08/05/2025 35comments  |  Jump to last

With the final ever game set to be played at Goodison Park in just 10 days, regular fans on ToffeeWeb have been musing over what sort of unique events might be in the works to celebrate the passing of Everton's iconic home ground.

The 1878 Group have done a fantastic job orchestrating the fans at Goodison Park as the countdown to this final game against Southampton a week on Sunday has ticked on relentlessly through the remaining home games this season. But the 1878s finished their brilliant work last Saturday at the penultimate game against Ipswich Town.

So now it will be the club itself that becomes the focus as they take final control of the pre-match and half-time revelries, as well as what might be done to control what is set to be an emotional post-match wake as a pitch invasion must surely be on the cards once that final whistle blows. 

There have been suggestions that the team will wear a special kit recalling the 'Cambridge Blue' shirts worn at the first ever game.  

Former great and Goodison regular, Peter Reid is expecting Everton to invite a lot of their club legends back for the final game at Goodison.

“On that day, I just want to suck everything in,” said Reid. “I think it will be very. very emotional. I think even talking about it, you go wow the last time at Goodison Park. I’ve gone about the history, but that will all come out.

“I don’t know how many ex-players are being invited. I’m sure the club will all of the living ones they can there. I’m convinced, that’ll be amazing.”

And the club has already announced plans for fans to buy their seats at Goodison Park! Season Ticket and Hospitality Members will have an exclusive purchase window starting from tomorrow at 10am (Friday 9 May), with seats priced at £90 each (plus £10 for UK postage and packaging).

 

Reader Comments (35)

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Mike Doyle
1 Posted 07/05/2025 at 19:07:02
Has the club actually arranged anything of significance to mark the end of playing at Goodison?

I've seen plenty of evidence of what the 1878 Group have done, but has anything else happened?

I was expecting to players of yesteryear paraded to the crowd (and other sentimental stuff). Have I missed anything?

Paul Ferry
2 Posted 07/05/2025 at 19:09:32
I hear, Mike, that there is a plan for 100+ old players to be paraded after the final whistle. Nothing else yet.
Mike Doyle
3 Posted 07/05/2025 at 21:17:48
Paul

I hope you are right. It would seem fitting to see a selection of the older players grace the pitch again…

Colin Harvey, Bob Latchford, Big Nev – and if Graeme Sharp can be forgiven, then it's time my late father's favourite Everton player, Tony Kay, was invited to join them.

Brendan McLaughlin
4 Posted 07/05/2025 at 21:27:38
"I hear, Mike, that there is a plan for 100+ old players to be paraded after the final whistle."

What about the guys who are under 100?

Paul Ferry
5 Posted 08/05/2025 at 03:09:22
Alright Brendan, that's good.

Hallelujah Mike: I would love to see Dave Abrahams and the others who hold Tony Kay dear to their hearts see him walk out on that pitch for maybe the last time. He's 87 for fuck's sake. He deserves this moment, as does Dave A et al.

Danny O'Neill
6 Posted 08/05/2025 at 07:10:24
Paul,

Dave Abrahams, my father and many others have spoken in high regard of Tony Kay for me to have a view on a player I never watched.

Some say he would have played in the England 1966 World Cup winning team. I think it might have been Dave, but the only question was who would have made way had he been allowed to carry on his career. Kendall, Ball or Harvey?

I hope the club includes him. Today, he would have got a 10 match ban and a hefty fine. Not a lifetime footballing sentence.

Paul Ferry
7 Posted 08/05/2025 at 07:19:58
Is right, Danny. Really good post.

I think Dave A et al might shed a tear if Tony Kay 87 walked on that pitch after our last game in what will always be our spiritual home.

Tony Abrahams
8 Posted 08/05/2025 at 07:50:19
I have been having to go to Southport a lot lately.

According to one of the fellas who has to travel with me, he reckons that the pub at the side of the pier, that plays live music every day, belongs to Tony Kay.

Frank Fearns
9 Posted 08/05/2025 at 07:57:16
Tony Kay was one of the best midfield players I've watched over the years. I was trying to liken him to a player from the modern age. The one that comes to mind is Gana Gueye when he was at his peak.

I'd be interested to know what other 'old farts' think. Sometime after his suspension, I believe he graced the pitches of Huyton playing for a pub team - I think the Oak or Wheatsheaf?!

Paul Ferry
10 Posted 08/05/2025 at 08:00:45
Formby By-pass, Tony, through Ainsdale, Birkdale. I know that better than Knotty Ash and somewhere called Childwall. I know that boozer by the pier. Lovely story TA. He's making a few quid there.

'Tony Kay was once again present on the pitch at Goodison Park among a group of 100 Everton Legends, as the club celebrated a record 100 seasons of top flight football at the start of the 2002–03 campaign. He received a standing ovation from the crowd'.

I bet Tony Kay will be there at the last farewell.

Danny O'Neill
11 Posted 08/05/2025 at 08:04:04
More my time, I hope the club invites Neville Southall. That's if he would accept it. It's a new regime now, so they shouldn't be scared of him like the last lot.

He understands the supporters better than most and the club could learn a lot off him.

I read recently that the big man had been on a drip in hospital. I'm not sure how true it was, but if so, I hope he is recovering.

Peter Mills
12 Posted 08/05/2025 at 08:04:48
Some great comments about Tony Kay, a lovely gentleman I have met a couple of times over the past few years.

A very modest man, kind with his advice to my grandsons, who has no bitterness about the huge injustice that befell him.

Paul Ferry
13 Posted 08/05/2025 at 08:10:30
Lovely post, Peter. You have a way with words and emotions.
Tony Abrahams
14 Posted 08/05/2025 at 08:12:15
One of the best things about those legendary “Hall of Fame” nights, was bumping into characters like the permanently smiling Wally Fielding, Paul.

The arguments are getting stronger in my house between my twins, because me being an old fashioned dad, means I only got my boy a season ticket, but it's definitely my daughter, who has got that blue blood, running through her veins.

They are constantly fighting over that last game, and it's usually started by my daughter, because her brother hasn't conceded yet, and it's probably making her nervous!

I wonder how many people will turn up around the streets of Goodison Park?

Paul Ferry
15 Posted 08/05/2025 at 08:13:52
I wonder how many people will turn up around the streets of Goodison Park?

Thousands, Tony.

Danny O'Neill
16 Posted 08/05/2025 at 08:19:33
I seriously hope the club and the city have factored this in. I think it will be tens of thousands. Some will stay in town, but most will head to Goodison and County Road.

In my opinion, big screens in Stanley Park is a sensible approach.

My fear is how they steward and police a potential surge when they open the gates to let people out. Surely they must be aware that people, with good intentions, will try to get in??

Derek Thomas
17 Posted 08/05/2025 at 08:27:58
Danny; the legend has it (and we romantics always go with the legend, as the newspaper proverb states - when given a choice between the so called facts and the Legend - always print the Legend) is that Alf Ramsey phoned Harry up nearly in tears asking is it true and who will replace him and Harry recommended Stiles, the rest as they say - is History.

I went to the Roger the Dodger's testimonial in the early 70s and playing under 'A. N. Other' Tony Kay was MotM.

If we go all Harry Turtledove, imagine a universe where Catterick doesn't get rid of Collins in 1962...who was Footballer of the year in 1965.
Where Tony Kay is not banned.
Colin Harvey is in the mix along with Gabriel and Denis Stevens.
In 1966/67 Ball and Kendall are added.
The mind boggles.

The whole of the 1963 Inter Milan game is on the GOT site somewhere... maybe via Pathe?

Watch Kay playing in the Gana / Carsley role...only better...Alex Parker was pretty tasty too.
Turn off Wolstenholme's patronising/ damning us with faint praise commentary though.

Tony Abrahams
18 Posted 08/05/2025 at 08:33:11
Fifty thousand? Sixty thousand? Seventy thousand, or over one hundred thousand even?

They have done their best to possibly try and limit the numbers with a 12 o'clock kick-off… but it's Everton, and the last ever game we are talking about, so it wouldn't surprise me if there are over 100,000 on the streets of Walton a week on Sunday.

Is it too late to arrange a march from Bramley-Moore Dock to Goodison Park, I wonder? Do us a favour, Danny, e-mail your mates in the 1878 fan group and ask them, please, mate, because it would be lovely to see a few thousand people making their final pilgrimage to Goodison Park from our new home!

Danny O'Neill
19 Posted 08/05/2025 at 09:07:38
Derek, and others, great suff. Rather than live in the past, I always respect it, just as we will today on VE Day. I wish the club would remember some of those they have forgotten, or ignore.

Tony, I can only ask, but that is a great idea.

Dave Abrahams
20 Posted 08/05/2025 at 09:35:35
Regarding Tony Kay I rate Gana Gueye a lot. And no disrespect but Kay was really unreplacable – he definitely would have been in that 1966 England team with Jackie Charlton and Bobby Moore tossing up to see who played centre-half. I'm afraid Colin Harvey would have to drop out of that midfield trio.

I lived in Shaw Street off Islington when I first got married and Tony Kay had a place almost opposite my house and a big van with “Kay's Kardboards” right across it, how sad to see such a fabulous footballer scrapping for a living.

Tony later received a short jail sentence for something trivial and he was well looked after by people I knew doing his time, Reds and Blues. He kept that friendship up when he came out — they came out a lot longer than Tony!

Derek, I went to that Roger Hunt benefit game, had to jib in there was that many at the game and it was pissing down, sorry raining very heavily, that night but didn't know Tony played in that game.

Rob Halligan
21 Posted 08/05/2025 at 09:41:25
Let's hope it's a warm sunny day and we can stand outside Goodison with a few cans because all the pubs are going to be absolutely rammed.

We plan on getting down to the stadium around 9:00 am but I bet even then everywhere will be packed. I've heard the Winslow will be opening at 8:30 am, the Taxi Club on Cherry Lane at 9:00 am, and The Brick probably won't shut on Saturday night!

We went to The Winslow last Saturday and I wish we hadn't bothered. If you've no patience, standing in a queue in a pub waiting to be served, then I think none of the pubs around the stadium will be to your liking!

Danny O'Neill
22 Posted 08/05/2025 at 10:03:36
I think bring the former players out and introduce them just before the match. Form a welcome party as the the team comes out to the siren and Z-Cars.

Having them on pitch at half time often get's lost as many have gone downstairs for a cold sausage roll, drink or call of nature.

No point bringing them on at the end. Many are getting on a bit and the pitch is going to be invaded, so it will be dangerous for them. It's one thing showing Jake O'Brien in the air, but doing it to an 80 year old would put his health in danger as much as he'd probably love it!!!

This is going to be massive. We could potentially match the dreaded events of the 26th May here and there will be an outpouring of emotion to match it.

Geoff Cadman
23 Posted 08/05/2025 at 10:17:22
Frank #9

He was a celebrity referee for a game at Jubilee Park in Huyton. I can't remember the details of the game, it was early 60's, before the betting scandal.

Danny I think he would have played instead of Kendal, which begs the question, if Kay had not been banned, would Howard Kendal have signed, and later become our most successful manager

Ernie Baywood
24 Posted 08/05/2025 at 10:18:43
https://www.evertonfc.com/news/2025/may/08/evet/

There are the plans

Danny O'Neill
25 Posted 08/05/2025 at 10:45:37
Thanks Ernie,

To repeat, I just wouldn't bring them on after the final whistle. Try as they may, right or wrong, I doubt it will be possible to stop a pitch invasion.

As for advising ticketless supporters not to travel. Good luck with that.

They should have been thinking about this months ago and setting up Stanley Park or even Bramley Moore. Not waiting until just over a week before to advise people not to travel. They should have foreseen this and made contingency plans for those who can't attend, but want to be there.

Brian Williams
26 Posted 08/05/2025 at 10:53:43
Hope there isn't a pitch invasion as that could adversely effect the after match show/celebration that's planned.

Will have to be a change of plan with regard to the usual gate openings at 3/4 time too!

Ernie Baywood
27 Posted 08/05/2025 at 11:13:46
I'll be watching from afar. I really hope they stream the after match occasion. I very much doubt overseas broadcasts will cover the whole lot.

Liam Mogan
28 Posted 08/05/2025 at 11:28:54
Hopefully Everton stick the post match stuff live on the website or on YouTube, Ernie. Can't see why they wouldn't.
Rob Williamson
29 Posted 08/05/2025 at 12:12:36
I know it’s probably too late now but I wonder if the club considered asking the Southampton fans to forgo their ticket allocation to allow a few more Blues to get in for the final game.
ps I met Tony Kay in a beach bar outside Benidorm in 1972. Nice guy.
James Hughes
30 Posted 08/05/2025 at 12:51:45
Tony, sorry but S'oton took all their allocated tickets. I guess they want to be part of the party
Danny O'Neill
31 Posted 08/05/2025 at 12:52:29
They can't Rob.

Premiereague rules state it must be 3,000 to away supporters if the capacity is over 30,000.

I think ours is just below that, but only by a few, due to segregation arrangements.

The only way it happens is if the opposition club declare they can't sell their allocation. At Goodison, that has often resulted in the Upper Bullens away section being released to home supporters.

Many away supporters I travel with also want their last visit to Goodison.

I'll be hope. In the ground or not, I've got nearly half a century of memories that will never leave me.

Geoff Cadman
32 Posted 08/05/2025 at 12:59:54
Southampton sold out their full allocation last week. The tickets where only on sale to season ticket holders. To try and prevent tickets being sold on, 1000 ticket holders, to be decided randomly, will need to collect their tickets at Goodison before the game.
Colin Malone
33 Posted 08/05/2025 at 13:16:10
I would love to see Johnny Morrissey again. Now 85 years of age, according to Wiki.
Jeff Armstrong
34 Posted 08/05/2025 at 13:21:43
Do they still open the gates at 3/4 time?
Could get messy if they do.
Bill Gall
35 Posted 08/05/2025 at 13:33:28
Frank @9 I ran a Sunday League team and we played a friendly against I believe was Crawfords. At that time it was a rumor that T.Kay was playing in some teams, so it was a bit of a surprise when he played against us, if anyone wonders if he just played for fun they could talk to our winger who I imagine he is still carrying the bruises today.
The sadness of his suspension was Kay was supposed to be voted as man of the match for the game that was part of the investigation.

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