Liverpool's first ever opponents at Anfield ...
.... were none other than one of our two predecessor clubs, Rotherham Town.
Rotherham County, formerly Thornhill Utd, were the other predecessor club. County and Town "inited" in 1925 to become Rotherham United.
Taken as a direct copy and paste from a mr graham orr off facebook:
When Everton FC walked away from Anfield Stadium over a rent dispute, the landlord, John Houlding, boarded a train for Scotland, and promptly signed eleven of their finest players.
He also needed credible opposition for the first game, to draw a crowd. He chose the Midland League champions. So, on September 1st 1892, Rotherham Town played in the first ever fixture for Liverpool FC. Sadly, the crowd was reported as being disappointing in numbers.
Town were no mugs, but the expensive team of hired guns, ' the team of Macs', were far too good , and notched 7 goals. Town made a little more history when Charlie Leatherbarrow scored the first ever goal against Liverpool. Also, the only world famous player to appear in that fixture would be Town goalkeeper, Arthur Wharton.
Town would go on to win the Midland League again, and in 1893, along with Liverpool, Newcastle United, and Woolwich Arsenal, join the new second division. Unfortunately, Town would last only three seasons before dropping out , and being wound up.
