Everton’s U18s are looking to secure the club’s fourth FA Youth Cup, with Braiden Graham leading the charge for silverware.
Keith Southern’s side secured their spot in the quarter finals of the FA Youth Cup last week through their dramatic victory over Ipswich Town at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Everton’s youngsters will now play Manchester City’s U18s on Saturday, 14 March, with a decision waiting to be made on the venue.
The main talking points to come from Everton’s recent success in the youth divisions is through Braiden Graham.
Paul Tait praised Graham after scoring against Burnley’s U21s on Monday afternoon at Finch Farm, with the forward playing almost twice a week.
Is Braiden Graham ready for his Everton debut? 👀
Braiden Graham's Everton stats.
The 18-year-old will be expected to play against City next month, with Everton in search of their first FA Youth Cup in almost 30 years.
Tottenham Hotspur v Everton - Premier League 2
Photo by Kevin Hodgson/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
How many times have Everton won the FA Youth Cup?
Everton have already won the FA Youth Cup on three occasions in the club’s history.
MORE EVERTON STORIES
The three winning seasons include:
1965
1984
1998
Everton’s U23s did win the Premier League 2 back in the 2016/17 campaign, but the wait for the prestigious FA Youth Cup is now almost at 30 years.
Does David Moyes need to put more trust in Everton’s academy players? 😤
Surely some of these players can do better than Beto and Dwight McNeil! 😡
Everton striker Braiden Graham. Everton manager David Moyes.
Credit: Getty Images/Andrew Kearns – CameraSport/Visionhaus.
Manchester City, Everton’s opponents next month, saw their crown from 2024 taken off them last season by Aston Villa.
Southern’s side are facing the same City side that is four points clear at the top of the U18 Premier League.
When was the last time Everton won the FA Youth Cup?
Everton last got their hands on the FA Youth Cup back in 1998 when the Blues beat Blackburn Rovers over two legs.
The 1997/98 team was filled with household names for Everton fans who watched the first team through the early 2000s.
Francis Jeffers netted a goal in the second leg of the final and Leon Osman got his name on the scoresheet in the first leg.
There was also the likes of Richard Dunne and Tony Hibbert included in the side that got their hands on the FA Youth Cup that season.
How many times have Everton lost in the FA Youth Cup final?
Having won the competition three times, Everton have also tasted defeat in the final on four occasions.
However, the Young Blues have not made the final of the FA Youth Cup in 24 years.
The second-placed finishes go all the way back:
1961
1977
1983
2002
Wayne Rooney was part of the last Everton side to reach the FA Youth Cup final, with the 2002 side losing over two legs to Aston Villa.
Many will remember that final after Rooney celebrated his goal with the infamous ‘Once a Blue’ t shirt under his match jersey.
Everton will now be hoping to bring their long spell away from the final of the FA Youth Cup to an end with the likes of Graham leading the charge.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Everton content each week direct to your mailbox