Fan Article Last ever FA Cup game at Goodison Park? Rob Halligan 28/01/2024 33comments | Jump to last Was the disappointing performance and result in the FA Cup against Luton Town the last ever FA Cup game to be played at Goodison Park, before the curtain finally comes down on the Grand Old Lady, and we move to our new stadium on the banks of the Royal Blue Mersey? Obviously we won’t know the answer to that question until the draw is are made for the third round, and hopefully the rounds that follow, for season 2024-25. As we all know, there is a 50/50 chance of being drawn home or away, but should we be drawn away in the third round next season, and lose, then as far as the FA Cup for Goodison goes, that’s it. Saturday 27 January 2024 could have witnessed its final FA Cup match. In years to come, normally nobody would remember the performance of the team in that game, but no doubt it will stick in the memory banks of many fans, just how dire the game was, just because it was (or could be), the last FA Cup game at Goodison. The following link gives a breakdown of all FA Cup games played by Everton at Goodison Park since 1892. A quick add-up reveals about 207 games played at Goodison, with Burnley being the first one, a 3-1 defeat, and Luton Town the last one. As we can see, it’s a ToffeeWeb link, so no guarantee it’s 100% accurate, but I’m sure it is! https://www.toffeeweb.com/history/records/facuprec.asp Just like another thread elsewhere, discussing our favourite games, league, cup or Europe at Goodison, everyone will also have their own favourite, and not so favourite, FA Cup games played at Goodison Park. Article continues below video content My first one, that I can remember anyway, was Colchester United in the 1970-71 quarter-final. Everton played in their amber away kit and won convincingly 5-0. The 4-4 draw with Liverpool in 1991, followed by a second replay at home, when Dave Watson scored the winner, sticks well in the memory, as does the Romelu Lukaku double against Chelsea in 2016. However, for me, and no doubt many others, my favourite has to be the Don Gosling last-minute winner in extra time against Liverpool in 2009. The place went absolutely crazy, and just a pity the TV-watching nation missed the goal, as the game was shown on ITV and for some reason they broke away from the game for adverts! There have also been some dire FA Cup home games, the likes of Bradford City, Tranmere Rovers and Wigan Athletic all coming to Goodison and going home victorious. Even the likes of Stockport County and Port Vale came and got a draw. Anyway, let’s hope that the third round draw, in the first week in December 2024, will be kind to us, and we can saviour at least one more FA Cup game at Goodison Park, before moving to the new Everton Stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock. Reader Comments (33) Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer () Phil (Kelsall) Roberts 1 Posted 29/01/2024 at 09:32:31 Rob, Steve Johnson's is I think the most reliable website for all statistics Evertonian.https://www.evertonresults.com/It is always my GoTo place. John Gall 2 Posted 29/01/2024 at 10:38:43 The Imre Varadi game in 1981 lingers powerfully in the memory. The RS were, as usual, in their arrogant pomp, and we, as usual, had a mediocre team and a terrible record in derbies. And yet, as we also managed to in the 77 semi (first game only) we managed to rally and play with focused passion. Jimmy Case was a psycho running around crippling everyone but the likes of Eamon O'Keeffe and Peter Eastoe got stuck in and we ground out a win. Atmosphere was frenzied. I regularly rewatch it on you tube, trying to pick out my 16 year old face in the Street End. Barry Rathbone 3 Posted 29/01/2024 at 11:14:00 1975: Everton 1-1 Altrincham sticks in my mind. A goal down at half time and the ignominy of being knocked out by non-leaguers had Billy Butler on the PA raising the call to get behind the lads. The Toffees come out for the second half to the most thunderous reception I've ever heard. Despite having a man sent off, we equalised and beat them comfortably at their place in the replay.1980: Everton 2 1 Ipswich Town is another for me.A week previous, Ipswich had dished out one of the most comprehensive hidings ever to an Everton side winning 4-0 in front of 31k. The following Saturday, 45k rolled up, baying for revenge, and Ipswich just couldn't cope.We had the most amazing support back then. Paul Hewitt 4 Posted 29/01/2024 at 11:22:11 The worst for me must be the 3-0 loss to Wigan. I was convinced we were going to the final that season.Probably not the best, but the 1-0 win over Newcastle in 1995 always sticks in the memory. They had a good team that season, but we dug in and got a great result. The atmosphere was fantastic as well. Dennis Stevens 5 Posted 29/01/2024 at 12:43:21 Hear! Hear! Phil - that site is an excellent resource. Andrew Ellams 6 Posted 29/01/2024 at 13:19:35 Paul @ 4 I take your Wigan defeat and raise you a 3-0 home defeat to Tranmere. Jeff Armstrong 7 Posted 29/01/2024 at 13:19:41 Barry #3 I remember that game well as 12 year old in the old paddock (my spec) John Connolly had his leg broken after Gary Jones was sent off, both in the first half, we fought back with a penalty and won the replay at Old Trafford 3-0 after Altringham gave up their right to have it at home, or maybe the police made them play at OT. Joe McMahon 8 Posted 29/01/2024 at 13:31:27 Paul, I've recollections of another Goodison Moyes classic in the FA Cup, I think in 2008. Everton 0 Oldham 2. My girlfriend's then later wife's first home game! 🤨 Dave Abrahams 9 Posted 29/01/2024 at 13:34:05 Jeff (7). A cracking punch from Gary Jones, I think the Altrincham player took the full count after that smacker.Dave Clemence took that penalty I think to save our bacon but was the replay 2-0 not 3-0? Mark Murphy 10 Posted 29/01/2024 at 13:43:08 I thought it was 3-0 Dave.Bedlam outside OT that night! Brian Hennessy 11 Posted 29/01/2024 at 13:46:56 Rob, I still have not forgiven ITV for missing the only goal of those two games against the other lot in 2009. In fact, it was not until you mentioned it that I googled it today and finally saw the goal for the first time, some 15 years later!For those who were not around at the time. Imagine how tense things were watching the closing stages of extra time, only for the TV station to cut to an ad break with the game in full flow. Then to return after the ad break to discover we had missed the only (winning) goal. Tony Abrahams 12 Posted 29/01/2024 at 13:51:40 That game against Altrincham, was my first ever game at Goodison, Barry R, so if we get drawn at home in the third round next season, I will have been attending Goodison on a regular basis for 50 seasons, but never has it felt so bad.Everton were always a famous FA Cup team, then along came the riches of points having a lot more value than prizes, and never has the evidence of plucky little Everton, been on show at Goodison, right now.I shut my eyes and remember Varadi, Kenny Sansom's own goal, Eamon O'Keefe's winner against Southampton, when it felt like there was over 50000 people in the ground, turning over Spurs, who had been in the previous two finals, without playing a game outside of London, Goslin's last minute winner, after waiting 35 years for one against the bastards, and Lukaku's wonderful brace against Chelsea.I remember scoring two late goals against Swindon, a late City equaliser, in 1981, a year which produced some great cup-ties, and Watson's goal, setting up a semifinal at Elland Rd.I despair at the last 30 years, especially Tranmere, which was definitely one of my lowest points, but we have had a lot of very bad low points in our most recent era, games like Wigan, which was a complete and utter disaster, and a feeling that was matched on Saturday night, because a lot of sensible Evertonians, were actually relieved that Everton, don't have no more FA Cup games left to play this season, even though it means that we are now going to be thirty years, without lifting a trophy. Dave Abrahams 13 Posted 29/01/2024 at 13:51:51 Mark (10), I'm staying with 2-0, I know Mick Lyons got the second goal and I think Latchford got the first can't remember a third goal. Alan McGuffog 14 Posted 29/01/2024 at 14:16:56 Dave... you're right it was 2-0. I'd just that Monday started work in Manchester and I'd gone with a couple of colleagues, Man City fans.All-time favourite cup game has to be a Saturday evening, in a gale, in 1967. Now… who was it against? 🤔 Danny O’Neill 15 Posted 29/01/2024 at 14:26:14 I think there is going to be a lot of recollection over the next 18 months.My favourite FA Cup moments aren't at Goodison.Despite the joy of watching Ratcliffe lift the cup at Wembley, the two semi-finals at Villa Park, ironically against Luton and then Sheffield Wednesday, they always stick in my mind. Phil (Kelsall) Roberts 16 Posted 29/01/2024 at 15:46:44 If we are talking Ipswich – 1985. 2 minutes in and we get a free kick at the top of the D. Sheedy puts it over the wall and into the corner.Ref says he wasn't ready so disallowed and take it again.Sheedy puts it over the wall and into the other corner.Michel Platini — the poor man's Kevin Sheedy. Jay Harris 17 Posted 29/01/2024 at 15:55:39 Danny,Away from Goodison, my all-time favourite game was the semi-final at Elland Road against Spurs in 1995.According to all the media, Spurs were going to win the cup and mullet us along the way.Well, we gave them a lesson in football, beating them 4-1 and of course going on to beat Man Utd in the cup final. Dave Abrahams 18 Posted 29/01/2024 at 15:59:17 Alan (14), Thanks. About that match in the gale, it was shown live at the opponents' ground on large screens. At the end of the game a young fan of the opposition was crying but his dad consoled him by saying “Don't cry, son, it's only a filmâ€! Barry Rathbone 19 Posted 29/01/2024 at 17:54:36 Oh! The other unheralded but incredible cup tie was when we beat a Keegan-inspired Southampton 1-0 after drawing at the Dell. Goodison was full before they put the lights on, traffic was at a virtual standstill all over Walton, the atmosphere was unreal.As Keegan ruefully commented, "The fans won it for them". I never went to the Bayern Munich game but, as bear pits go, this must have been near. Brian Denton 20 Posted 29/01/2024 at 18:06:44 Rob, it was only certain regions of ITV which missed 'Don' Gosling's goal. I saw it okay on TV. Brian Hennessy 21 Posted 29/01/2024 at 19:24:48 Brian #20, That only makes it worse for me. Not sure what region of ITV we had back in 2009 here in Ireland, but we were some of the unlucky ones to miss Gosling's winner! Rob Halligan 22 Posted 29/01/2024 at 20:02:53 I believe Granada TV, which covers the Merseyside area, was one of the regions which cut off for an ads break. Bet that went down well on Merseyside, particularly with the blue three-quarters side! Paul Ferry 23 Posted 29/01/2024 at 20:28:06 Great idea for a thread Rob.Tranmere was the lowest point for me. I was straight across from them and their singing nearly made me leave a match before the final whistle for the first ever time ever.The high point has to be the Gosling goal.Away from the Old Lady? No question for me. It's not even close. Highbury. April 14 1984: 117th minute, Reidy free kick (chip), Deggsy nod on, INCHY!!!!!!!!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlYeLDFiGrASpecial mention for January 7 1984. Stoke. We were at least half of that 16,500 crowd. I'm actually thinking of the singing before even a ball was kicked. Paul Birmingham 24 Posted 29/01/2024 at 20:52:49 Barry, ditto plus Fulham at home in 1975, that was tough to take.Arsenal 2-0, in 1980 Throw in 1980 v Soton replay, A OKeefes screamer, into the street End won the game, and my first Goodison pitch invasion, over the steel fences from the Lower Street End. Beating Arsenal 2-0 in 81, against the odds Varaidis goal and win v the RS 1981 and v City 2-2, at Goodison, Tommy Hutchinson, aka Worzel Gummidge took loads of stick, that day, it was a bouncing atmosphere.In the mid 80s and during the miners strikes there were a few proper old fashioned games, and electric atmospheres, in the ground. The 4-4 draw v the RS, Dalglish, left after that game.1985 v Ipswich, and 0-2 down, and some famous goals that day saw a great Everton team get the game to 2-2 and 1-0, win in the replay at Portman Road. The year that very nearly saw Everton do a treble.Shandys, cross for Gosling, sent the RS on their way, in 2009.There's loads but these come to mind.The place, will never die, and will live on into eternity through Evertonians, across the world.UTFTs! Mike Doyle 25 Posted 29/01/2024 at 21:23:56 Like Rob H, the first FA Cup game I saw at Goodison was the game vs Colchester, but most others I've attended have been a disappointment. I was at the Fulham defeat in 75 and the Altrincham draw (was that the John Connolly broken leg game?).The last 3 FA Cup matches I recall fondly were the semi finals against Southampton at Highbury (favourite ground after Goodison) and Luton at Villa Park (Sheedy & Mountfield) and Spurs at Elland Road (Amokachi). They were better than the finals.A few commentators have mentioned that the crowd on Saturday was quite subdued and I wonder if that may be that the FA Cup isn't the big deal it used to be. For me the competition has, for me, lost the impact it used to have and is hard to get excited about. Phil Grayston 26 Posted 29/01/2024 at 22:37:09 The Imre Varadi Derby was unforgettable. Remember being with my Dad in an absolutely packed Street End, but beating Spurs 2-0 in the 5th round in 1983 was also brilliant. Apart from them being the media darlings, they hadn't lost in the cup for 3 years. Once again with my Dad, this time in the Upper Bullens. Goodison was rocking and there was this sense that something good was brewing. Happy days... Paul Ferry 27 Posted 30/01/2024 at 07:09:38 Wasn't Clive Thomas the referee in the 'Varadi Derby' or is my memory playing tricks with me? And, didn't Viradi miss a sitter after he scored? A great day. Town full of us that night. I remember one of us lying on the pavement outside the old Rigby's on Dale Street, bobble hat perfectly in place, arms raised, just shouting "Varadi! Varadi!" over and over again. And his mate trying to lift him up, couldn't, and lay down next to him arms in the air singing "Varadi" and a copper saying "He's a Blue, I'm not nicking him" to cheers all round.Brilliant memories. Dave Abrahams 28 Posted 30/01/2024 at 10:14:26 Paul (27), I'd had a bet with a Red mate on that game for £5. On the Sunday after the game, he came over to pay me in The Goblin, my local pub. I said “Just get me a Varadi and Coke, and keep the change!†Phil Grayston 29 Posted 30/01/2024 at 13:16:46 Paul (27). Just checked and you're right — it was indeed Clive Thomas. Amazed we won!As for Varadi missing a sitter, I think you're right but I can't picture exactly what he did. Dale Self 30 Posted 30/01/2024 at 16:42:27 With you Rob, that Gosling winner produced a singular moment of gentleman behavior from one Red associate of mine. He simply looked at me and said “They did it†when I told him I missed the replay. Watching that was magical even though I knew the outcome. Didn't we knock out Chelsea with a late Baines free kick? I remember the team in white shirts so maybe that was away. Peter Warren 31 Posted 30/01/2024 at 19:48:29 Loved the back end of 1994- 1995 season under Royle. Goodison was great. Norwich and Newcastle put to the sword in totally different ways. Similarly, performance at Elland Rd against Spurs in semi probably best I've witnessed and then dogs of war in final.Limpar was a genius under Big Joe that season. Great memories - can't believe it's coming up to 30 years with no success. Mismanagement on a chronic scale. Phil (Kelsall) Roberts 32 Posted 30/01/2024 at 22:56:34 Peter, the mismanagement on a chronic scale is actually Premier League and Sky. Only Premier League winner not Sky 6 - Leicester, the other 29 split among 4 clubs. Cup - Portsmouth '08, Wigan 13 and Leicester 21. The other 27 the Sky 6. League Cup is better with 7 winners and 23 from the Sky 6.So 84 trophies, and 73 have gone to 6 clubs. We never had a billionaire in the 90s or 2000s or the global fan base either. John Raftery 33 Posted 31/01/2024 at 01:52:37 Phil (32) Blackburn also won the league in 1995. That was in an era when Jack Walker's fortune of £300m went a long way.Your stats confirm that for most clubs there is no chance of winning the league and next to no chance of winning one of the domestic cups. The future may well be about following the West Ham model of qualifying for the lesser European competitions and having a realistic chance of winning one of them. Add Your Comments In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site. » Log in now Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site. How to get rid of these ads and support TW © ToffeeWeb