The day Neville Southall knew Everton had reached a 'turning point in their history'

March 25, 1984, is not a date that is etched into the Everton history books, but for one former Blues star it is a turning point in the club’s history.

On this day 38 years ago, Everton took on Liverpool in the final of the Milk Cup at Wembley. It was an historic occasion for both sides.

And an occasion that also ended in controversy. Around 100,000 Reds and Blues were in attendance at the home of English football to watch the two go head-to-head in the first ever Wembley all-Merseyside derby.

The enduring memory of that day, for fans of both clubs, was the Scouse unity displayed at a rain-lashed Wembley and also back home on Merseyside. The ECHO reported that a 'friendly army of fans' turned it into a 'family day out'.

While in his Daily Post match report, Ian Ross wrote: “Long before referee Alan Robinson brought a nerve-jarring two hours of fiercely competitive football to a halt, officials at the famous stadium had dubbed this first-ever all-Mersey showdown 'the friendly final' - and how right they were.."

A rather drab affair was dominated by one huge talking point from the game. During the first-half, Everton were denied a stonewall penalty when Alan Hansen cleared a goal bound effort from Adrian Heath with his hand.

Despite it being clear as day what Hansen had done, match referee Alan Robinson opted not to award a spot-kick. It’s a decision that still baffles Evertonians to this day.

Both teams shared a memorable lap of honour together after the final whistle as Wembley rocked to the chants of 'Merseyside, Merseyside'. Everton defender John Bailey was man of the match and years later he recalled: "At the end of the game I ran around the ground with Alan Kennedy, with a blue scarf and a red scarf tied together