EVERTON

THEO KELLY’S TIE

Everton was initially an early adopter of an emblem on match shirts. In 1920 they had the club’s initials in white against a blue background, but this emblem was short-lived and for the next for 40 years Everton became known as a club that played without a club crest on their kit. The club did not, however, lack a proper emblem.

Everton’s logo today reflects their local roots, and dates all the way back to 1938. That is when the club secretary, Theo Kelly, was given the task of designing an emblem to adorn the ties worn by club employees. It took him four months to create the design that would represent the club for decades to come. Kelly had decided that the main motif should be Prince Rupert’s Tower, the rounded building known locally as the Everton Lock-Up. This important landmark in the Everton area of Liverpool was erected to house drunkards and criminals. Kelly chose also to include two laurel wreaths, since they are symbols of victory. The Latin motto Nil Satis Nisi Optimum, which translates as ‘Nothing but the best is good enough’, also made its debut.

The tie was worn by Kelly himself at the first match of the 1938 season. This was now the club’s official emblem, but 40 years passed before it appeared on match shirts in 1978. Since then, it has been redesigned six times – but every version has included the tower.

An infamous redesign in 2013 met with enormous criticism from the fans, who missed the Latin motto and the laurel wreaths. The club was accused of having succumbed to the will of the equipment moguls and the fans organised a petition, which amassed 22,000 signatures. In response, Everton issued an official apology and invited fans to help design the new version. The crest from the next season was approved by 80 per cent of fans and has been worn by players from the 2014 season onwards.

CLUB: Everton FC

NICKNAMES: The Toffees, The People’s Club, The Blues

FOUNDED: 1878

STADIUM: Goodison Park, Liverpool (39,572 capacity)

HISTORIC PLAYERS: Neville Southall, Duncan Ferguson, Dixie Dean, Graeme Sharp Kevin Sheedy, Kevin Ratcliffe and Wayne Rooney

1983–1991. Theo Kelly’s historic emblem was simplified so that it could be more easily embroidered onto the team shirts. The Latin motto disappeared and the club initials were given more space. Both the tower and the wreaths were there during the period that would be Everton’s most successful: two league titles, one FA Cup and one League Cup triumph.

1991–2000. At the start of the 1990s the original emblem was recreated, now only in blue and white. The club name was removed and replaced with the Latin motto which, with the exception of one year, has remained ever since.

2013–2014. The world of football was being modernised and Everton wanted to keep up. Thus, they unveiled this emblem for the 2013/14 season – to a storm of criticism from fans.

2014–present. On October 3, 2014, Everton introduced three different emblems and asked the fans to choose their favourite. Eighty per cent of the club’s registered members took part in the vote and this design was the clear winner. With the motto and laurel wreaths back in place, Theo Kelly’s design is still going strong.

Graeme Sharp, skipper Kevin Ratcliffe and Neville Southall do a lap of honour after securing the 1984/85 first division league title.