A stunning limited edition coffee table book, Parklife, celebrates Everton's 133 years at Goodison Park with over 200 powerful and rarely-seen pictures. The book captures the history of the Grand Old Lady in a way that goes beyond regular match action, featuring unexpected rarities.
Unique and Rare Images
Among the highlights are a nun playing on the Goodison Park pitch in full habit, an Alsatian dog saving a shot at the Gwladys Street End wearing an Everton kit, and 1970s big-money signing Joe Harper nodding a ball past his wife in a checked jacket and polo-neck sweater. The oldest action shot shows Sammy Chedgzoy in the 1920s, while a 1926 photo of the Bullens Road Stand under construction may feature a teenage Dixie Dean in the foreground.
Behind the Scenes
Everton staff spent years scouring newspaper photographic archives, both physical and digital, for shots that tell the Goodison story. David Prentice and Darren Griffiths traveled to Watford to access archives of defunct newspapers like the Daily Sketch and Daily Herald, as well as current titles such as the Daily Mirror, Daily Express, and Liverpool ECHO. They also visited the Press Association offices in London and utilized Everton's own archive.
Historic Moments
The book chronicles the changing face of Everton, including a remarkable 1967 aerial shot showing the queue for FA Cup tickets against Liverpool almost snaking back to Anfield. European nights feature prominently, with shots from Goodison's first European Cup tie against Inter, visits from Borussia Moenchengladbach and AC Milan, and rare images of Ujpest Dosza in 1965, Nuremburg later that year, and a 1958 friendly against Fortuna FC.
Final Chapter and Support
The final chapter focuses on Everton's emotional last match at Goodison in May 2025, from on-pitch action to behind-the-scenes moments. The UK watch brand Christopher Ward, Everton's official chronograph partners, supported the project. CEO Mike France, a lifelong Evertonian, helped select many images. He recalled a photo of his father's favorite player Dave Hickson and memories of the 1970 title-clinching match against West Brom.
Parklife is on sale now for £30 at club stores and all good bookshops, with a 10% discount available at reachsportshop.com.
