Report Passion, Emotion, Respect and Reflection Danny O’Neill 19/05/2025 4comments (last) A late unexpected message asking if I wanted a ticket. A huge thank you to the individual, and one day, I hope to repay the favours several very kind and generous fellow Evertonians have done for me. I would do likewise for anyone and from next season I will be in a position to do so. So, up earlier than usual. The train wasn't feasible, as the first one from Euston wouldn't arrive in Lime Street until 11:15am. Given my luck with Sunday trains, I was taking no chances, so I decided to drive, parking at South Parkway. Onto Lime Street and went straight to the taxi rank on Lord Nelson Street as the queue at the main one was lengthy and I was a bit concerned that it may take longer than expected. I jumped in with a guy and his son, People were all sharing taxis. The traffic wasn't too bad, but I think most were already outside the stadium. The driver got us right outside the Royal Oak. We shook hands and I headed to the Harlech. Good to see some of the TW regulars, stood outside enjoying the glorious Merseyside sun. There couldn't have been a more perfect day for it. There were some amazing sights on County Road. Blue smoke, fireworks, 2 kids no older than 8 years on a bus stop with flares in their hands. A police officer stood on his motorbike. I didn't see if he was holding a flair. We started to head towards the ground. Goodison Road was bordering on impossible to get through, but we managed. At one point, I kept feeling what I thought was were deliberate kicks to my achilles. I don't mind the odd nudge when you're in a crowd and people are trying to get past, but I turned around, to have a word, as we were heading in the same direction. It was a gentleman being pushed in his wheelchair. I smiled and moved out of his way so he and his helper could pass through and told a few others to do the same. Over broken bottles, discarded flares and crushed cans we walked. The road sweepers are going to be kept busy for a few days. I entered Goodison for the last time and went straight to my seat and caught the warmups, which I don't usually do. As I was down that end, the Southampton players were right in front of us. I watched them, as Everton were up the other end. Even in the warm up, I thought to myself, they looked like a poor team. The atmosphere was building as Grand Old Team, Spirit and Forever rang out, being drowned by the supporters. And then it came. The siren and Z-cars as Seamus led out Everton for the last time at Goodison. The first lumpy throat moment. So, it was time to begin. There was a football match to be played. Goodison was the main event, but I thought it customary to comment on how I saw the match. We started well and got off to a quick start, with Ndiaye getting us off to a flyer and Beto could have scored before that. More chances followed before Ndiaye added a second on half time. Two goals ruled out by VAR. I suspected the first one would be, that was my initial instinct when I saw the timing of Beto's run. He went a fraction too early. I'm not sure about the second, as I didn't get a view of it. Penalty shout? I thought so. Someone is going to have to tell me that the rule has changed and shirt pulling and a push in the back of a player is now legal. It wasn't too disimilar to Ashley Young's against Manchester United. This was surely going to be a romp with the atmosphere electric. Not quite. The second half fizzled out into a bit of a pre-season friendly type of affair. Southampton came back into it a bit more, but didn't really do a lot. One comedy moment was when one of their players, having got into a good position on the edge of our box, took a fresh air shot and completely missed the ball. That wasn't the funny bit. The Southampton supporters broke out into a "that's why we're going down" at their own team. The players: Pickford: Great saves, when called upon. He loves that new song and was milking it up in the second half, often turning to the crowd with a grin and doing that conductor-like thing he does with his hand. It wouldn't surprise me if he was singing along. Coleman: Fantastic gesture to have him lead the team out. I had said last week, I would have preferred it that way around rather than him on for the last 15. Mykolenko: Didn't do a lot wrong again. Nothing special, but played well. Pickford had a right go at him for the passage of play in the second half that almost led to a goal. But overall, a decent performance. Good shot that led to a chance for Beto that went close but for a good save from the Southampton keeper. Branthwaite & O'Brien: I'll pair them together, as they worked well together throughout. As much as we have players who defy their older ages, these do the opposite. You wouldn't think their combined age is only a few years more than Ashley Young's; they look very assured. A bit of a mix between the two of them, that nearly led to a Southampton player scoring what could have been the last goal at Goodison, were it not for Pickford, but let's not be too harsh. Hopefully the knock Branthwaite seemed to take isn't too serious. Gana: What more can I say that I haven't already? Close call for man of the match. Garner: I thought he carried on his recent good form. McNeil: Didn't play as well as he can. He looked leggy, which is understandable given the time he spent injured. Let's hope he gets himself back and ready for next season. Great pass to Ndiaye for the second. Ndiaye: Always looked dangerous on the ball and, as usual, worked hard off it. Even when it doesn't come off, you feel he can make things happen. My favourite player of the season and my Man of the Match. Jinked his way past the Southampton defence for the first. I thought he was going to get sucked into the Park End in front of me as he celebrated with the supporters. He was there for quite a while that I didn't think he was going to get back on the pitch. Very intelligent player; very good at reading and finding space. Doucoure: The opposite of didn't do a lot wrong. He didn't do a lot right. Enough said, he's not here next season. Beto: Had a really good game. Gave everything and unlucky not to get the goal he seemingly desperately wanted. Subsitutes: Young: Used his head and experience as usual. Keane: He was steady. I can't really say much more. Alcaraz: Didn't really impact the game too much, but was always looking to drive forward. Nice touch at the end, going over to the Southampton supporters, who were singing the Charly Alcaraz song at him. Calvert-Lewin: Another, who didn't really have much of an impact on the game. Harrison: Another I can't say a lot about. Probably the only time I heard the "you're shite lad" shout all match, as generally it was positive vibes for most of the match. Onto the post match events. Some typically funny moments. The police and stewards lining to pitch like a yellow wall to a chorus of mischievous. but sarcastic boos. The supporter in front of me swinging his scarvle with such force, I thought he might take my eye out. The players of the past being led out. I won't go into it too much, as it's being discussed on Michael's report, but some nice touches. I was concerned that they might have asked them to step onto one of the stages, as some didn't look up to making the step, but fortunately, they carried on with their lap of honour. Well, slow walk of honour for many!! Tony Kay being the first to be named and leading the 60s players out. Each and everyone of them got a loud cheer as their names were read out. Particularly loud ones for Latchford, Southalll, Sheedy, Duncan Ferguson,Rooney and Tim Cahill as generation followed generation. I've probably missed a few. Great to see big Nev back at Goodison, but he needs to sort his wardrobe out though. John Bailey carrying a mock up of his FA Cup 1984 Final hat. The occasion was as tremendous as it was emotional and at times, surreal. Happiness and sadness. Many tears, but much celebration and joy. For quite a few, it was like saying goodbye, not just to Goodison, but to people they have sat next to for decades due to the way it's worked out with season ticket sales at the new stadium. I spent time looking around the stadium, picking out the places I have stood and sat over the years. The Enclosure towards the Gwladys Street. The middle of the Lower Gwladys where I stood for years with mates. The rough area in the Top Balcony towards St Lukes, when I first got taken there and being terrified. I would like to give the Southampton supporters a mention. They came in their thousands and were looking and videoing us on their phones. Quite a few stayed behind and were joining in the applause to the players and speeches. I bumped into a few at Lime Street on the way back to pick the car up. I wished them well, and they were very complimentary about the atmosphere. So, it's not goodbye, not farewell, as she will still be there. But now we move to the new lady in our Everton lives. It will feel different, but we can look forward to making new memories. Reader Comments (4) 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 () Si Cooper 1 Posted 19/05/2025 at 09:51:24 Nice one Danny. Great that you got to attend and take your place with the lifeblood of our club.It was very emotional just watching.I’d just like to say, in my opinion, the mainstream media has generally treated us really well over the last few weeks. Maybe it’s just because I wasn’t focussing but I can’t remember similar coverage of the old one when other clubs have moved to a new stadium.TNT really seemed fully on board with our celebrations. A variety of unusual ‘angles’ and scenarios to give the personal perspective of so many.Even the match coverage was ‘immersive’, giving prominence to the announcer at the ground and broadcasting so many faces in the whole range of emotions.It is a huge wrench and there may be tricky patches, but hopefully the spirit exhibited in all the footage will flourish at BMD and make it a fitting successor to Goodison. Ernie Baywood 2 Posted 19/05/2025 at 10:04:03 The New Lady. I like it. Glad you got to go, Danny. Really enjoyed reading your account. By the way, if you want to watch one Southampton supporter's view of the day you can at https://youtu.be/qQYj9NEJl5c?si=5Y1sm97RMGdwtikrReally interesting seeing it from an away fan's perspective. Peter Mills 3 Posted 19/05/2025 at 10:30:46 Glad you made it, Danny. Ted Roberts 4 Posted 19/05/2025 at 11:51:56 Great to hear that you got to attend the final hoorah Danny,a very kindly gesture indeed by the donor. I agree with regards to Seamus,a great honour for him and befitting of his service.The Last men’s captain to lead the team out onto the Goodison pitch,and then we had Ndiaye as the last men’s goal scorer, two possible future quiz questions there !! I didn’t get to see any of it live,but I will indulge in what is offered via the club website today.I did exactly what you did when I attended the Ipswich match,I held back after the final whistle to take it all in as to where I had viewed all that I had seen at The Grand Old Lady,giving an emotional nod in the direction of where it all started for me,the boys pen,back in 1970. “The New Lady” as you so fittingly referred to BMD,is sat waiting for us now,especially the younger generation who will mould the place into our new home over time,in pursuit of the silver and glory that is so drastically overdue. Onwards and upwards Blues. 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