Everton

History

Everton Football Club was founded in 1878 by members of St. Domingo Methodist New Connexion Chapel in Breckfield Road North, Everton, as a year-round sports club. Renamed Everton in November 1879 after the local area, the club became one of the 12 founding members of the Football League in 1888 and won its first League Championship in 1890-91. A rent dispute at its original Anfield ground led to the formation of Liverpool FC in 1892, after which Everton moved to Goodison Park, its home for 133 years. The club's golden era came under Howard Kendall in the mid-1980s, winning two League titles (1984-85, 1986-87), an FA Cup (1984), and the European Cup Winners' Cup (1985). The 1995 FA Cup under Joe Royle was the last major trophy. In recent decades, Everton has struggled for silverware but maintained top-flight status, often narrowly avoiding relegation.

Business Model and Ownership

Everton generates revenue through matchday sales, broadcast rights, commercial partnerships, and merchandise. Under Farhad Moshiri (2016-2024), debt ballooned to approximately £1 billion due to heavy spending and high-interest loans. The Friedkin Group's takeover in December 2024 brought debt reduction and a £350 million refinancing package from JP Morgan to complete the new stadium. The club posted record turnover in the 2024-25 season, driven by the new stadium and increased commercial income. Everton's commercial portfolio includes a multi-year shirt sponsorship with Stake.com, a crypto casino and sportsbook, and a training kit partnership with Christopher Ward, a watchmaker. The club also operates an official online store, the Everton App, and Everton TV.

Competitive Position and Community Impact

Everton's long-standing rivalry with Liverpool (the Merseyside derby) defines much of its cultural identity. The club is one of only three to have been a founder of both the Football League and the Premier League. Despite recent on-pitch challenges, the club's academy (U21s/U18s) continues to develop talent. Everton in the Community (EitC) is the club's charitable arm, delivering social impact programmes across education, health, and inclusion. The new Hill Dickinson Stadium (opened August 2025, capacity 52,888) hosts Premier League matches, concerts, and conferences, with naming rights still pending.

Current Leadership and Direction

Dan Friedkin serves as chairman after The Friedkin Group's acquisition in December 2024. Angus Kinnear was appointed CEO during the 2024-25 season, succeeding interim CEO Colin Chong. David Moyes returned as first-team manager in January 2025 for his second stint. No other C-level executives (CFO, CTO, COO) were publicly confirmed in the available research. The club is focused on financial stability, maximizing revenue from the new stadium, and improving on-field performance under Moyes.