Featured / Local

PSP’s Everton FC primer

Everton FC is coming to Philadelphia tonight.

While the club doesn’t have the same history of success as Saturday’s opponent, Real Madrid, it certainly has a rich and storied history.

Here are a few facts about the city of Liverpool’s bluest club:

  • Founded in 1878, the same year Wanamaker’s  in Philadelphia became the first department store to install electric lights.
  • They were founding members of the Football League in 1888, and their first league title came in 1891.
  • Everton moved to its current stadium at Goodison Park in 1892.
  • The Toffees have won the English league title nine times, 4th most in history.
  • The club nickname, The Toffees, has no single explanation, but the most accepted is that toffee has always been sold at the club’s grounds. First at their original Stanley Park location and then at Goodison.
  • Everton’s last major trophy was the 1995 FA Cup.

Everton have not made any signings this summer. Perpetually operating on the edge of financial stability, manager David Moyes tends to reinforce his squad with loanees throughout the season. Many will remember Landon Donovan’s successful loan spell at the club and the transfer speculation that followed. As has often been the case in recent years, Everton could not pony up enough cash to bring Donovan to the club on a permanent basis.

The Donovan case should worry Union fans. Philadelphia is loaded with young American talent, and Everton is loaded with financial difficulties. If some of the Union’s young guns make a particularly good impression tonight, it’s not out of the question that the English side could come calling when they need reinforcements in the January transfer window.

On the other side of that coin, Philly fans should keep an eye on Everton’s Spanish midfielder Mikael Arteta (far left in the above photo). Arteta is a supremely talented playmaker who can’t escape the injury bug. Should he continue to struggle to stay on the pitch, Arteta may see a move to MLS as a viable option.

The other man to keep an eye on is English midfielder Jack Rodwell. The rising talent is on Manchester United’s radar and is poised to have a breakout season. He will be asked to shoulder some of the goalscoring load on a team bereft of reliable strikers.

And if you’re looking to taunt the visitors, here are a few of Liverpool FC’s favorites:

They’re blue, they’re bitter, they’re not fit to kiss me sh*tter, Everton Everton!

If I had the wings of an angel, and I had the arse of a crow, I’d fly over Goodison tomorrow, and sh*t on the b*stards below!

Or stick with cheering. It’s going to be a fun night no matter what!

4 Comments

  1. I doubt Everton is going to steal anyone from the Union. And if they wanted one of our players on loan, the experience would be terrific for their return to MLS. I’d be all for it.

  2. rhinestone cowboy says:

    i work pretty close to ppl park at a pizza shop and before i left the guy in the picture in the middle and some guy wearing a union polo just came in and ordered. i didnt know that was their coach.

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