Liverpool's origins lie with their neighbours Everton. Founded in 1878, Everton moved to Anfield in 1884, a facility owned by the club's president, John Houlding, a former Lord Mayor of Liverpool. In 1892 a dispute arose between Houlding and the Everton board of directors, over the club's tenancy of the ground. The annual rent had risen from £100 in 1884 to £250 in 1892; Houlding wanted to sell the ground to the club, which in turn wished to agree a long-term rental. Houlding would only agree to this on the basis of a rent at a level unacceptable to the club. Negotiations having failed, the directors decided to leave Anfield and find another ground, leaving Houlding with an empty stadium. His response was to form a new football club to occupy the stadium. He attempted to retain the team name "Everton" by registering the name "Everton Football Club and Athletic Grounds Company, Limited" with Companies House, but the Football League decided that the name belonged to the departed Everton club, which acquired new premises at Goodison Park. Houlding therefore adopted the name "Liverpool Football Club" for his new venture. Having established his new club, Houlding applied for membership of the First Division of the Football League, rather than the newly formed Second Division. The League, unimpressed with this premature application, refused to admit the club, which instead joined the Lancashire League. Liverpool played their first match on 1 September 1892, a pre-season friendly match against Rotherham Town, which they won 7–1. The team Liverpool fielded against Rotherham was composed entirely of Scottish players – manager John McKenna had recruited the players after a scouting trip to Scotland – so they became known as the "team of Macs". Liverpool's first match in the Lancashire League, which they won 8–0, was against Higher Walton. 200 spectators attended the match, but as the twenty-two match season proceeded, and Liverpool continued to win, attendances increased. Approximately 2,000 people watched Liverpool defeat South Shore in the penultimate match of the season at Anfield.
Liverpool's first season was successful, as the club narrowly won the Lancashire League title on goal average, over Blackpool. They also won the Liverpool District Cup by defeating Everton. The subsequent theft of the league and cup trophies cost the club £130 to replace them. Following their success, Liverpool reapplied to the Football League. This application was successful, mainly because of the resignations of Accrington and Bootle from the Second Division. Liverpool's original strip had been blue and white chequered shirts and white shorts, similar to those of their neighbours Everton. From 1894 they changed to red shirts and white shorts. The club's first match in the Football League was against Middlesbrough Ironopolis on 2 September 1893, which they won 2–0, with Malcolm McVean scoring Liverpool's first goal in League football. Liverpool's first season in the Football League saw them unbeaten in 28 matches, 22 of which they won. They finished at the top of the Second Division, but as at that time there was no automatic promotion to the First Division, they were entered into the test match system. This involved a knockout match with the bottom team in the First Division, Newton Heath (later renamed Manchester United). Liverpool won, and took their place in the First Division. Their stay in the division lasted only a season, as they finished in bottom position, with seven wins from thirty matches. They were relegated to the Second Division, after facing Bury in the test match and losing 1–0, despite Bury playing most of the match with ten men after their goalkeeper was sent off.
As more people began to watch Liverpool, the ground capacity was expanded. The Main Stand was built, which helped to bring regular attendances of around 20,000. Liverpool's stay in the Second Division was brief, as they secured promotion to the First Division during the 1895–96 season – twelve wins in their final fourteen matches gave them a first-place finish, followed by success in the test matches over Small Heath (later renamed Birmingham City) and West Bromwich Albion. After winning promotion, the club appointed Tom Watson, who was managing Sunderland, as their new manager. Watson's record of three League championships in four seasons with Sunderland convinced Houlding to make Watson the highest-paid manager in England, with a yearly salary of £300. Liverpool won their first League championship in 1901. Next season the Main Stand at the iconic Stadium will be one of the largest all seater single stand’s in European football and a state of the art facility for fans to see the Reds play. They are adding around 8,500 seats - taking the overall capacity to around 54,000 and protecting the special Anfield atmosphere. There are a number of stadium and memorabilia tours available. The LFC Story & The Steven Gerrard Collection (Museum Only) is £9.00 for Adults and £6.00 for Children. Centenary Stand Tour & The Steven Gerrard Collection is £17.00 for Adults and £11.00 for Children. Liverpool Football Club has a total 111 wheelchair bays. This is split in the following ways: 55 wheelchair spaces are allocated to season ticket holders; 8 wheelchair spaces are allocated to visiting supporters; up to 48 wheelchair spaces are available for a further sale. There is availability for up to two personal assistants to accompany the wheelchair user. Wheelchair user spaces are allocated in Anfield Road, the Paddock and Kop stands. Induction loops are fitted at the Ticket Office for supporters with hearing impairment. Visually impaired supporters are able to order a headset in advance of the game, please advise if you require a headset at the time of purchasing your match ticket. Please note all the home match commentary feed is in house. Alternative formats are available in advance of a matchday but will not be available to purchase on the day. Should you require an alternative format please telephone 0151 264 2500 or email disability@liverpoolfc.com . Liverpool Football Club has a number of ambulant spaces generally situated in the Paddock with availability for one personal assistant. Please note that they do not limit the amount of ambulant tickets that are available. A headset with full commentary will also be provided upon request for supporters with a visual impairment.
Location : Anfield Rd, Liverpool, Merseyside L4 0TH
Transport: Lime Street (National) 2 miles. Sandhills (MerseyRail) Soccer Bus on match days. Bus routes 17 and 27 stop outside.
Capacity : 45,276.
Museum Tours : 10:00 to 15:00 Daily excluding Match Days on the hour.
Tickets : Museum / Tours - Varying Prices or see above for examples.
Tel: 0151 260 6677
