Everton face Southampton this afternoon and fans are preparing to wave goodbye to Goodison Park in what’s sure to be an emotional day for the blue half of Merseyside
Everton’s team bus was forced to take an alternative route to Goodison Park as fans packed the streets ahead of its Premier League farewell. The club’s men will play their final match at the famous stadium against Southampton this afternoon, kicking off at 12pm.
A sea of blue shirts, flags and flares has engulfed the surrounding areas, with thousands of fans ready to welcome the Toffees’ arrival. David Moyes and his players had to go on a different route, though, as their normal path was blocked.
Fans were expecting to welcome the team bus from its usual route before 10:45am. But an announcement on the PA system outside of Goodison Park confirmed the news that the bus had gone in a different direction.
Everton’s men have played at Goodison Park for the last 133 years but are ready to say goodbye, as they prepare to move into their new £800million stadium on Bramley-Moore Dock. It was confirmed this week that their new 52,888-seater ground will be named the Hill Dickinson Stadium after agreeing a deal with the law firm.
But all the focus on Sunday will be saying goodbye to Goodison, with the stadium confirmed to become the permanent home of Everton’s women’s team next season. Supporters have been encouraged to stay behind for a special celebration inside the stadium after the final whistle.
Everton have already secured their Premier League survival while Southampton have been relegated to the Championship. The Toffees brought back club legend Moyes to steer them to safety in January and the Scot has done a magnificent job.
Moyes, 62, is braced for an emotional occasion. He wrote in his programme notes: “Evertonians have loved their many years at Goodison but throughout football this stadium has been widely recognised as one of English football’s most iconic. It has hosted a World Cup semi-final, it has staged two FA Cup finals and it’s a place we are all proud of.
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“It has changed down the years, from the swaying terraces of the ’60s and ’70s to today’s bouncing stands, but it has always retained the same character and authenticity. For me the iconic picture I have of Goodison Park is Andy Gray’s goal on that famous night against Bayern Munich.
“That was the goal which gave that great Everton side the lead on the night and the crowd reaction behind the goal is something that always stays with me. I have always hoped we can emulate that in some way with our supporters in the future.
“I am following in illustrious footsteps in writing these notes. Men like Harry Catterick, Howard Kendall and Walter Smith have done this job before me. They are no longer with us but their influence still permeates this place.
“They played a huge part in the development of Everton FC and I know some of their family members will be here today to share in this occasion. It is a significant moment in a great football club’s history and we want to mark it with as good a send-off as we can possibly deliver.
“Lots of great players have played here. The latest to do that have a responsibility to play with pride on a day when everyone hopes we can give this Grand Old Lady the best send-off we possibly can. Goodbye Goodison, you’ve served us well.”
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