The Origins Of Everton's Nickname 'The Toffees'

But where does the traditional nickname of The Toffees come from Rumours abound about the origins of the sweet-toothed name but the principal tale behind Everton FC fans are known as Toffeemen might surprise you. We've delved into the rich history of the club to find out why the Blues are so closely related to sugar, spice and all things nice.

The Two Toffee Shops

Not surprisingly, the origin of the nickname the Toffees is linked to Everton FCs association with local toffee shops. The area of Everton has seen a number of toffee shops grace its streets since as far back as the 1700s, but the two most famous are those linked to the football club: Ye Anciente Everton Toffee House and Mother Nobletts Toffee Shop.

Both located at key locations in the clubs long history, the toffee shops served fans of EFC with sweet treats and match-day delights while watching the Blues play.

Despite their shared fan base, however, the two shops were in competition. And its thanks to that rivalry that the most popular Blues nickname was coined: the imaginative marketing strategies dreamed up by the shops helped cement the name the Toffees into the footballing zeitgeist and ensure that Everton fans would forever more be known by their quirky epithet.

Ye Ancient Everton Toffee House

Located just a stones throw away from the Queens Head Hotel in Village Street, where St Domingos Football Club was renamed Everton Football Club in November 1879, Ye Ancient Everton Toffee House was a sweet shop run by Old Ma Bushell. Famous for her Everton Toffees, in the early years of the club, Old Ma Bushell became a must-visit stop-off for hungry fans making their way to watch the Everton matches firstly at Stanley Park, then Priory Road and even as they made their way to Anfield (which was Evertons ground before it became Liverpool FCs).

Mother Nobletts Toffee Shop

Meanwhile, another Toffee Shop (owned by Mother Noblett) opened near Goodison Park and gained increasing popularity after Everton moved from Anfield in 1892 to the now famous blues' stadium. Hoping to snatch custom from her rival Old Ma Bushell, Mother Noblett invented Everton Mints.

Toffees or Mints?

Despite the similarities in origin, the two sweets sold by the rival toffee shops were remarkably different. Mother Nobletts Everton Mints had a toffee centre, with a hard sugar shell that was striped black and white. The colours were apparently meant to reflect an old strip worn by Everton FC, making the mints popular amongst fans.

In contrast, Old Ma Bushell's Everton Toffees were traditional English toffees, made from boiling raw sugar with water before adding butter and essence of lemon. Some old recipes suggest that ginger was also added to create an unusual flavor to the sweets, while in A Treatise on the Art of Boiling Sugar (1865), Henry Weatherley argues that the old process of making it, adding butter with the sugar, spoils the flavour but remained traditional.

Old Ma Bushell isn't credited with inventing Everton Toffee's  that accolade lies with Molly Bushell. The famous lady invented the sweet back in the 1760s from a house on Everton Brow.

The Tradition of the Everton Toffee Lady

In the race to earn business from busy match days, the two toffee shops were forced to think up imaginative marketing ideas to advertise their famous sweet treats. And Old Ma Bushell (of Everton Toffees fame) struck gold.

The introduction of the Everton Mints by Mother Noblett saw a quick decline in popularity of Old Ma Bushell's toffees - Old ma Bushell realised she had to act fast to regain custom.

Aware that her devoted customers were stuck inside the Goodison grounds for most of the match days, Old Ma Bushell gained permission from the Club owners to distribute her Toffees to the crowds inside the grounds.

Enlisting the help of her beautiful grand-daughter Jemima Bushell , Old Ma Bushell ensured that Everton fans could enjoy the toffees pre-game by making the girl dress in her best finery (including a large bonnet) and offer waiting fans individually wrapped Everton Toffees from a basket, giving them a taste for the delicious treats.

And from this masterclass in interactive marketing, a tradition was born. The Everton Toffee Lady is still a visible sight at home games today, with a lucky teenage girl chosen from the Everton Supporters Club every game to perform the famous role.

And this time-honored, ceremonial event cemented the Evertonian's as Toffees or Toffeemen in the footballing world. Just imagine if Mother Noblett had been more successful we might have been cheering with other Mints or Minties!

Just an Old Wives' Tale?

Despite the riveting story above, some people have suggested that the tale of the Toffee Shops is a fabricated tale and that the famous Blues nickname comes from an even older name, The Taffies which commemorates the clubs connections in history to Liverpools nearby neighbourhood country, Wales.

Whether true, or not, this fascinating tale of Toffee Shop rivalry adds to Everton FCs rich and varied history something we at The Dixie Dean Hotel cant get enough of.

In 1925, Everton FC signed the legendary Dixie Dean who went on to score an incredible 60 leagues goals, helping the club win their third League title in 1929, another one in 1932 and even the FA Cup in 1933. The top goal-scoring of all time at the club, with 349 goals in 299 appearances, Dixie has gone down as one of Liverpools most treasured icons and a Blues footballing legend.

In celebration of the majestic Blues player, and the incredible history behind Everton FC, the luxurious Dixie Dean Hotel will celebrate all things Toffee with opulent rooms, luxurious amenities and a premium bar and restaurant and events space. Plus, you'll be able to enjoy exclusive memorabilia from Dixies life both on and off the pitch, kindly donated by the Dean family.