Goodison Park, the world's first purpose-built football ground, opened its doors on August 24, 1892. The crowd of 12,000 watched not a game of football, but track and field athletics followed by a fireworks display. The first match was to follow nine days later, when Everton beat Bolton Wanderers 4-2.Other firsts for the storied ground include:
- Goodison was the first in England to have covered dugouts (1931).
- It was the first ground to install undersoil heating.
- It was the first ground to be visited by a reigning monarch (King George V, 1913)
- It was the first British ground to have double-decker stands on all four sides and the first to have a three-tier stand.
- It has staged more top-flight matches than any other ground in the U.K.
- It is the only English ground to host a World Cup semi-final (1966).
Other interesting Goodison facts:
- Both Dixie Dean and Harry Catterick died at Goodison Park.
- The most goals at home in a single season happened at Goodison (84 in 1932-33).
- The pitch is slightly longer and considerably wider than the 110 x 70 standard.
- Because St Luke's church is situated between the Main and Gwladys Street stands, early Sunday kick-offs are not allowed so as to not disrupt the church service.
- In 1986, Everton scored in 47 consecutive home matches, outscoring the opposition 123 to 38. Graeme Sharp scored 32 of these.
- Everton were unbeaten at home for nearly two years, between September 16, 1961 and August 23, 1963, winning 34 and drawing 9.
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