Everton FC have contested more seasons in the top flight than any other team and are the fifth most successful English club in terms of major trophies won.

Most of Everton's success, however, came in their early years, with the current squad boasting the comparatively modest finishes of fourth, sixth and fifth in the Premier League under current manager David Moyes from 2004 to 2008.

Everton, or Toffees, started out in 1878 as St Domingo Football Club, when church members organised a team so they could play another sport when the cricket season was over. The club was renamed Everton a year later when people from outside the parish asked to play.

Everton Football Club, founder members of the Football League in 1888, won the first of their nine League titles in the 1890-91 season and again in 1915.

The signing of Dixie Dean in 1925 saw the start of the Toffees' first sustained period of success. His 60 goals in 39 League matches, to seal the First Division crown in 1928, is still a top-flight record.

Further title successes followed in 1932 and 1939, but immediately after the Second World War Everton FC struggled to make an impact and, after a brief spell in Division Two, Everton FC gained promotion in 1954 and have stayed in the top league ever since.

The 1960s, under manager Harry Catterick, brought more success to the Toffees, with League titles in 1962-63 and 1969-70, with an FA Cup win - the club's third of five - sandwiched in between.

Blank years followed until the return of ex-player Howard Kendall in 1981, heralding a third golden period. Under Kendall, Everton FC claimed the football League title twice, in 1985 and 1987, the FA Cup in 1984 and their only European trophy the Cup Winners' Cup in 1985.

Since then, and despite turning to ex-players Joe Royle, Dave Watson and Kendall on two further occasions Everton have had little tangible reward for their stay in the top flight, except their fifth FA Cup win in 1995.