A Bittersweet Day of History and High Emotion as the Toffees Bid Adieu to Their Beloved Home

The air was electric as thousands of Everton fans gathered outside Goodison Park, their beloved home of 133 years, to bid a poignant farewell to the iconic stadium. The atmosphere was a perfect blend of nostalgia, excitement, and sadness as the Toffees delivered a fitting sendoff with a 2-0 win over Southampton, securing a memorable victory in their final match at the historic venue.

As the clock struck four hours before kick-off, blue smoke billowed around the stadium, a poignant reminder of the momentous occasion. The grand old arena, known for its rich history and atmospheric surroundings, was packed to the rafters with fans who had come to pay their respects to the place that had been their second home for generations.

The familiar sights and sounds of Goodison Park still assaulted the senses as Evertonians made their way to the stadium, eager to be a part of this momentous occasion. Thousands thronged the streets from 8am, with Goodison Road close to impassable, forcing the team to take a different route into the stadium. The coach arrived on Bullens Road, hidden behind more blue plumes of smoke rising into the Merseyside sunshine.

Fans flocked to the famous landmarks, swarming around the ‘Holy Trinity’ statue, commemorating the 1970 title-winning midfield of Alan Ball, Colin Harvey, and Howard Kendall, and opposite St Luke the Evangelist church on the corner of Gwladys Street. The statue of former striker Dixie Dean, who still holds the record of 60 league goals in 1927-28, was also a popular spot.

As the fans made their way inside, the stadium was packed well before kick-off, the air raid siren blared out, and tears were shed as the familiar drumbeat introduced Everton’s famous ‘Z Cars’ anthem. Goodison Park was literally rocking, with the giant Main Stand, regarded as state of the art when opened in 1970, and the criss-cross designs along the Bullens Road Stand that are the trademark of famous Scottish architect Archibald Leitch, packed in a sea of royal blue.

The game itself was a fitting tribute to the stadium, with Iliman Ndiaye scoring both goals in the first half. However, it was the emotional moments that stole the show, as over 70 former players gathered before being paraded in front of the fans. There were warm ovations for former captain and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Carlo Ancelotti, who managed the club for 18 months before returning to Real Madrid.

The day was a momentous occasion for the club’s worldwide family, re-united once more. Everton manager David Moyes, who will lead the club into the new stadium in his second spell in charge, captured the mood. “This was an extraordinary atmosphere,” he confessed. “The crowd were amazing inside Goodison Park, as it was outside before the game. Just unbelievable. The job was to win the game and see ourselves out at Goodison in a good light.”

As the final whistle blew, the fans erupted in a wall of sound that swept around the stadium. Video messages from football figures, including England head coach Thomas Tuchel, recalled their memories of Goodison Park’s unique atmosphere. The day was a testament to the passion, colour, and emotion of the Everton fans, and the club’s new American owners, The Friedkin Group, would do well to bottle up this atmosphere and take it to the new stadium at Bramley Moore Dock.

As the fans filed out of the stadium, they were met with a lone trumpeter playing a final, mournful version of ‘Z Cars’ to close the day. Thousands of fans remained in their seats, unable to tear themselves away from the places they had come to call their home. Tears of joy, despair, and relief had all been shed here at Goodison Park, but as former Everton striker Andy Gray so eloquently put it, “We will leave Goodison Park. Goodison Park will never leave us.”