Everton to face Southampton in Goodison's farewell

Maybe read that and stop almost hooping for a negative ffs. ;-)

Gotta stop developing this victim mentality. Leave that for them lot across the park.

We're Everton! UTFT.

:)

It makes sense to have it the week before for the most exposure.

All the final games are at 4pm on the last day, so the last game at the Old Lady would have been a footnote on the day - this way it can be a big deal the week before.

Also we have a decent run-in with Ipswich, Fulham, Southampton, Newcastle.

Plenty of points to be had in December then!

I don't. I think the club have got it just right in their request.

I know of someone (Steve!!) who is planning to smuggle a saw into to ground so he can take his seat with him and put it in his bedroom.

Whenever the last day comes, it's going to be tough. But we have a lot to look forward to and before then, a season to get on with.

The last game at Goodison, should definitely be the last game of the season, because for many people who have been going to that ground for a very long time, it is not just going to be a very emotional day, it’s going to be a very emotional week.

It is very unprofessional, asking for this fixture not to be played on the last day of the season, imo, because I believe it should be a day of massive celebration, and will leave most people connected to Everton, completely drained.

Maybe I’m wrong, maybe we are going to win the FA Cup!

I even reckon he’d say yes, because I’m sure that FA Cup final, when we played Watford, will have also been one of the most emotional days, in his life.

IMAGINE ELTON, SINGING, I GUESS THATS WHY THEY CALL US THE BLUES, as his final encore?

How they can request the last ever league game at Goodison not be the last game of the season is beyond comprehension.

1. They now have no idea what day the last game will be until a few weeks before so can't plan major events

2. They requested the same weekend as FA cup final so did they just assume us or whomever we might have got would not be in it?

3. Another game could be scheduled midweek after the Saints game at short notice so they can't even get plan programs merch etc as Saints might not even be the last game

4. There's a very good chance the last game will now be an evening kick off. So what about families and kids especially those that go the game. The build up pre and post match is not the same for evening games. It's a terrible slight against families and those that want to go the ground and area for the last game even if they might not have a ticket.

If the club had asked fans I'm guessing the vast majority would have wanted the last game of the season.

I really can't believe how short sighted and stupid Everton are. Considering some of the stuff they have done it takes a lot to shock me at their stupidity but this is right up there.

The club, IMHO, have requested the "most likely" best option for the last game at Goodison which may well be beyond YOUR comprehension.

Lots of things can happen over which the club has no control whatsoever.

And your "guess" I think is well wide of the mark bearing in mind the clubs reasoning for not going for the last game of the season.

The only way they can guarantee the kick off time and date is having it the last day of the season.

This would have allowed proper celebrations before and after the game, maybe a big screen set up somewhere for fans without tickets. A proper family day out for generations to attend. What about all the fans worldwide who might have wanted to come say goodbye
a weekend is easier than midweek.

Instead we now have no idea when the last game will be played until a few weeks before, it's more than likely now going to be an evening kick off Monday or another day during the week. Especially if Everton or Saints get to the final, or should we now all hope Everton get knocked out the cup?

It impacts families, worldwide fans and makes planning the event far more difficult. So please do tell me how I'm wrong and why you think this is such a brilliant idea? Maybe counter my argument, as you've offered nothing at all to the debate.

Your own sentiment is correct, we should move on, but the last day of the season should be an Everton day, or more to the point a Goodison day, and I think the club have shown their total ineptitude by not grasping this.

I don’t give a fuck what anyone else thinks, or the closing of Goodison being overshadowed by events elsewhere. It’s going to be all about Everton, so nobody else should matter when we say goodbye to a place that is full of memories.

It "could be" that on the last day, the premier league winners, champions league places, European places and relegation places are ALL still to be decided.

It's likely that SOME of those mentioned above will be decided on the last day.

The last day also tends to be covered by switching emphasis from one game to another very quickly though I accept that could be the case on the second to last day, but less likely.

In short there's very likely to be lots going on on the last day of the season that would detract from what, for Evertonians in particular, will be a very poignant and significant day.

The club have requested the week before with this in mind.

I know the FA Cup final is the day before but if Everton or Southampton are in it I'll buy "everyone" at Goodison a drink.

Yes it's possible, as are some of the other things that you mentioned, but there are lots of possibilities whenever it would be.

Personally I feel the club have made their request using common sense. It was either gonna be the last game or second to last game of the season.

They opted for the second last which I think makes sense.

I didn't say you were wrong by the way, just that I totally disagree with the reasoning behind your post which, to me, came across as a rather querulous anti club rant.

'I know the FA Cup final is the day before but if Everton or Southampton are in it I'll buy "everyone" at Goodison a drink.'

What day will that be. If either team are in the final, I assume there'll be very people at Goodison to take you up on your offer.

:)

As for the clash with last day and other things, it's all irrelevant. On that day the only thing that will matter to Everton fans is saying goodbye to Goodison. If the club had thought about the fans they would realise this.

Either way I'll look forward to a pint as Everton are going to win the cup, I tell myself this every year one year I'll be right.

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. ;-)

I believe the club want the occasion to be as big as it can be and I feel they club HAS thought about the fans.

And there'll be lots families and worldwide fans who won't be able to attend anyway because every game at Goodison is a sell out and chances of getting a ticket for that game as a one off is very low.

Anyway, last word on it as you're affecting my positivity. ;-))

Sad to say goodbye to the old lady but looking forward to BMD as well.

Let give the girls a great send off.

That would be an Everton send-off.

Yes. :-))

I was thinking the same thing though it would be fitting to do that like when Hibbo scored and the pitch was invaded it made sense. They could say to the fans there will be testimonial on this date then it won't have any impact on Premier league etc.

I just hope if they do that us season ticket holders are given the chance to buy our own seat for the game before they go on general sale.

Let's just hope we can pick up some points early doors,so that we can focus on giving Goodison the fitting send off it deserves and not worrying about the dreaded drop.

The day will be very emotional as it is!

COYB

Whatever happens, we would have been kicking off at the agreed time on the agreed day. As it is, our game against Southampton could be on the Sunday, it could be postponed to the Wednesday if either team makes it to the cup final, and it's generally at the whim of Sky and TNT what time it kicks off. It's also possible that another game might be shoe-horned in after the Soton game if there has been postponements earlier in the season.

I would have thought the important thing is long term planning for an event like this. Also, the idea that it would have got "lost" among the excitement of the final day is laughable. The only people who actually care are us, the Everton fans. Nobody else gives a flying one.

Everton requested this and to be honest, I cannot blame them, all sorts of relegation deciders and top 6 places to be decided final game, makes sense to me where it will not get overlooked as much.

They could not have given us a better home game, winnable and chances Southampton will only have the lower bullens, giving Evertonians a better chance of having upper Bullens.

But like I said before, everyone will be descending on Goodison, ticket or not, best solution would have been having a double header stadium for the last home game.

Open Bramley Moore stadium to allow fans to test the new stadium out, while showing the game on the two giant screens at Bramley Moore, they reckon there are around 30,000 on the season ticket waiting list, that’s 30,000 that could have an option to test the new ground out along with official members, no brainer for me.

I am guessing that not many of us would give a damn what was happening in other matches kicking off at the same time. It would have been the chance for the players and fans to say goodbye to the Old Lady together.

And why is that not possible the week before? 🤔

If he's on the pitch belting out I guess why they call it the blues, we'll all be crying within seconds!

Let's give her a final season to remember. Those players need to remember their place in history.

For me it began in 1976, for others much longer. Goodison and Everton have been with me all of my memorable life. I know I'm going to struggle walking away. It will feel like a divorce.

Link

I challenge anyone not to get emotional. It was being sung with gusto in the Winslow recently.

Or could do a medley with goodbye yellow brick road, goodbye Goodison park.

Everton never plan things properly and never learn, guaranteed if that lot over the park were leaving our old ground it would already be planned and merch would already be on shelves

I remember our alex Young

Little Bally had so much fun

Andy king in the top left corner

Latch on his knees, 30 goals please

But the biggest kick I ever got

Was the 2 nil victory against that lot

Goodison bouncing, the title had gone

Na, na, na na na, na

And I guess that’s why they call us the Blues.

I genuinely can't believe how short sighted and stupid it is

Plenty of other posters don’t agree with you either. Despite your 14 posts on the subject.

Your attempt to bore us all into submission has not worked.

And if my posts bore you don't read 'em. 😉

But if you do read this. Will you be going to the game?

Can you imagine, in the Premier League where league positions and scrutiny are so important and so high, that any club could choose when, where or who they play against for any fixture? Putting sentiment aside, in the cold light of day it's absurd when you think about it from the perspective of the wider world, and the competition itself.

Last game at Goodison, or first game at Bramley Moore, we get what we're given.

And I doubt they'll get any cheaper as the fateful day approaches

The Derby on the 7th of December, almost 55yrs to the day of Sandy's famous OG

*blinks* where the fuck did that all go?

Will not make a difference fans attending or local, but for other Evertonians far a wide, they will get more of a chance getting more airtime and cameras staying on the Everton game, rather than the whistle going and they head over to another stadium of celebrations.

To be honest Everton requested it and I think whoever broadcasts our game will want the cameras to remain on the final whistle and the moments afterwards as well.

Again makes no difference for Evertonians attending,we could have asked for it to be the final game, but for those watching far and wide the final Day normally focuses on various games at one time, often showing a goal from the other game, now imagine those watching the final game, they kept interrupting the Everton game by showing a goal from another match, be up in arms saying typical Premier league keep showing other goals.

I think it’s a good idea the week before, so we can get all the tv and media coverage for our final home game.

Swings and roundabouts, I was all for hoping for the final Sunday, but now I think we will get more coverage far and wide with it being the week before.

Be honest. Was it your idea to play the penultimate game at home? 😉

I’ll be honest I don’t have any skin in that game as I won’t be able to attend either which way. But it does reflect a loser attitude to assume we won’t be in the cup final. Yes of course they can rearrange it if that happens. But let’s be real. There will be Evertonians crawling out of the woodwork from around the world wanting to make plans to get to the last game even if they’re stuck outside without a ticket. You can’t exactly change your flight from Australia, Oregon or wherever at short notice if we get to the cup final and instead pop over on a random Tuesday announced five weeks beforehand. At least last day of the season would be definitive. As it is, this date could change even if we don’t get to the cup final but Soton do! Unlikely? Yes but wasn’t unlikely Cameroon would beat reigning champs Argentina after having two men sent off at the 1990 WC? Wasn’t it unlikely Iceland would be England? Wasn’t it unlikely Shandy Andy and Gosling would be FA cup derby day heroes? Wasn’t it unlikely Hibbert would score with his first ever shot in his testimonial? Stranger things have happened.

What shite plastic cheap lyrics:

"And I guess that's why they call it the blues / Time on my hands could be time spent with you / Laughin' like children, livin' like lovers / Rollin' like thunder under the covers /And I guess that's why they call it the blues".

Dead Everton that.

Jesus wept: "Rollin' like thunder under the covers".

Brings tears to my eyes that line: meaningful, profound, deep, emotional, dead Everton/footy.

"Wait on me girl / Cry in the night if it helps".

Shite lyrics, shite song with its boss b-side: "Choc-Ice Goes Mental"

Hey presto moment: it says "the blues".

I've said this a few times now. How on earth did we end up with this worthless dirge when we could have turned to a song that came out a year earlier, from our area (sadly a kopite but fuck me the Z Cars thieves are embarrassing), with lyrics that actually matter and have meaning and resonance for us, now and then.

I am speaking, of course, of Wah's majestic anthemic "Story of the Blues".

The very last thing I want is syrupy Reg Dwight singing that song on our last day at The Old Lady on his marble piano, followed by heavy full-on frantic jiving in the Street End as he launches into "Crocodile Rock".

Join in one and all in a rousing Everton rebel yell:

"Just stare into space / Picture my face in your hands ... And never forget I'm your man".

#pleaseusestoryoftheblues

"First, they take your pride / Turn it all inside / And then you realise / You've got nothing left to lose / So, you try to stop / Try to get back up / And then, you realise / You're telling the Story of the Blues".

Gotta agree. Why the hell would we want the weeping Watford owner — a team who bizarrely adopted the z cars anthem to perform at the end of the Goodison era. Watford weren’t even a team of note till after Zcars ended aside from the fact they’re nowhere near Merseyside. Then we are assuming Elton who has nothing to do with Merseyside would want to celebrate the team that broke his heart in 1984? We may as well ask Chas and Dave to perform on account of the Amokachi semi final as they were on the losing side say may remember it. I like Elton as a musician as I’m Sure Tony does but football is football. I’d turn away Tchaikovsky if he showed up with a Spartak Moscow flag in his pocket. When Goodison says goodbye it’s a day for Evertonians not just celebs. Maybe we can put Paul McCartney to the test and see if he’s truly a blue.

Kieran, from what I've read. I think he grew up an Everton support but I think McCartney falls into that strange category who has said he supports both teams in the city.

I personally don't comprehend that or how someone would think like that. Although I don't believe he is a football person. I don't think any of the Beatles were.

I think I read that his dad was an Evertonian and sat in the Upper Bullens.

Or even 'Follow The Yellow Prick Toad' ?

Don't think they will need to demolish The Old lady after the last game, everyone, seemingly will walk away with a seat, a brick etc. The only thing left will will be The Maggot's old Seat. Ah just demolish it, he almost demolished us !

Sadly, Shane MacGowan is no longer with us, Isn't Hyacinth from Keeping Up Appearances one of us - she has a boss voice. We have a bit of Atomic Kitten don't we? Ian Astbury. Tony Blackburn. Harold from Neighbours. Sharon Corr, Sonia, Mary Whitehouse was a blue I believe.

It has to be Lee Mavers, doesn't it?

Or/and the lads from 1984-87 belting out "Spirit of the Blues" and, I suppose, "Here We Go", bouncing balls.

Sing whatever you want - do the lot but preferably with an Evertonian leading it. I'll be too emotional to care as I'll also be celebrating 70 years a blue. 1955 in the boys pen - I wonder who else was packed in there with me?

Our kid had a photo of her modelling an Everton shirt and I remember it said Atomic Kit-On.

Another option for last game - The Farm?

They could have an emotional reunion at The Old Lady on the last day. The Street End would be in bits with smart phone lights swaying.

The Farm's lead singer, Pete Hooton, born in Everton, is a huge red, like on fan organisations/committes and something with Shankly in the title. He lives in Crosby.

Link

May I suggest.

St. Luke's Choir

this fella, The Ballad of Dixie and Kenny

Sonia, Better the Devil You Know

Ronald Koeman, I'm Sorry

Frank Lampard, Don't Blame it on the Boogie

Paul Ferry, We are Evil ... You'll Never Make the Station ... You're Going Home in a Fucking Ambulance ... I Was Walking Down Lime Street Swinging My Chain, Saw a Cockney and Asked Him His Name, Kicked Him in the Balls and I Kicked Him in the Head, Now That Cockney is Dead ... I'm a Bone Legged Chicken and a Knock-Knee' Hen, I haven't Been Wanked Since I Don't Know When, I Walk With a Wiggle and I Walk With a Squalk, Doin the Everton Bootwalk ... Jesus Christ Was an Evertonian ... We Are the Scousers the Cock of the North ... Fck em all Fck em all, Paisley's red army and all, took 14 to West Ham oh isn't that great, they are the bastards that we fucking hate, so, I'm singing you blues fuck them all, 'coz we won't be mastered by red and white bastards, 'coz we are the cream of tha them all ... KOPITES ARE GOBSHITES ... EVERTON

Lee Mavers

1984-87 heroes

Rob Halligan leading the 3000

James (115). Not wishing to brag, but in the early 70s Bernard Jewry (then better known as Shane Fenton) lived a few doors away. In the mid-70s he was reinvented as Alvin Stardust and the family moved away not long after. His house should have a 'blue plaque' on the wall - perhaps I'll start a campaign.

The greatest memory would be if our younger generation of unbelievably passionate supporters could finally see us win a cup, or am I asking for too much, after the way we have been beaten into submission over many soulless years?

We might get down but we will never be beaten, singing - WE SHALL NOT BE MOVED!

I'm a Bone Legged Chicken and a Knock-Knee' Hen

Fuck me Feral I know you misinterpret everything but Everton songs????

All together those who actually went:

Walking down lime street swinging a chain along came a copper and he asked my name .

I'm a bow legged chicken and a knock kneed hen

Oh dear!

Forty thousand giving the most raucous ever rendition of "Spirit" will have everyone in floods anyway.

This is not just a game. It's celebration of all Evertonian's. Past and present.

Those lucky enough to be inside Goodison will spend the time looking around the ground to where their dad's used to stand. Where their departed uncles and brothers and sisters would sit. Where they congregated with dear friends who are no longer with us. I firmly believe they'll all be there.

The record books will state that 40,000 people attended the game, but I'm expecting at least a quarter of a million to turn up.

You'll drive down the price of BMD's naming rights.

Probably the most profound post I've read in a long time!

Nice one.

The memories of that place are embedded in my soul, and they remain handcuffed to who I am.

Martin, Goodison is not just another place.. it’s not just anywhere.

Tell me da, me da
It's the last time we'll be, we'll be
Part of Goodison history
Tell me da, me da

Tell me ma, me ma
Our next home will be, will be
The Royal and Blue Mersey
Tell me ma, me ma

Bricks and mortar indeed..

Lynn, Sat 19th August 1972.. got married at midday, stood in Gwladys street in the afternoon as the blues beat United. The two loves of my life.. but Everton came first..

Once I attended a seminar at Goodison with a female work colleague. At lunch time I asked the guy in charge of the catering would there be a chance of seeing the ground, as my colleague has never been inside a football stadium before. He was brilliant. He took us through to the Main Stand and we came out by the Directors Box. There before us lay Goodison. It was a beautiful day and my colleague thought Goodison was brilliant. I however had become overcome. Never being inside before when it was empty, the feelings and emotions were overwhelming. It was Goodison and it's presence was unmistakable. I shed a few tears. This was my Goodison. Home of My team and a ground full of memories. It's a feeling I will never forget as long as I live. Goodison is alive believe me. It's Spirit will be badly missed and we can only hope that BMD will develop its own in short order.

PS: I loved you short term memory jibe - priceless.

Tue 3 Dec – Wolverhampton Wanderers (h)
Sat 7 Dec – Liverpool (h)
Sat 14 Dec – Arsenal (a)
Sat 21 Dec – Chelsea (h)
Thur 26 Dec – Manchester City (a)
Sun 29 Dec – Nottingham Forest (h)

Wed 2 Apr – Liverpool (a)
Sat 5 Apr – Arsenal (h)
Sat 12 Apr – Nottingham Forest (a)
Sat 19 Apr – Manchester City (h)
Sat 26 Apr – Chelsea (a)

It’s a place with a lot of memories, and whenever I drive past the stadium, my thoughts always drift towards someone or something that I have witnessed at this very old, but still very beautiful, decrepit stadium!

I agree with that post Jack, and remember agreeing with Peter Mills, when he said he could feel the spirits inside Goodison pk.

Last Season's results would give us
August P3 4 points
September P3 2 points (= 6 by end Sept)
October P3 6 points (= 12 by end Oct)
November P4 7 points (= 19 by end Nov)
December P6 9 points (= 28 by end of year)
January P4 3 points (= 31 by end Jan)
February P4 6 points (= 37 by end Feb)
March P2 null points (= 37 by end March)
April P5 3 points (= 40 by end April)
May P4 8 points (= finish on 48)

Pretty scary March and April where based on last season we only beat Forest (a) and lost the other 6, although April is Liverpool, Arsenal, City and Chelsea. May we won 2 drew 2. So we could have reached safety by end Feb!

With Spurs and Villa our first two away games then 13 away games without a win is a distinct possibility to match Fat Frank in 22/23. Don't beat Leicester and into matching FSW's record in 21/22. Don't beat Ipswich and we are into Koeman territory. No away win in the first 8 games then worst ever beating Dave Watson/HK MkIII in those dark days.

I was a season ticket holder at Goodison Park from being a young teenager in the early ‘70s (my dad took me to my first match at Goodison in the late ‘60s) until a decade or so ago when I moved away from the North-West to put down roots elsewhere. If I can scrounge a couple of tickets from an old mate, me and my brother try and take in a match or two every season.

These days I live in a remote rural location surrounded by history that includes everything from neolithic burial cysts and forts to Roman roads and the sites of abandoned medieval villages. It's impossible not to feel the sense of history. Of the past.

Whenever I go back to the Grand Old Lady, I get the same tingle in my skin. This is where important events took place, both good and bad. Just like the forts and the burials and the abandoned villages, it's where people came together with common purpose and shared beliefs. It's where stuff that mattered happened.

Will I miss Goodison Park? Of course. Do I wish we were staying there for old-time's sake? No. The world changes and moves on, it always has. But that tingle will still be with me whenever I'm reminded of the place.

The notion you are involved in education beggars belief.

Haven’t been since 2005, but fantastic memories, mainly from 85. Never getting a ticket for this one but will be there in spirit.

NSNO.

As a fellow expat my trips back to Goodison have always felt as much about the old lady as anything else.

To be honest, I miss very little about England - except for going to Goodison. It's home to me and for the last twenty years, every time I've been there and the final whistle blows, I've taken one last look around just in case it's my last time there.

My last time really was my last time and, almost a year out, I'm feeling that already.

I'm aware that I might just be a sentimental young boobie.

Grand Old Team and all that at the end of games needs to be left to history in my view, and the same goes for all the other 50 year old songs they bleat out. I'd even get rid of Z Cars if I was in charge.

Ditch all the old shite, and modernise finally.

We are all different in our emotions, some show them more than others who may have the same feelings but keep them hidden.

I don’t know how I will react on that final day, I know I will think, as I often do, of the people I went to the game with from the very beginning in 1948 right up to now, lots of them gone including my mate Mick who I often think about and our times following the Blues which never fail to make me smile.

I think Goodison Park will packed inside and out on that final day and tickets will be like gold and no matter the result lots tears will coming down lots of faces as we leave The Grand Old Lady for the last time.

Keep posting Martin you always talk a lot of sense and make food for thought.

I can't imagine walking away from her.

As you say, it won't just be Goodison Park, the streets will be rammed with very emotional people.

We are doing the right thing, but for generations, this going to be painful.