26. What year where substitutes first used? Allan Jones. Calgary, Canada.

Sting Ray says: Substitutes were first used in English football league games from the start of the 65/66 season. Everton's first ever substitute was John Hurst in a league match at Stoke City, on 28th August 1965.

25. Who did Alan Ball play his last game for Everton against? Thank You. GRAEME CREWE. (30/07/07)

Sting Ray says: Alan's last game for Everton was against Derby County away at the Baseball ground on 18th December 1971. Everton lost that game 2-0.

24. Hi stingray my lad has really got into Everton and is finding it hard to get info on the 85 cup winners cup. He is trying to find out the goal scorers for each round and the team that played the final. We rang the club but they couldn't help! can you? As much info as possible please. Stu. (30/07/07)

Sting Ray says:
Final. Wed 15th May 1985. (in Rotterdam) Att: 40,000. Everton 3 Rapid Vienna 1. Scorers: Gray, Steven, Sheedy.
Team: Southall, Stevens, Mountfield, Ratcliffe, Van den Hauwe, Steven Reid, Bracewell, Sheedy, Gray, Sharp.

Semi-Final 2nd leg. Home. Wed 24th Apr 1985. Att: 49,476. Everton 3 Bayern Munich 1. Scorers: Sharp, Gray, Steven. (Won on agg 3-1)

Semi-Final 1st leg. Away. Wed 10th Apr 1985. Att: 67,000 Bayern Munich 0 Everton 0

3rd round 2nd leg. Away. Wed 20th Mar 1985. Fortuna Sittard 0 Everton 2. Att: 20,000 Scorers: Reid P Sharp G (Won on agg 5-0)

3rd round 1st leg. Home. Wed 6th Mar 1985. Everton 3 Fortuna Sittard 0. Att: 25,782 Scorers: Gray (3)

2nd round 2nd leg. Home. Wed 7th Nov 1984. Everton 3 Inter Bratislava 0. Att: 25,007 Scorers: Heath A Sharp G Sheedy K (Won on agg 4-0)

2nd round 1st leg. Away. Wed 24th Oct 1984. Inter Bratislava 0 Everton 1. Att: 15,000 Scorer: Bracewell.

1st round 2nd leg. Home. Tue 2nd Oct 1984. Everton 1 UC Dublin 0. Att: 16,277.
Scorer: Sharp (Won On agg 1-0)

1st round 1st leg. Away. Wed 19th Sep 1984. UC Dublin 0 Everton 0. Att: 9,750.

22. Could you please tell me what club Alex Young joined after he left Everton? Joe Strummer. (27/05/07)

Sting Ray says: The Golden Vision left Goodison in 1968 to become Irish club, Glentoran's player manager. He only stayed a few weeks before he joined Stockport County but was forced to retire in August 1969 because of a knee injury.

21. I am writing an Encyclopedia of Scottish Football. I wonder if you can help me with a problem. I refer to the British League Cup of 1902, sometimes referred to as the Glasgow Exhibition Trophy. Everton drew 1-1 with Rangers at Goodison on May 1st, then lost 2-3 on May 3rd at Celtic Park. It was to provide funds for the victims of the Ibrox disaster of 1902. I wonder if you or any of your readers on your excellent and informative website can tell me who scored the goals for Everton. I have the Rangers goalscorers, but have been able to find a book or a website which can give me that information. You may have read my book "Wee Troupie" about Alec Troup who played for Everton from 1923 until 1930 and who took the corner kick from which Dixie Dean scored his marvellous header on May 5th 1928. I hope you can help. Thank you, David Potter (22/03/07)

Sting Ray says: The competition (the Glasgow Exhibition Trophy) was created by Glasgow Rangers in order to raise funds for the families of the Ibrox Stadium Disaster victims and was played between the winners and runners-up of both the Scottish and English leagues. Celtic and Rangers represented Scotland, which Sunderland and Everton were the English participants.

The first semi-final at Celtic Park, saw Celtic thrash Sunderland 5:1 on 30 April 1902.

Then on 1 May 1902, Everton drew 1:1 with Rangers at Goodison Park after extra time, in the other semi-final.

Everton's goal-scorer was Alex 'Sandy' Young and the team was:

Kitchen (gk); Eccles, Watson, Wolstenholme, Blyth, Abbott, Taylor, Brearley, Young, Bell, Dilly.

Two days later (3 May 1902), Everton and Rangers played a replay at Ibrox Park, with Rangers winning 3:2.

Everton's scorers were John Brearley and Tom Dilly, and the team was:

Kitchen (gk); Henderson, Robert Balmer, Rankin, Clark, Abbott, Taylor, Brearley, Young, Bell, Dilly.

The final was played on 17 June 1902 at Cathkin Park, Glasgow with Celtic beating Rangers 3:2 after extra time thanks to a hat-trick by Quinn for Celtic with Hamilton and Speedie for Rangers in front of 12,000 people.

The teams were:
Celtic - McPherson (gk); Watson, Battles, Loney, Marshall, Orr, Crawford, Campbell, Quinn, McDermott, Hamilton.

Rangers - Dickie (gk); A.Smith, Crawford, Gibson, Stark, Robertson, Lennie, Walker, Hamilton, Speedie, N.Smith.
Thanks to Steve Flanagan.

20. Whilst watching Everton v Man U from 1985 on ESPN the other night, we had a guy called Curran (I think his first name is Terry) playing for us. I don’t recall him playing a major role in us winning the title and Cup Winners Cup that year. Can you tell me: Who did we sign him from? How much for? How many times did he play for us? How many goals he scored? Did he get a championship medal that year? Who did we sell him on to? How long was he on our books? Regards. Colin. Wirral. (14/11/06)

Sting Ray Says: Howard Kendall brought TC on loan from Sheffield United in the winter of 1982/83 season. He had a great start and the fans loved him as he dribbled down the right wing to provide chance after chance for the goal shy forwards. He played in 7 games scoring his only goal for the club in a 5-0 thrashing of Luton. Everton won 3 and drew 2 of those games. Unfortunately, Edward returned to Sheffield when he couldn't agree terms. Out of the blue he signed for £90,000 the following September. The second time around he suffered injuries and was never the same player. He was freed in 1985. The game against Man Utd you refer to was his last league game he played for Everton. In all he played 23 games scoring 1 goal. Some say he got a Championship medal but he only started 4 league games plus 4 as sub that season. In 1990 he was player manager of Goole Town, his 16th club.

19. In the year Everton won promotion from Div 2, could you let me know the first three home games and the gate? In the year after in Div 1 what where the first three home games and the gate. Mike Kendrick. (26/10/06)

Sting Ray Says: Everton spent three seasons in Division 2, before returning to the top flight in 1954/55, where we have stayed ever since, the longest ever by any other team. Everton's biggest home attendance in 1953/54 was in 1-0 home win against Huddersfield, when a staggering 62,865 saw the game. Our average home attendance was 44,493.

Season 1953/1954 - Division 2 - First 3 Home Games

Season 1954/1955 - Division 1 - First 3 Home Games

18. Bernie Wright, possibly the worst player ever to pull on the blue shirt - How many games did he play & what happened to him after he (thankfully) left us? Al Tutt. (25/09/06)

Sting Ray Says: Bernie Wright, nicknamed Bernie The Bolt signed for Everton in Feb 1972 from Walsall. He made his debut against them across the park, but only played 10 times scoring 2 goals for the club before having his contract terminated for 'serious misconduct'. It is rumoured that this 'misconduct' occurred when he discovered he'd been dropped and chased the club manager around the training ground. He was also known to like a pint and a fight.

He returned to Walsall in 1973 where he became a favourite with the fans, scoring 48 goals in 196 matches before moving on to Port Vale in 1978. He also played for two years at Kidderminster Harriers during the early eighties.

17. My 1st derby at home I think was 84ish at night and seem to think Paul Wilkinson scored a header, and seem to recall a player with white/grey hair who was he? If you find out details could you let me know Date/Score and teams. THANKS. Carl Cavell. (07/09/06)

Sting Ray Says: The boy in question was Robbie Wakenshaw. Everton won 1-0 on Thursday 23rd May 1985. Att: 51,045. Paul Wilkinson scored the only goal.

Everton had already beaten the shite twice that season at Wembley 1-0 to win the Charity shield and at their place 1-0 when Sharpie scored that goal! Everton had already clinched the title with 5 games to go. The derby was played after we had won the European Cup Winners Cup on Wed 15th May 1985 and lost to Man Utd in the FA Cup Final on Sat 18th May 1985. Howard Kendall had rested some of his stars.

Everton's team was: Southall, Stevens, Ratcliffe, Van Den Hauwe, Bailey, Harper, Richardson, Atkins, Sheedy, Gray, Wilkinson. Sub: Wakenshaw

Robbie burst onto the scene when he scored on his debut in a 1-1 draw against Man Utd at Goodison the previous season. Sadly Robbie only started 2 games plus 3 as sub, scoring just 1 goal for Everton. Robbie went on to play in 69 games scoring 12 goals for Carlisle Utd, Doncaster Rovers, Rochdale, and Crewe.

Sting Ray Says: You've havin a Laff, Tim! "Nothing But The Best".

14. Bumped into ex-Ipswich keeper Paul Cooper in Tenerife a couple of weeks ago. I mentioned the 85 quarter final where Sheedy scored a free kick only for it to be disallowed, then banged the re-take in the other corner just for good measures. Paul wasn't sure if he was in goal that day and I'm not to sure myself.... Great site, Derek Hughes, West Derby. (30/08/06)

Sting Ray Says: I think Paul was having you on, as he WAS in goal. It was 9th March 1985. The game ended 2-2 at Goodison. The replay was on 13th March 1985 at Portman Road. Everton won 1-0 with a Graeme Sharpe penalty.

13. Could you settle an argument? Did Ray Wilson receive a championship medal at Everton in 1970, or had he left by then? Alan Holt. (06/06/06)

Sting Ray Says: Ray had left Everton for Oldham in July 1969, so he never won a championship medal in 1970. He did win a cup double in 1966, winning the FA Cup with Everton and the World Cup with England both at Wembley Stadium. Ray played 114 times for Everton, but never scored a goal.

12. In the 1970/71 season (I think), Everton played a 3rd/4th place match in the FA Cup against Stoke City (I think) and lost 3-2. Do you happen to know the team that day, the date of the match and the Everton goalscorers, please? Tony Downing. (17/04/06)

Sting Ray Says: Harry Catterick's side lost 3-2 to Stoke City on Friday 7th May 1971 (the eve of the FA Cup final) in a 3rd/4th play-off match at Crystal Palace. Only 5,031 watched the game. This match was scrapped the following year. Everton's goalscorers were Alan Whittle and Alan Ball. Stoke's goalscorers were Mike Bernard, Ritchie, O.G. The teams were:
Everton: Rankin, Wright, H. Newton, Kendall, Labone, Harvey, Whittle, Ball, Johnson, Lyons, Morrissey.
Stoke City: Banks, Marsh, Pejic, Bernard, Skeels, Lees, Haslegrave, Greenhoff, Ritchie, Mahoney, Burrows.
Thanks to Tony Kirkham, Steve Nolan & Steve Leddy for their info.

11. Please can you settle a pub argument. In the seventies Mike Bernard got sent off in a European game at Goodison, who were we playing? Many thanks. Brian Anders. (13/04/06)

Sting Ray Says: Mike was sent off in a Uefa cup 1st round 0-0 draw against AC Milan at Goodison Park on 17th September 1975. Everton lost the tie 1-0 on aggregate. The team at Goodison was: Lawson, Bernard, Seargent, Pearson, Kenyon, Lyons, Buckley(Clements), Dobson, Latchford, Smallman(Hurst), Jones. Mike was signed by Harry Catterick for £140,000 in May 1972. He played in midfield, but was converted to right back where he made the majority of his appearances. Bernard played 161 games for Everton scoring 8 goals.

10. What was the date of Gerry Humphreys' goal vs. Sheffield Wednesday at Goodison in the sixties - one of the best goals ever seen at Goodison ? Cheers. Steve. (22/03/06)

Sting Ray Says: 14th September 1968. Everton beat Sheff wed 3-0 at Goodison with goals from Jimmy Husband, Johnny Morrissey and a cracker from Gerry Humphries. Gerry played 12 games for the first team scoring 2 goals between 1963 and 1970 when he joined Crystal Palace.

9. Dixie Dean scored the famous sixty league goals in one season. How many goals did he score in all competitions that season? Thanks, Mark (Toronto).

Sting Ray Says: In 1927/28 Dixie scored 60 goals in 39 league games. He scored another 3 in 2 FA Cup games. He scored another 37 goals in 15 games for England and Representative games. Making a staggering 100 goals in 56 games. Other records:

60 league goals in one season 1927-28
100 goals scored in 1927-28
100 league goals before he was 21
200 league goals in 199 games at 23 years old
300 league goals in 310 games
379 league goals in 437 games
349 league goals for one beloved club Everton
37 hat-tricks in his career
200 goals for Everton in 198 games
More than 20 league goals for nine consecutive seasons
More than 30 league goals in four seasons
Averaged 0.94 goals a game
473 goals in 502 matches
16 International caps scoring 18 goals

Dixie's Trophy     Dixie Dean Legend     I Saw Dixie Score 60

8. In the football league game 1995/1996 season at Hillsborough do you know who scored Everton's goals? Thanks very much. D Parfitt. (22/02/06)

Sting Ray Says: Everton won 5-2. Goals from Kanchelskis (3), Amokachi, Ebbrell.

7. Could you tell me the everton goalscorers for the FA Cup replay 27 January 1988 against Sheffield Wednesday (at Hillsborough)? I think Sharp scored three, who scored the other two? D Parfitt. (22/02/06)

Sting Ray Says: Sharp (3), Heath, Snodin.

6. Who scored Everton's goal in a 6-1 thrashing by Real Madrid?

Sting Ray Says: Paul Power

2. Question: In 1935-36 our first match of the season was against Derby, could you please tell me what the score was and who scored the goals ? !!!!!! Mark Watkinson.

Sting Ray Says: 31st August 1935, Everton 4 Derby 0, Goalscorers: Dean, Geldard, Leyfield, Stevenson. Team : E Sagar, B Williams, W Cook, C Britton, T White, J Thomson, A Geldard, W Miller, W Dean, A Stevenson, C Leyfield.