There are places I’ll remember: My memories of Goodison Park.
Part 1: 1994–1999
My first visit to Goodison Park was April 23rd, 1994. Dad drove us up from home, on the South Coast, and it took about 5 hours. I had stretched my scarf across the boot of the car to signal our loyalties, and throughout the journey north we saw different sets of fans making their ways to various matches. Service stations were full of light hearted banter and as we got closer to Liverpool the density of fellow Evertonians increased.
I still get excited to see the flyover where the M62 reaches Queen’s Drive, which serves as a boundary of the city. We took the orbital north past Bellefield, which at the time was the Everton training ground, and parked up in the car park on the edge of Stanley Park, in the shadow of Anfield. The daffodils were out as we walked across Stanley Park, the excitement building as we caught first glimpses of the roof at Goodison.
I remember walking around the perimeter of the stadium, seeing the old megastore (which used to be on the corner of the Bullens Road and Gwladys Street) and entering through the turnstiles. I am not sure where we were sitting but I skipped up a flight of stairs past an old man making his way up carefully. I was worried that I had shown impatience by overtaking him, and said sorry. He was probably in his 80s and replied “don’t worry kid, I used to run up these steps when I was your age”. Since then I have always jogged up the internal staircase, and think of how many people have gone from enthusiastic youth to pottering ‘arl fella in this place.
The best moment was walking up the steps to take our seats, and seeing that pitch for the first time. I was taken aback at how green it was, and that first view of the inside of the stadium took my breath away. I loved the sound of “Z Cars” as the players entered the pitch and knew I would be back many times.
The game itself was a let down — a drab 0–0 draw with Coventry — but that didn’t matter too much. The matchday experience was as much about getting there, and the companionship, as it was the score. The new Park End was under construction so at the end of the game we took a look and here I am with my Everton scarf.
We listened to the BBC radio phone in called 606 on the way back and got home late. It had been a long day but my first glimpse of Liverpool, and a routine that we did several times. The following season we took a minibus with some Southampton supporters from Dad’s work. That game also finished 0–0.
The first Everton goal I saw at Goodison was scored by Marc Hottiger, in a 3–0 win against Bolton in April 1996.
We went to an FA Cup 3rd round game against Swindon in January 1997 (notable for a very early red card, a debut for 17 year old Richard Dunne, and Paul Rideout playing very well in midfield) as well as the usual spring time fixture, this time a Gary Speed goal giving us 1–0 win against Tottenham.
This was a period where Everton were strong. Despite being very close to relegation in 1994 we won the FA Cup in 1995 and were now challenging for European places. Unfortunately the manager Joe Royle left and our choice of replacement, club legend Howard Kendall, was driven by heart over head. We were in a period of instability and decline.
We went up in April 1998 and saw an important 2–0 win against Leeds, with goals from Don Hutchison and my favourite player, Duncan Ferguson. Our routine was a traditional Saturday 3pm kick off, to drive up and back on the same day, and to walk across Stanley Park at the start of spring.
My first night game was February 17th 1999, and a 5–0 win against Middlesbrough.
A magnificent run of 7 games without seeing us concede a single goal!
Part 2: 1999–2003
In September 1999 I began my studies at the University of Liverpool, a choice driven by my desire to be closer to Everton. I went to several games in that first year and am not sure which ones. Often I would just turn up and get a ticket. I usually sat in the lower Gwladys and get the bus back into town after. Towards the end of my degree I took an FA Coaching course and worked for a soccer school on the Wirral. I also spent a year after graduating working in an office on the Albert Dock, and met some great people and fellow Evertonians. A few games that come to mind:
- Arriving late and missing Francis Jeffers’ goal in a 1–1 draw with Coventry.
- Booing a lumbering Mark Hughes in a 3–1 defeat to Champions Manchester United
- Gary Speed and Duncan Ferguson’s return in a 2–0 defeat against Newcastle.
- My first Merseyside derby — a 3–1 loss and Steven Gerrard cupping his ear as he ran along the entire Bullens Road stand.
This was also the start of the David Moyes era and the emergence of future England captain Wayne Rooney. The first time I saw him in an Everton shirt was a 1–1 draw against Birmingham. That was only his second Premier League start and it was immediately obvious just how good he was. We finished 7th that season and it was a good time to be an Evertonian.
Part 3: 2003–2014
I moved to America in 2003 but still managed an annual trip to Goodison Park. In David Moyes’ difficult second season I saw us beat Leicester 3–2 (my first Wayne Rooney goal!) but we finished just 1 point above the relegation zone. I spent the summer of 2004 in Birkenhead and went to the first game of the 2004/05 season with a friend.
We lost 4–1 to Arsenal and things looked bleak — especially when we sold Rooney to Manchester United on transfer deadline day.
As it turned out, Moyes created a solid and hard working team that went on to qualify for the Champions League. The onset of message boards and the prevalence of internet streams meant that I could follow most games and felt closer to the club than ever before. Dad would post newspaper clippings to keep me updated even though I was watching most matches live!
The disappointment at being knocked out of the Champions League qualifying round by Villareal, then being dumped out of the consolation prize of the UEFA cup by Dynamo Bucharest, coincided with poor league form that saw a run of 6 straight defeats without scoring a goal. But results gradually improved and we ended up comfortably mid table. I had a ticket for the penultimate home game, against Birmingham on April 22nd. I was staying at my parents with my then girlfriend (now wife), who drove us up. It was nice to repeat that traditional Goodison experience, and she dropped me at the stadium.
I was early enough to see some of the players arrive, and got Duncan Ferguson to autograph the back of my shirt. I then made my way to the Chepstow Castle to meet a friend for a pre match pint. We caught that magnificent view of Goodison Park at the end of the terraced streets, and although the game finished 0–0 it was one of my favourite trips.
By the start of the 2006/07 season I was married and living just outside London. I went up to see us lose 4–2 to Manchester United, a match notable for the euphoria of seeing Manuel Fernandes’ strike that put us 2–0 ahead, and the nastiness of Wayne Rooney scoring against us and kissing the United badge. We went back to the pub after the game and several people had left without even knowing United had scored a 4th.
We were a good team during this period — David Moyes had us competing regularly in Europe and knocking on the door of the top four. In January 2008 I went with my Dad and brother to the second leg of the league cup semi final. We sat in the Main Stand for a change and saw a disappointing 1–0 loss.
In March 2009 I went with my brother to the FA Cup quarter final against Middlesbrough. We sat in the Paddock and had a great view of the Gwladys.
The semi finals were being played at Wembley so when Louis Saha scored to make it 2–1 the stadium erupted — there was a fantastic atmosphere of knowing that we were getting closer and closer to challenging for trophies.
We won the semi final against Manchester United (on penalties) but despite scoring the quickest goal in FA Cup final history, we couldn’t overcome a strong Chelsea side in the May sunshine, and lost 2–1.
The only game I went to in 2009/10 was the first leg of the Europa League round of 32. We beat Sporting Lisbon 2–1 but lost the second leg 3–0.
My daughter was born in December 2010 and we spent a big chunk of 2011 living in California. My next trip to Goodison wasn’t until the end of the 2011/12 season. We drove up, sat in the lower Gwladys, and had a pint in the stadium before the match. It was another FA Cup Quarter Final, this time a 1–1 draw against Sunderland.
My son was born in 2012 and we started to think about how to introduce the next generation to the game. In the 2012/13 season my brother brought my niece to her first match, which I think was a 2–0 win over Sunderland on November 10th. In the 2013/14 season I caught the train up and met my Dad and brother in Liverpool. We sat in the Bullens Road, noticed the iconic Archibald Leitch latticework, and beat West Ham 1–0 with a Lukaku goal. We were playing with flair and attacking intent. David Moyes had left us for Manchester United, and his replacement, Roberto Martinez, had loosened the shackles.
Part 4: 2014–2025
We had qualified for Europe again in 2014/15 and this was a different routine but one I enjoyed —a train up from London, pre match pint, Thursday evening kick off, hotel overnight and back home the next morning. I saw us beat Lille 3–0 on November 6th and Young Boys 3–1 on February 26th.
I waited until my daughter was 5 before taking her to her first game at Goodison, and picked a pre-season friendly against Villarreal on August 3rd 2015. This was particularly special because it was the testimonial for my favourite player, Duncan Ferguson, and saw Wayne Rooney appear as a late substitute for Everton. We sat in the upper Bullens.
On January 16th 2016 we had another League cup semi final, this time against Manchester City. A narrow 2–1 win gave us hope for the second leg, but we went on to lost that and miss out again on a final. March 19th I saw us lose 2–0 to Arsenal in a lunchtime kick off. Those European adventures and cup runs masked a deterioration in our defensive organisation, and Roberto Martinez would be sacked at the end of the season.
The 2016/17 season was one of optimist. New owner Farhad Moshiri had appointed Ronald Koeman as manager and we were ambitious and well financed. I saw a 1–0 win against Watford from the Main stand. My brother-in-law joined us and our culinary expectations developed — we drank some sort of Grappa in a Chinese baijiu bar in Ropewalks prior to the now routine of a pint in the Brick.
The 2017/18 season we were in Europe again. We spent big in the summer, including the return of Wayne Rooney, but there was a disjoined recruitment plan and things imploded. I went to the game against Atalanta on November 23rd; we lost 5–1 in a shambolic performance. It was one of the lowest attendance at Goodison Park in recent years — just 17,431. Koeman was soon sacked, and replaced with Sam Allardyce. At the end of that season Moshiri rolled the dice again and hired Marco Silva as manager.
By the 2017/18 season I thought my daughter was old enough for her first Premier League match. We took the train up together and met my Dad, brother and niece. It was not a great view from the lower Gwladys but we beat Brighton 3–1 with 2 goals from Richarlison and had a nice meal at Wagamama after.
2019/20. Once again, however, the second season proved harder than the first. Marco Silva was sacked and I was desperate to see a game with Duncan Ferguson as caretaker manager. I went up for the League Cup quarter final against Leicester on December 18th.
Leighton Baines scored a stunning last minute equaliser but we lost on penalties
Covid meant that games were being played behind closed doors, and Everton fans weren’t able to witness any of the successful 2020/21 season under Carlo Ancelotti. When he left for Real Madrid, and Rafa Benitez was appointed as successor, it marked a spell of turmoil both on and off the pitch. Sanctions against Russia meant that our sponsorship income dried up, and the Premier League’s haphazard implementation of Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) came at the worst possible time. We had managers come and go, points deductions, and major question marks about the financial sustainability of the club and the feasibility of completing a new stadium under construction on the banks of the river Mersey. Trips to Goodison became tinged by sadness about leaving, the fear of relegation, and uncertainty about the survival of the club.
Once fans were allowed back in stadiums, in 2021/22, my son had become old enough for his first match and so I took him to the Leicester game on April 20th. We got the train up and met by Dad and brother for a great lunch at Madre.
We drew 1–1 and Richarlison scored a very late equaliser. Under Frank Lampard we just about managed to stay up.
After the game we went to Bramley Moore Dock, the site of the new stadium. At this point, April 2022, there was not much to see. But over the next few visits the progress would be dramatic.
I don’t think I went to Goodison in 2022/23. Sean Dyche had replaced Lampard and installed a tough to beat but hard to watch style of play that was focused purely on survival.
2023/24 was expected to be much calmer. But multiple points deductions turned us from mid table safety to yet another relegation battle. I went to the home game against Crystal Palace on February 19th 2024 with the kids. We took a taxi to Bramley Moore Dock before kick off and marvelled at the progress.
We then had a few photos outside the stadium and a pint in The Brick.
We had a poor view in the lower Bullens and I made a point of taking a photo of the wooden seats. A steward offered to take our photo, recognising that for many fans each trip might be the last. We drew 1–1 with a late equaliser by Onana which sent us out of the relegation zone.
2024/25 is the final season at Goodison Park. I brought the kids back for the League cup 2nd round tie against Doncaster on August 27th. We went to see the new stadium again, and had a drink in the Bramley Moore.
Then one in The Brick before making our way in to the ground.
Our seats in the Main stand gave us a good view of the Gwladys Street.
After an awful first half of football we won 3–0 with a standout goal by Ndiaye and finished off by Beto.
In January we had sacked Sean Dyche and David Moyes had returned as manager. There was tangible hope that he would be able to steady things, ensure safety, and allow us to not only look to next season with confidence but enjoy the final games at Goodison Park. February 1st my Dad, brother and I came up for what we assumed to be our final game. Although I took the train up it was fitting that we all drove back together in the car. Just like old times.
We started with a pint in The Brick and walked past the Winslow to see the statue of Dixie Dean.
Our seats were possibly the worst view in the whole ground — the back row of the lower Gwladys — and a fantastic flag display that added to the atmosphere but detracted from the view.
A goal from Doucoure straight after kick off, and another within the first 5 minutes from Beto signalled that this was going to be a perfect tribute. Beto scored again just before half time, and we soaked up the atmosphere on the main concourse.
The cherry on the top came with a cool finish by Iliman Ndiaye, and the 4–0 win was beyond our wildest hopes.
On full time we let the stadium empty before taking some final photos in the corner of the Main Stand and Gwladys Street.
It was dusk as we were leaving, and I paused at the section of the timeline showing the first appointment of Moyes. It felt good to have him back, and for the easing of our relegation fears. David Moyes, Howard Kendall, Duncan Ferguson. These murals of heroes who all left their mark on this wonderful stadium.
Other games that come to mind, where I envy those who were there: Rooney’s winner against Arsenal in 2002; the Lee Carsley derby in 2004, beating Manchester United 1–0 that same year, the 2006 derby victory. Last season’s 2–0 win against Liverpool, almost guaranteeing our survival and costing them the title, was euphoric. And we can’t forget the four “must win” victories, against Wimbledon in 1994, Coventry in 1996, Crystal Palace in 2022, and Bournemouth in 2023, which mark Goodison’s modern history. Indeed, when I think of Goodison’s best moments of the last 30 years, I didn’t attend any. But it wasn’t really ever about the match. Going to Goodison was an annual ritual that we shared. It was an excuse to get together, and we probably swerved the big games on purpose.
The moments I witnessed at Goodison I’ll remember the most are Fernandes’s bullet strike against United; Leighton Baines versus Leicester; Richarlison’s third goal against Brighton; and Ndiaye’s brilliance against Doncaster. But I think it’s fair to say that my favourite ever visit to Goodison, was the last one. A goal from kick off, an emphatic 4–0 win, and David Moyes waving toward me at the end. A fitting and fortunate way to leave things.
We walked down to the new stadium and had a pint in the Bramley Moore. It looks stunning, and I have a ticket for the first ever match there, in two weeks time. It really felt like this weekend was the perfect way to say goodbye to the old, and look to the future with confidence.
I’ve been going to Goodison Park for exactly 30 years. From being driven up by my Dad; to living in the city and going with mates; to midweek excursions for cup semi finals and European nights; to bringing my own children. A generation has passed but a constancy throughout.
That final time I jogged up the steps I turned around and saw my Dad walking up behind me. I think of how many people trod that path, how many Evertonians have gone from bright hoped children to parents. I think of those who want to see the Grand Old Lady one last time, those who can’t, and those who never will. Farewell Goodison Park. You were always there.
