Goodison Park / 1892-2025

[StevO]

"Behold Goodison Park! No single picture could take in the entire scene the ground presents, it is so magnificently large, for it rivals the greater American baseball pitches. On three sides of the field of play there are tall covered stands, and on the fourth side the ground has been so well banked up with thousands of loads of cinders that a complete view of the game can be had from any portion.

"It appears to be one of the finest and most complete grounds in the kingdom, and it is hoped that the public will liberally support the promoters." The publication 'Out Of Doors', reported in October 1892.

[StevO]

Yesterday was the first time I’ve taken my Daughter to Goodison. It had me thinking about memories of the place and I thought I’d start a thread about our memories of Goodison Park. 
 

Yesterday I asked a steward on our way into the upper Gwladys to take a photo of us for her first game. He said ok but follow me, and he took us into the lower tier and took a photo of us with the pitch right behind us. He didn’t have to do that, but it made it special. Even though it was crap on the pitch, it’s a memory I’ll never forget. 
 

I don’t remember my first game, but I remember being 2-0 up against Leeds, sat in the Lower Bullens and my Dad shouting at a Leeds fan “2 down against ten men are ya” My Dad isn’t a shouter, doesn’t really get aggressive, so it’s always stood out in my mind. 
 

Digging up the centre spot with my hands after either the Wimbledon or Coventry game, I can’t remember which, and putting handfuls of pitch in my coat pocket. Then when I got home they went in a bowl on my bedroom window. A couple of weeks later it smelt so bad my Mum threw it in the bin. 
 

Beating Arsenal 1-0 with a late Andy Johnson goal in the rain and hail. Beating Arsenal 3-0 with Martinez. I love us beating Arsenal, it’s not personal, but it kind of makes up for all of the dickings we’ve had over the years. 
 

Me and my mate saying at half time against Palace we will get Dele shirts if he comes on and keeps us up. We didn’t get those shirts. Dele kept up his side of the bargain. 
 

The man I’ve sat next to for the last 15+ years telling me a few months ago that he wants to sit next to me when we move to Bramley-Moore. In all these years we’ve never asked each others name, we probably never will, but I’ve hugged him a thousand times. I hope he’s sat next to me when we move too. 
 

For the ladies derby in a few weeks I’ve got tickets for the whole family. We’ll have three generations together at Goodison, hopefully not for the last time. I’m going to buy Everton shirts for everyone though. Got to make these memories while we can. 
 

Quite emotional thinking about the place. I’d love to hear some of your memories, some of you will have many more than me and will have seen some trophies too. 

[Sev]

What an excellent post, StevO. Thank you very much.

[Wiggytop]

Just a quick response.

My first game 1970, I was 10 we beat Chelsea 5-0, sat in the main stand with my dad, the only game we ever went to together.

fast forward to August 2014, walking past Everton 2, I went in with my 10 year old son, after looking at shirts we went upstairs to see if we get tickets to a game, we got tickets for top balcony upcoming Chelsea game, ooops,  0-2 within minutes, 3-6 full time, had to tell my lad it’s not always this exciting.

Now in our 7th year of ST, it’s going to be very emotional leaving Goodison.

[StevO]

This might be a Gary Neville video, but after tonight, the first few minutes of this video are quite emotional. It’s not just us blues who will miss Goodison Park. Nights like tonight will be special memories for us all.