Match Day Memories

Everton Football Club is almost 150 years old, and they have called Goodison Park home for 133 of those years. It is absolutely core to the club's history and identity. Here we share memories from across the years from match-going fans who have visited 'Goodbye to Goodison.'

“Using turnstile number 8 because: Who's the greatest of them all? Little curly Alan Ball.” - Barry, a visitor to the exhibition.

“I remember going in the boy’s pen in the early 1970s and learning how to survive the ritual that was the boy’s pen. Progressing to the Gwladys Street and my favourite game was the Bayern Munich semi-final in 1985. - David, a visitor to the exhibition.

“I remember the First of April 1970. I saw the Toffees beat West Brom 2-0, with my late father, to clinch the First Division title. We were in the Paddock and climbed over the wall onto the pitch to see us presented with the trophy in the old Goodison Road stand. Fantastic!” - Neil, a visitor to the exhibition.

“I was lucky enough to spend five years with the Blues in the late 1970s, getting a few games for the reserves at Goodison. Those were happy days! Also, sat in the upper Gwladys Street for the Wimbledon and the Bayern Munich games were unforgettable memories.

I'm lucky to be going to the Ipswich game with my son Stephen. It's the second-to-last home game and there WILL be tears.” – Tony, a visitor to the exhibition.

“My best memory, is walking through the cemetery to the to the Everton ground. I think I was there before most of the graves! I started walking through in 1963 and I'm still walking through today. We will miss the headstones as well as Goodson. I also remember the police horse once trying to eat my homemade Alex Young rosette and Alan Ball scoring in the quarter-final against Liverpool. The whole ground erupted!” - Cheryl, a visitor to the exhibition.

“I will miss Goodison Park. My Everton, Bayern Munich and World Cup memories. Everything from beating Liverpool to meeting Pelé and Eusébio.” - Ronald, a visitor to the exhibition.

“I’ve been visiting Goodison with my dad ever since I could just about walk, and even crawl, under the turnstiles. Great memories, and as I have grown older, I have brought my children as they were growing up. Too much to say, but going to be sadly, sadly missed!” - Darren, a visitor to the exhibition.

“My grandad was Captain of Chelsea from 1921 to 1928 and became good friends with Dixie Dean. My grandad was a regular visitor to Dixie down in Chester when he had his pub.” - William, a visitor to the exhibition.

“My best Goodison memory? Having a season ticket with my late father Robert. Each match day walking through the cemetery before the game. Spending hours in the bookies outside before kick-off, then rushing to be in our seats before Z Cars played. I miss him.” - Nicola, a visitor to the exhibition.

“My favourite memory is taking my nephew Mason to a match and watching his eyes light up when we scored. Also, volunteering with the charity and taking part in the sleepout last year to raise money for our city! What a club!” - Sophie, a visitor to the exhibition.

“My dad first took me to the game back in 1988 when I was 11 years old. I was hooked. Our matchday routine started at the Frances de Sales social club (it's now the Blue Base), with a double whiskey and coke for dad and an orange juice for me. We walked to the ground listening to pre match chatter and the shouts of ‘hat, cap, scarf or a badge’. A brekkie at the cafe on Goodison Road before going to the ground. My eldest son joined us when he was four. Main stand, block MS1 seats 18 to 21. Our seats. When my dad Eric passed, my youngest son took his seat and our new matchday routine began. Chippy at Chong Hing, or a salt and pepper chicken from the Hot Wok. Meeting friends from the Denbigh branch supporters club in the FanZone, or a drink at the Winslow. Eagerly waiting for the line-up an hour before kick-off, agreeing and disagreeing with the team selection. I'll forever remember the coach welcomes, blue smoke-packed streets. The dog being ‘crowd surfed’ because there was really no way to walk past the jam-packed streets. The chants and of course the people!” – Iona, Garmon, and Bleddyn, visitors to the exhibition.