A late unexpected message arrived, asking if I wanted a ticket. A huge thank you to the individua andl, 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 11:15 am. 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, two 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 flare. 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 Park 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 Of The Blues, and Forever Everton 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 dissimilar 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 minutes.
 
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-up 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.
 
Substitutes:
 
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 scarfe 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 (36)

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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=5Y1sm97RMGdwtikr

Really 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 goalscorer, 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.

Richard Lyons
5 Posted 19/05/2025 at 14:42:18
I could do with a friend like yours, Danny!

Thanks for the report.

"Even in the warm up. they looked like a poor team." Funny! But I do feel sorry for them, a little bit…

I hope you're right about Doucoure!

Brian Harrison
6 Posted 19/05/2025 at 14:55:14
Danny, just spotted this post on Grand Old Team.

"Just thought I would give my thoughts as a Saints Fan"

"The day was so special and I felt very privileged to have shared it with you – probably been said hundreds of times on this thread but the scenes outside and the atmosphere inside was something else and the club did the fans proud with the videos, parade and music after.

"To be honest, I was apprehensive leaving the South coast early on Sunday morning. I felt maybe some Evertonians would feel the Saints fans had no right to be at Goodison – that could not have been further from the truth. I have been following the Saints for more years than I care to remember BUT I have never felt such a welcoming fans in my life, had so many fans coming up to me and my Son for a chat, and wishing us luck for next season, it was amazing. Went to Anfield earlier in the year and I could have been anywhere!! So many tourists, rare to hear a scouse accent. Everton are a proper club.

"Goodison got the send off it deserved good luck in your new place. I fear it might be a few years before Saints visit."

I have to say, I was amazed how many Saints fans stayed for the celebrations after the game. There was a point in the 2nd half were the Saints fans were singing about being relegated and me and a couple of hundred fans near them in the Upper Bullens stood to applaud them. To have got up at heaven knows what time to travel all the way to Goodison for a 12:00 o'clock kick-off shows how real fans behave even though they had already been relegated.

I am getting more tearful today than I was at the match; I guess it's just all sinking in now.

David Bromwell
7 Posted 19/05/2025 at 15:24:52
Brian, thank you for your kind words, I am sure many other thanks will follow. I am old school and miss the days when fans mixed together.

Good luck to your club for next season, we found you difficult to play against this year, so it's a relief that you will be missing. But best wishes and good luck, and most of all, enjoy the experience.

Brian Harrison
8 Posted 19/05/2025 at 15:55:20
David @7,

These are the words of a Southampton fan not mine, sorry if I caused confusion.

Mike Gaynes
9 Posted 19/05/2025 at 16:08:13
I'm very happy for you, Danny. So delighted you have this memory to cherish.
Danny O'Neill
10 Posted 19/05/2025 at 17:08:16
Brian, excellent. A few walked past us on County Road in their red and white shirts, before the March ran the gauntlet of "red and white shite" and got booed.

But it was all taken in good humour, even when a few started the"going down" stuff. They laughed and put their thumbs up. A bit below the belt for me, kicking a man when he's down, but it was all taken in good humour.

I travel a lot with Everton and have a knack of mixing and often sitting with away supporters. I rarely, if ever have any issues.

Andy Crooks
11 Posted 19/05/2025 at 17:09:01
Brilliant report, Danny. Thank you for all the contributions.
mike corcoran
12 Posted 19/05/2025 at 18:29:09
Danny, sounds like we were stood near each other in the Street End behind the goal, 1982-87. I was 12 to 17 years old in me Trabbs and mullet.

Went from deserted to crushed against the bar in a matter of weeks in 1984!

Danny O'Neill
13 Posted 19/05/2025 at 20:16:18
Exactly around that time Mike. 83 - 89, when your morning and Echo paper round money got you into the ground. Queueing for the gates to open and get your speck just behind the ledge.

It was a good job there was a barrier at the front of the ledge, both for those young ones tied on in front of it and those behind as the crowd swayed forward!

Si Cooper
14 Posted 19/05/2025 at 23:26:36
Mike and Danny, as a teenager, from 1984-88 I would perch in front of or to the side of a barrier on about 6 inches of ledge before a 5-footish drop to the trench behind the lower terrace, one or both arms hooked on the barrier. Good ‘whole body' workout.

A few yards to the right of the right post (facing towards the Park End).

Had to get in early to get a spot to hold on to, but the crowd was abuzz and entertaining itself for a good hour before kick-off.

I've heard of kids being tied on but can't remember ever encountering any.

Jack Convery
15 Posted 20/05/2025 at 05:30:49
So glad, Danny, you got a ticket and witnessed a truly memorable occasion. The Club and the organisers got this celebration absolutely spot on.

God Bless Goodison and all her memories. God bless everyone who wears and supports our great club. onward and upwards to BMD and to finally realise our great potential to be the best of the best.

Mike Corcoran
16 Posted 20/05/2025 at 08:26:08
Si and Danny,

I was just down from the ledge, behind the goal against a barrier.

James Hughes
17 Posted 20/05/2025 at 08:59:58
Great piece, Danny, and so glad you made it.

Apologies but I need to reflect this. Part of the headline is Respect and we have that to spare.

Look at the way Calvert-Lewin is being treated by our fans with contract expiry and possibly walking away for free.

Compare that with the abuse TAA is getting from Mordor, but apparently we are bitter and twisted.

Dean Johnson
18 Posted 20/05/2025 at 09:24:42
I love that Southampton sang a song for having a shot, brilliant.
Other notables for me include Feed the Yak but the best was Manchester is full of shit song when Rooney took the mic, kin hilarious.

What a day, thanks for the report and thanks to all blues for being the legends they all are 💙💙

Jeff Spiers
19 Posted 20/05/2025 at 09:32:23
James@17. perfect post. The RS will never be happy while EFC lives and breathes. How sad it is to be this bitter and twisted from dawn to dusk. I f. g love it!!
Mark Murphy
20 Posted 20/05/2025 at 09:50:47
Really pleased for you Danny that you got a ticket. I admit I was envious when you told me but having spent the whole match in the Wilmslow I absolutely loved the day. The atmosphere in there was incredible and the songs from inside the ground were sung in unison. So many lovely people in there as well. (Just the one dickhead but I’m not going to go into that now). It was probably, no definitely, the second best place to spend the day. Shout out to my mate Paul Curwen who travelled up from Kent and helped me to drink Liverpool dry of Guinness!
And John Mac who, apparently, is still banned from posting on here? Cmon Michael, open your heart and let him back!
Goodbye Goodison - you were majestic. The new chapter starts at BMD. We’re gonna win the league.
UTFT
Alan McGuffog
21 Posted 20/05/2025 at 09:54:27
Jeff...dead right. Earlier this season they looked nailed on to win the lot. And yet you just know that many of them would have been delighted to forego all that in exchange for us disappearing into the Championship and possibly beyond.
They can't cope with hundreds of thousands of us not buying into their cult
Danny O'Neill
22 Posted 20/05/2025 at 10:00:28
Thanks all.

I always tied my brother to the ledge with his scarf. Others next to him were attached likewise. He didn't move for the entire match. No toilet breaks, but I'd visit him at half time to check on him.

James, the jealousy has started already. I got sent a picture from a Kopite friend yesterday. It had a picture, that must be doing the rounds on social media. It shows two lads carrying a wooden cabinet with a Swiss clock inside with Goodison in the background, with the caption "Everton moving their trophy cabinet to the new stadium".

I shake my head sometimes when I engage with them. Well, most of the times these days.

They can have their day next week. It will be staged and choreographed that will put the Eurovision Song Contest into the shade.

There will likely be significant influx of tourists on their first visit to the city let alone our first stadium, who have apparently been Liverpool "supporters" all their lives, despite not being able to recount anything beyond this season. They will need an Evertonian to tell them who Jimmy "Shithouse" Case was and show them how to spell David Fairclough.

They may attract more than were around Goodison and the city of Liverpool on Sunday. But they won't match that unrivalled natural passion that came from the blue heart. It will be fake and won't come close to what we witnessed.

Bitter us? No, not me, I'll leave that to them, because despite everything, we still get under their skin. Loud and proud as we always are and demonstrated on Sunday.

One of my favourite banners on the wall in the Bricks states "Evertonians are born, not manufactured. We're not bitter, we just don't like you". Wise words.

Brian Harrison
23 Posted 20/05/2025 at 10:32:04
Danny

I was thinking yesterday that the only thing I can take to the new stadium that will be a nod to Goodison is the scarf that was attached to my seat. I don't normally wear a club scarf but I put it on when I got to my seat and didnt take it off till I got home. So I will wear it with pride at the opening game at the new stadium and I hope many others do the same. I spent yesterday looking at everything that was posted on X or the many who posted their thoughts about Sunday. What many mentioned was that both " Thats why they call us the Blues" and "There she goes should be part of the songs sang before every game at the Hill Dickenson or BMD or whatever the fans want to call it.

Ian Jones
24 Posted 20/05/2025 at 10:41:27
Brian
Understand your comment...
'I was thinking yesterday that the only thing I can take to the new stadium that will be a nod to Goodison is the scarf that was attached to my seat.'

However, don't forget, you'll be taking yourself to the new stadium...that's much more than just a nod...

Danny O'Neill
25 Posted 20/05/2025 at 10:57:31
Brian, those two are a must.

I don't know if this will work for everyone, it is TNT footage of the Bill Rider-Jones Band doing their rendition of Spirit after the match. Quality and watch the crowd, including the next generation.

Unfortunately, the only link I can find is via Facebook. Hopefully it works.

Link

When we get to a final next season, we should re-release that version and that should be the official video.

I was talking to a Villa supporter yesterday. Not one of the in-laws, and old Army colleague. He was Sunday's events and asked how I feel about moving to the new stadium.

It's like moving house or changing your girlfriend after being with the previous one for years. It will take time to adapt.

That's all I could come up with!!

Lynn Maher
26 Posted 20/05/2025 at 12:13:00
Danny, delighted you got to go. You definitely deserved to.
As always, I look forward to your reports.
I was awake before the birds on Sunday, couldn’t sleep with so many mixed emotions.
Basically I was in denial.
Left early to go and pick my grandson up, and then straight to Goodison. Got there just before 9.00am and what a day!
I took three packets of tissues with me, and the first ones I handed out where to men. The pollen count was extremely high in Walton 😁
I will never, ever forget the atmosphere in the stadium.
As I have said before, we got married at Goodison Park in 2008. So it has many special memories for me.
I think we now have to look forward to making new memories.
Paul Hughes
27 Posted 20/05/2025 at 12:50:15
I live in Saddleworth on the far side of Oldham. No trains on a Sunday morning from there until 9:30. Nothing for it other than the two of us to get a taxi at 7:15. £80 to the Harlech, bargain. The driver didn't spare the horses, and we were sat down with our pints of Guinness by 8:10.

All the usual faces there, it was quite sad when we left to go at 11:00-ish, shaking hands and saying farewell to a bunch of guys whose names we don't even know.

I'd agree with the comments about the Southampton fans, they were part of the spectacle, and goodness knows what time they set off. We bumped into a few of them on County Road after the match and had a good chat.

So on to the New Lady it is, to start another travelling and drinking routine.

Jeff Spiers
28 Posted 20/05/2025 at 18:13:00
Alan. Too Right!!
Danny O'Neill
29 Posted 20/05/2025 at 18:15:47
Lynn, you lucky lady.

If I would have suggested Goodison as our place of marriage, I would have been frog marched to Villa Park to exchange vows.

James MacGlashan
30 Posted 20/05/2025 at 19:16:00
The New Lady.
Tony Abrahams
31 Posted 20/05/2025 at 19:59:59
I’ve already told you I was delighted you got a ticket Danny, and got to see the last ever Premier league game at the grand old lady.

The great Evertonians, did the Old Lady proud, and gave her such a magnificent and inspirational send-off.

Goodison Pk, has been about so many things to so many of us but like David Moyes said, it’s always been about the people.

I thought about many people on Sunday, but I made sure I got up early and dragged my grandson and his mother, to Goodison Pk, to meet his dad and his mates, who were already drinking on the street, and I made sure I got a few pictures of them together, which he will hopefully appreciate when he’s older😂💙

Bob Parrington
32 Posted 21/05/2025 at 03:01:34
Great scenes from afar and thanks to Chris Williams for the videos.

Most importantly - didn't we lock in 13th position in the league (subject to Wolves not scoring 10 - 0 in their last 2 games)

Paul Ferry
33 Posted 21/05/2025 at 03:18:57
Dean Johnson 18: Other notables for me include "Feed the Yak" but the best was "Manchester is full of shit "song when Rooney took the mic, 'kin hilarious.

Dean, you forgot to add that it took Wayne little time to turn the tables and get the Street End on his side, singing loudly "Rooney". Rooney won that. Just wondering why you didn't continue your story and fill out the blanks?

Don Alexander
34 Posted 21/05/2025 at 20:35:59
Hope neither Danny nor anyone else minds but I've just come across this clip from a couple of years ago and in my opinion Danny's title is appropriate to show a side of our squad that's all too little celebrated.

It made me laugh and cry at the same time;

https://youtu.be/66QFNSaDyCc?si=YQauWpXpng5cTCDP

Danny O'Neill
35 Posted 22/05/2025 at 16:32:54
Don, as if I haven't been emotional this week, you have just pushed me to the limits.

Outstanding and puts into perspective all of our first world problems.

What an inspirational young man and credit to the players at the time.

"I hate Liverpool". Now there is a legend.

Mark Murphy
36 Posted 23/05/2025 at 15:20:38
I finally brought myself to watch the All Access footage of last Sunday.

I was bearing up well until after the match footage and they got the lady announcer do the "Stand by for operation Goodison farewell"…

That killed me.

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