Goodbye to a spiritual home

WHAT a contrasting season it has been for our two big football clubs. Liverpool have become Premier League champions, inspired by new boss Arne Slot, while Everton - under David Moyes - have edged away from a worrying spell at the other end of the table to concentrate with a clear head on their impending historic move to Bramley Moore Dock.

- Ken Rogers

Ironically, the Blues have never actually played in Everton, although links between club and district are unbreakable. The fledgling St Domingo's Methodist church began our city's football journey back in 1878, playing in Stanley Park before becoming EFC in 1879.

In 1883/84 they moved across Priory Road to their second home, Coney Green, owned by Mr J Cruit. Primitive dressing rooms were built as the club claimed its first trophy, the Liverpool Cup.

Unfortunately, Mr Cruit did not take kindly to the ever-increasing noise level at games. Within a year, this took Everton back across the Park to one of two meadows owned by well-known local brewers, the Orrell brothers.

In 1884, the club's officials set about building their first truly proper football home. Oh yes, it was called Anfield!

Everton would win the Liverpool Cup again, enter the FA Cup for the first time and become founder members of the new Football League in 1888.