Retro Everton Shirt – The School of Science Returns

Everton's story begins in the church halls of St Domingo's in Everton, Liverpool, where a Methodist congregation formed a football team in 1878. By 1880 the club had adopted its current name, and within eight years it had helped found the Football League itself. Their first league title arrived in the 1890–91 season, and Everton quickly established themselves as one of England's dominant forces in the early twentieth century, adding further championships in 1915 and 1928.

The 1930s brought what many consider the club's first golden era. Manager Will Cuff and then Theo Kelly oversaw a side that won the league in 1932 and the FA Cup in 1933 – completing a remarkable double of top-flight success that set a standard future generations would strive to match. Dixie Dean, whose extraordinary 60-league-goal tally in 1927–28 remains an all-time English record, was the figurehead of this age, a colossus whose legend still looms over Goodison.

The post-war decades brought fluctuation, including a shock relegation to the Second Division in 1951 – a genuine catastrophe for a club of Everton's stature. They returned swiftly, but it was the 1960s under Harry Catterick that truly reignited the flame. Back-to-back title contention produced championships in 1963 and 1970, with the latter 'Holy Trinity' midfield of Harvey, Ball and Kendall becoming folklore.

The absolute pinnacle came under Howard Kendall in the 1980s. The 1984–85 season delivered the First Division title, the European Cup Winners' Cup, and the FA Cup final, in what remains the greatest season in the club's history. They followed it with another league title in 1987. Tragically, the Heysel disaster and subsequent English clubs' ban from Europe robbed Everton of the chance to test themselves further on the continent's biggest stage.

The Premier League era has been a test of patience and identity. Everton have remained top-flight ever since their 1954 promotion, a continuous run of over 70 years in England's elite that is itself a badge of honour. Derby matches against Liverpool – the Merseyside Derby – have produced some of the most ferocious and memorable occasions in English football, a rivalry that divides families and defines the city. With a new riverside stadium now under construction, the next chapter is about to begin.

The pantheon of Everton legends stretches across every era of the game. Dixie Dean stands alone at the summit – arguably the greatest English centre-forward of the twentieth century, a man whose goalscoring feats bordered on the supernatural. His statue outside Goodison Park greets every supporter as a reminder of what the club can produce at its very best.

The 1960s golden generation was anchored by Alan Ball, the fiery World Cup winner who arrived from Blackpool and immediately became the heartbeat of Catterick's side, alongside Colin Harvey and Howard Kendall. Ball's energy, technique and will to win made him one of the most beloved players ever to pull on the royal blue jersey.

The 1980s dynasty had Neville Southall between the sticks – widely regarded as the greatest goalkeeper Britain has ever produced. His combination of reflexes, positioning and sheer presence made him virtually unbeatable on his day, winning PFA Player of the Year in 1985. Up front, Graeme Sharp provided the physical menace, while Kevin Sheedy's left foot delivered moments of genuine genius.

Gary Lineker's brief but brilliant spell, Peter Reid's combative midfield excellence, and Trevor Steven's elegant wing play all contributed to one of English football's most complete squads. Later, Duncan Ferguson – 'Big Dunc' – became a cult hero of an entirely different variety: raw power, aerial dominance and a relationship with the Gwladys Street End that was almost spiritual.

Wayne Rooney's emergence as a teenager in the early 2000s gave Everton supporters a fleeting glimpse of something extraordinary before he departed for Manchester United – a bittersweet chapter that still provokes strong feelings on Merseyside. Tim Cahill, Mikel Arteta and Leighton Baines later became fan favourites who represented the club with distinction.

The Everton retro shirt catalogue is a treasure trove for any serious collector. The club's royal blue home kit has been a constant thread through history, though the specific shades, cuts and details have evolved in fascinating ways across the decades.

The 1980s kits are the most coveted by collectors worldwide. The Le Coq Sportif shirts of the 1984–86 era – worn during the championship and Cup Winners' Cup seasons – are the holy grail. Simple, elegant and immediately recognisable, the plain royal blue with white pinstripe detailing and the NEC sponsor are icons of their time. The 1986–89 Hummel partnership produced bolder designs with chevron detailing on the sleeves that feel quintessentially mid-80s.

Moving into the 1990s, Umbro took over and produced kits that ranged from the classic to the experimental. The shadow-pattern shirts of the mid-90s have aged surprisingly well and represent excellent value for collectors today. The early Premier League era brought Danka as sponsor and kits that capture a very specific moment in English football's commercial evolution.

The early 2000s brought more flamboyant design choices – some embraced, some not – but each tells the story of its era. Shirts worn during Rooney's debut campaign carry particular significance.

When seeking a retro Everton shirt, the royal blue home variants are always most desirable, though the white away shirts from the 1980s – particularly the Le Coq Sportif iterations – are also highly prized. With 888 options available in our collection, there is something for every generation of Blues supporter.