Goodison Park to Hold a Heartfelt Farewell as the Last Merseyside Derby Approaches

Goodison Park, the historic home of Everton since 1892, is set to host the Merseyside derby for the last time on Wednesday, as the Toffees look to thwart Liverpool’s pursuit of Premier League glory.

Next season, Everton will transition to a modern, 53,000-capacity stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, leaving behind the country’s first major football ground.

The roots of Goodison Park are deeply intertwined with the rivalry between the two clubs in the city.

Established in 1878, Everton initially played at Anfield until a disagreement over rent arose between landlord John Houlding and the club’s board.

Rather than acquiesce to Houlding’s demands, Everton relocated to a new plot just across Stanley Park, a mere half-mile away.

With a vacant stadium but no team, Houlding, a local entrepreneur and politician, seized the opportunity to establish his own club – Liverpool.

Goodison Park was a trailblazing venue. It hosted the FA Cup final twice, in 1894 and 1910, helping Everton to become the wealthiest club in England at the time thanks to record crowds.

“Behold Goodison Park!” proclaimed The Out of Doors publication in October 1892.

“No single image could capture the grandeur of the entire scene the ground presents; it is magnificently large.”

A series of enhancements ensured that Goodison Park remained one of England’s premier stadiums for over a century, staging more matches than all but Wembley during England’s World Cup triumph in 1966.

Everton experienced its golden age in the 1980s, securing two league titles, the FA Cup, and the European Cup Winners’ Cup between 1984 and 1987.

They currently rank fifth in terms of English top-flight titles, trailing only Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester City.

However, their last title win was 38 years ago, and the club has yet to win a trophy since the FA Cup in 1995.

“It’s a venue rich in history. You can truly feel it, and that adds an extra edge to the atmosphere,” said Peter MacFarlane from Everton fan podcast The Blue Room, in conversation with AFP.

“As an Everton supporter, it’s rare to find followers who are in it for the glory, especially over these past 30 years.”

“We’re drawn to the club out of love, and that passion resonates through Goodison. Every match matters to us, particularly the derby!”

The club’s venerable ground has mirrored its decline on the pitch.

When the Park End stand opened in 1994, increasing the capacity to 40,000, Goodison was only surpassed by Old Trafford and Anfield. Today, it has fallen to 12th place.

As Everton grappled with relegation over the last three seasons, the atmosphere at Goodison has played a vital role in helping maintain an uninterrupted stay in the top flight for 71 years.

The recent return of David Moyes as manager has steered Everton towards safety and sparked hope for a fresh beginning in their new ground.

“Goodison will be missed. It’s where my grandad went, where my dad went; it’s all we’ve ever known, but the time has come to move on,” MacFarlane reflected.

“No matter where Everton play, the supporters will always be there.”

The club is embarking on a long and emotional farewell, with just seven games remaining.

Interrupting Liverpool’s ambitions to equal Manchester United’s record with 20 English titles would serve as the perfect send-off for the long-suffering Toffees supporters.