Everton

Lynette Horsburgh
BBC News

Image source, Family Photograph

Saying goodbye to Goodison Park is "going to be like losing a little bit of my mum", the daughter of Everton's first official toffee lady has said.

The tradition of handing toffees out at Everton's stadium dates back to the 1890s when Old Ma Bushell, who ran the nearby Ye Ancient Everton Toffee House, dressed her granddaughter in her finest clothes and sent her with a basket of Everton toffees to throw into the crowd.

Lifelong Evertonian Mary Morgan (nee Gorry) was the Blues' toffee lady from 1953 until 1956.

Speaking ahead of the final men's fixture at Goodison Park before their move to Bramley-Moore Dock this summer, Patricia Smith said: "It'll be a sad day - there's going to be a lot of tears."

She said her mum's role as the toffee lady "started off as a joke" when she customised a bridesmaid dress, handstitched "Everton Supporters Federation" on a white pinny, and teamed it with a bonnet.

It was a nod to the traditional attire worn more than 60 years previously, when Jemima Bushell handed out Everton toffees to fans as Ye Ancient Everton Toffee House battled to outdo Everton mints creator Mother Noblett, whose shop was situated closer to Goodison.

And so the enduring link between Everton and toffee was born.

Read more on the story

As you all know, it's not often I'm wrong about anything but you may remember me saying in a previous predictions article that I thought I held the record for the fastest senior goal at Goodison Park for my effort after 12.94 seconds with Blackburn in 1995, until Abdoulaye Doucoure scored after 10.18 seconds for Everton against Leicester in February.

It turns out the fastest goal before Doucoure was actually by Bournemouth's Colin Clarke, after 11 seconds in a League Cup tie in 1985, but I still hold the record for the fastest away goal there in a men's league game and no-one is taking that away from me because I don't think Southampton will score at all on Sunday.

Saints will probably be too exhausted from their celebrations after last week's draw with Manchester City to ruin the party as Everton's men's team play their last game at Goodison after 133 years.

I have not got a problem with the Southampton fans celebrating reaching 12 points and avoiding equalling Derby's record for the worst Premier League points tally because they have had to endure an awful season, but it is absolute amateur hour from their players to react the way they did afterwards.

People will say it was down to emotion but how low is your bar if you see that as an achievement? The team should have thanked the supporters, and cleared off down the tunnel.

Everton got taken apart in the first half by Fulham last time out, but were much better in the second half and went to win 3-1 at Craven Cottage.

It would be typical for them to mess up on their big day, but they won't. I fancy Beto to get a goal, and the Toffees to sign off with a win.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Tom Mallows
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Goodison is not just players, grass, bricks and mortar. It is also about people. The matchday ritual. Walking up streets of tightly spaced Victorian terracing; meeting friends and family by Dixie's statue; chips at the Goodison Supper Bar; a pint in the Winslow Pub in the looming shadow of the triple-decker Main Stand; perusing the memorabilia, old programmes and vintage shirts upstairs in the Church of St Luke the Evangelist, home of the Heritage Society, which is nestled between the Gwladys Street and Main Stand.

For supporter Frank Keegan, the day Everton's men's team leave Goodison will be tinged with sadness, but it is something he feels they have to do.

"It's been my life going there," he said. "I look across from my seat to the Lower Bullens and the Upper Bullens Stand and you see ghosts of your mates that used to go to matches.

"But another part of me thinks that the Goodison Park I remember growing up, as a ground, went a long time ago. We've got to move with the times.

"But it's not about me, it's about individual supporters. You've got your memories of the ground, but the ground is just a place that held them. And you can think back and remember them fondly."

This Sunday we'd love it if you would send us your images and stories from Goodison via this form

BBC Sport had a strong response from readers to Everton's naming rights deal for their new stadium, which will be called Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Here is a further selection, with more lower down this page:

Jim: Awful. These naming deals are nonsensical.

Phil: A huge embarrassment to the fans. Do Everton get anything right?

Greg: The name sets us up for an awful lot of stick, as if we have not already had enough. But we're going to have to get used to it, whether we like it or not.

Jon: Just like Twickenham will always be Twickenham rather than the 'Allianz'. This will always be Bramely-Moore to fans. I get the revenue stream importance, but it sounds more like a bookies.

Daniel: For all the ceremony and tears over leaving Goodison the naming of the new stadium shows that sentiment is dead. As Evertonians let's not kid ourselves the new stadium is all about income generation, profit and money. The new match day experience is now all about rinsing us fans of money before during and after the match. What's in a name? Hundreds of millions apparently.

Mark: I hate naming rights deals as much as the next person, but considering some of the monstrous names inflicted on stadiums, this could be a lot worse. It's not an airline, a fast-food chain, or a company owned by an oligarch and the context has some class to it. It'll either grow on us or people will just use 'Bramley-Moore Dock'. But while understandable, anyone who held out hope it might be named after Dixie Dean or Brian Labone or Per Kroldrup was clutching at straws.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Everton midfielder Barry Horne says leaving Goodison Park will be "sad" but that the move to a new stadium "feels right."

Horne, a boyhood Evertonian, was an FA Cup winner with Everton in 1995.

The ex-Wales international scored Everton's first ever goal in the Premier League on his debut at Goodison Park in August 1992.

He also scored in a famous win over Wimbledon in May 1994 which saw Everton seal Premier League survival on the final day of the season.

"For many, many years I was dead set against moving from Goodison but as time has gone on you realise it's tired," Horne told BBC Sport Wales.

"It's been a magnificent stadium – it's had the World Cup here – but it's had it's time. We'll all be sad but it feels right.

"I've been to the new stadium – I went to one of the test events – and it's going to be absolutely sensational."

Read more of Barry Horne's Goodison Park memories

Everton have announced a naming rights deal for their new stadium, which will be called Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Here's what some fans think of the move:

Phil: Love it, a proper company with a long term commitment. Everton moving up!

Niamh: We don't like it and we prefer Bramley-Moore. The new stadium name highlights how society has become obsessed with economic opportunity where instead football should be a social and cultural celebration rather than a liquified commodity.

Steve: Not a great name, but I think after all these years, it'll be continued to be called Bramley-Moore either way.

Geoff: Not sure about the new name. The deal might be worth big money but the name sets us up for endless mickey taking on the sponsor's name. Surely it shouldn't be just about who stumps up the most cash? We have to live with this name until the deal runs out. Just ask Bolton fans.

Dan: Sounds just like a Football Manager regen name - but I quite like it.

Paul: Not a great choice. What about the Dixie Dean Stadium or something better?

Noel: I knew this new name would come as a shock to a lot of fans, however, it sounds professional and will grow on us all. Embrace the phoenix rising from the ashes. It's up to all of us fans to get on board, stick together and make this opportunity a big success story.

Sydney: Think it's a big let down from an iconic name in Goodison Park to Hill Dickinson. First big thing they had to get right and they messed it up. What a let down regardless of what money they paid for the privilege.

Image source, Getty Images

Everton have announced Liverpool-based legal firm Hill Dickinson are the naming rights partner for their new stadium.

The parties have agreed what Everton say is a "long-term agreement" which is "one of the largest stadium naming rights deals in Europe".

What do you think about the name and the deal?

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Former Everton striker Graeme Sharp has reflected on his time at the club on BBC Radio 5 Live's Goodbye To Goodison podcast.

Regarded as one of the greatest Everton players, Sharp scored 160 goals in 447 appearances and won two league titles, the FA Cup and European Cup Winners' Cup during his 11-year stint at the club.

"I always wanted to come down to England and play football because I always had a thing for English football," he said. "I remember my first day and walking into Bellefield and I was with players I had only ever read about in magazines. I thought: 'Wow - this is it.'

"The first three years were a struggle for me with homesickness, but once I got settled they were really, really good times.

"Nowadays, 11 years is a long time to stay at a football club, but they are fond memories because of the great camaraderie among the players.

"The signings of Andy Gray and Peter Reid were massive. They came in with all of their experience and they turned things around. They had real passion and desire to win, so the younger lads just looked up to them.

"It started to snowball from there."

Listen to Goodbye To Goodison on BBC Sounds

Millie Sian
BBC Sport journalist

Everton boss David Moyes has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Southampton (kick-off 12:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Jake O'Brien is "fit and available" to feature in their last-ever game at Goodison Park. The defender was missing from the matchday squad last time out after picking up a knee injury.

• When asked about balancing the emotions of leaving the historical ground, he replied: "There is some great history, great stories, great managers and great players who have all come here - I'm just the one who's going to shut the door on the way out! It will be sad, but we are moving into something that is going to give us a bigger and better future."

• He added that Evertonians have been "waiting for this moment for quite some time" and the move to Bramley-Moore Dock is "something everybody has been looking forward to".

• On his personal Goodison Park highlight, he said: "Undoubtedly my arrival, the first time. The first day and coming onto the pitch against Fulham is probably it for me because that was the start. There were question marks over how long it would last but I had really good people who let me get on with my job and gave me everything I needed. That's the moment I remember out of everything."

• His focus this weekend is on taking all three points against already-relegated Southampton, as he looks to improve Everton's current 42-point tally and get the club "as high up the table" before the end of the season.

• When asked what will be the most sentimental aspect for him after the final whistle goes this weekend, he replied: "Maybe fulfilling a dream to come back. I never expected it to be at this time, I never saw it coming."

• New chief executive Angus Kinnear is making good progress in talks with the out-of-contract players and the club "might announce something before the final game". Moyes confirmed that there is "quite a lot going on behind-the-scenes" but an announcement is not too far way.

• He didn't want to give any hints about who might be signing a contract extension, adding: "I always like to make sure that the players are all aware of situations. We have an awful lot of players on loan, lots of players coming out of contract and a high turnover of players - these are all things that come into our decision-making."

• However, he did confirm that "one way or another" club captain Seamus Coleman will be staying with the Toffees beyond his contract expiration this summer. He said: "Seamus will stay next season - without doubt. He will be part of the group, I need him here. His leadership is so strong that it would be wrong of me to let him go."

• With 13 first-team players either out of contract or at the end of their loan agreements come July, Moyes has no current plans to oversee a "huge overhaul" over the summer. He added: "I think it's too big of a task to get it all done at once, but we will try to do our best to get ourselves better and a bit higher up the league, if we can."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

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We asked for Liverpool fans' thoughts on Everton leaving Goodison Park.

Here are some of the comments:

Tim: I've been a Liverpool fan for over 55 years and I am delighted Everton have a new stadium. It will be great for the city and great for the club. Every Scouser never wants those noisy neighbours down the East Lancs to have bragging rights about their teams or stadium. I hope it brings Everton success and that they come second in every competition from here on, behind the mighty Liverpool. Also, it's an inspired move by the new owners to turn over Goodison to the women's team.

Ken: Was hoping they'd move further away into the Championship wilderness for a few years.

Dawn: Will be sad to see them go. I'm actually a Red, but I've enjoyed seeing Goodison from the windows of the concourse at Anfield, plus it's been there all my life. When I was a poor student at the beginning of the 70s when we really did have friendly derbies, I worked there selling pies and tea. I remember how cold it was on that concourse in the winter. Great memories of Goodison.

Alan: Everton are a great and historic establishment in Liverpool, however over the past few years, some Everton fans have become bitter. I'll be glad to see them go.

Tom: Been to Goodison a few times over the years and was always my favourite place for the Reds to win. The Tarkowski goal this season was fitting for the last derby there (even though it did ruin my mood for a few days afterwards). The new ground looks good and my Blue mates are excited for the future, so good for them. Be interesting to see if they hit the ground running or do a West Ham and take a few years to get comfortable there.

Tony: As a Liverpool fan I can't wait to see the back of the place.

Image source, Getty Images

Kevin Ratcliffe, Everton's most successful ever captain, has been sharing his memories of Goodison Park with BBC Sport Wales.

The Toffees' game against Southampton on Sunday will be the final senior men's fixture at their home of 133 years.

Ratcliffe skippered Everton to two First Division titles, an FA Cup and European Cup Winners Cup during the 1980s under Howard Kendall.

"There was only one thing I wanted to do and that was to play football for Everton Football Club and play at Goodison. My family were all Evertonians," he said.

"That was my dream – but not in my wildest dreams did I think I was going to be captain of them and winning things. That was just an added extra.

"The Bayern Munich game [1985 Cup Winners Cup semi-final second leg] will take a lot of beating. The atmosphere was just unreal, absolutely unreal.

"Getting to the ground and coming round the Bullens Road we couldn't get down there – the bus was rocking.

"We literally got into the ground 45 minutes before the game because the streets were lined with fans.

"It's a typical old ground and it's needed upgrading – going to the new stadium is going to be absolutely fantastic.

"But this place will be missed – there's no doubt about it. And the one thing that will be missed is the atmosphere."

Howard Kendall was one of the greatest players to grace the Goodsion Park pitch in it's long history.

He was also the club's greatest manager too, having led the side to two First Division titles, as well as an FA Cup triumph and European Cup Winners' Cup.

Kendall's history is so rich within the club he has his name on the famous Gwladys Street End stand at the stadium the men's team will be leaving after Sunday.

BBC Radio Merseyside have collated archive audio, so you can hear the Everton icon's story in his own words.

Listen to the full Goodbye to Goodison episode on BBC Sounds

Hear more from the BBC Radio Merseyside series

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Former Everton captain and lifelong supporter Alan Stubbs says playing at Goodison Park was the "epitome" of his footballing career, as the Toffees prepare to bid farewell to a ground that he believes was "designed perfectly for a great atmosphere".

The defender played 193 games for the club, scoring seven times.

"No matter if you look at Goodison Park in the modern day or you roll back 30 or 60 years, the atmosphere has always been there," Stubbs said on BBC Radio Merseyside's Goodbye to Goodison podcast.

"I think it was designed perfectly for a great atmosphere. It is really intense, the fans virtually feel like they are on top of the pitch, it is hostile.

"I've got to be honest, playing at Goodison Park was just the epitome of my career. The atmosphere was just incredible - and when Goodison Park roars, you certainly know about it.

"I loved walking out of that tunnel to hear the initial roar. I have certainly seen the fans get the players over the line over the years, that is how influential and important the atmosphere is at Goodison Park.

"It is certainly one of the main things I'm going to miss."

When asked about being a lifelong supporter of the club, Stubbs revealed: "My choice was made by my dad, as an Everton fan himself.

"My first visit to Goodison Park was as an eight-year-old boy in the Gwladys Street stand. There used to be a row of crates along the front wall for the younger ones who couldn't see over, and I was one of them.

"From then onwards, supporting Everton was just the norm really. I was lucky enough to be picked up by the club when I was nine or 10 years old.

"So I never really knew anything other than Everton, if I'm being really honest."

Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds

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Everton captain Seamus Coleman says he will "miss everything" about Goodison Park, but "better times are ahead".

The 36-year-old, who signed for the club for £60,000 in 2009, will be hoping to lead the team out for one last time at their historic ground on Sunday before they move to their new stadium next season.

Speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside about his favourite Goodison memories, Coleman said: "I would have to say making my debut here [is most memorable].

"To sign as reserve team player, then to get on the pitch here as a first-team player was probably the most memorable moment because that is what you live for, that is what you work for and that is what you dream of - to be a Premier League player - and thankfully I got to do it that night as an Everton player.

"They have a done a great job at the new stadium. You can see how close the fans are going to be to us, so if it can be replicated in any way then that will be good. But I love how close they are to us here.

"I will miss everything about the place - it is hard to pin-point one thing. I've got no doubts about the atmosphere going into the new stadium because we have got the same fanbase that we have here and more moving into the new stadium. There will still be 52,000 Scousers who are passionate and love their football club.

"But you will miss everything – the drive in, the familiar faces you see that might take a while to get used to seeing again – so it will be emotional, it will be sad but better times ahead as well. We have to look to the future now and thank Goodison for everything it has done.

"There will be a fanbase that has seen amazing nights here. A lot of emotion, a lot of history is in here and it will missed - but we're excited for the future.

"I'm just grateful I got to play at this stadium."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Hear more from the Goodbye To Goodison podcast series

With Everton's men's team gearing up to say their goodbye to Goodison Park on Sunday, BBC Radio Merseyside's Giulia Bould was granted special access to the centre circle of the famous ground to look ahead to what is going to be a "really emotional" day for many.

Listen to Total Sport Merseyside from 18:00 on weeknights and find details here of live Everton match commentaries on BBC Radio Merseyside

Explore Everton content on BBC Sounds

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It is sad to see the Everton men's team leaving Goodison Park. It has great history.

It has been there for such a long time - over 130 years - and there are so many memories for players, fans, even opponents that have been there over this time. But it is dated, and looking at the team and direction the club are trying to go in, a move has been on the cards for a long time.

In terms of Everton wanting to make a statement and and wanting to move on, it is the right time for them. The fans have been crying out for it now for a few years, they have been promised a new stadium and now it is finally happening, so I think it is perfect timing.

Sunday will be very emotional for everybody involved. But, what fans will enjoy now is the fact that the stadium will not be getting demolished. The history will continue. The stadium will create many more memories there now the women's team will be calling it home.

For the men's side, it is the start of something new. With the new owners, going into a new stadium and the massive attraction that is for players, I am sure they are going to invest some money and really try to push on in the summer. They can look at what the likes of Nottingham Forest have done this year and hope to do something similar next year.

This club has always been about the people and the fans most importantly. It will be emotional on Sunday for sure, but I am really excited about this change that we have here. I have got some really good friends that are Evertonians and they are really excited about the move now and cannot wait for next season to get into the new stadium and create some new memories there.

Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola Pearson

When you think of goal noise you think of the fans reaction or the sound of the ball hitting the back of the net.

But Goodison Park has a very different sound.

"When it looks like the ball is going into the back of the net, the wooden seats all start clicking," says BBC Radio Merseyside's Giulia Bould.

And one person who got those seats "clicking" regularly was Wayne Rooney.

When the 16-year-old made his senior debut and scored, "people knew he was special and going to the top," she added.

Is it one of the most iconic moments of Goodison Park?

Former captain Phil Jagielka and Bould believe it has to be.

Image source, Getty Images

David Moyes says "there is a chance now to move Everton on" as the Toffees say goodbye to Goodison Park and hello to Bramley-Moore Dock.

The Toffees boss, who has experience in both dugouts at Goodison Park, has reflected on the historic ground and his memories with BBC Radio 5 Live.

"I don't think I could describe Goodison in one word," he said. "There have been times there where I have loved it and times there have been times where I've thought about the small tunnel and small mangers office.

"But it is a special place and what makes it special is the people that come here.

"The atmosphere is a big part and over the years and there have been brilliant managers and players feature here.

"But I think many Evertonians have been waiting for a new ground and for a new beginning. I am with them because I think there is a chance now to move Everton on."

And Former captain Phil Jagielka believes "the stars have somehow aligned" so that the final game there is managed by Moyes.

"He has come back and he has made this as good as it possibly can be," added Jagielka. "He has come in and turned things around and managed the club the way it has needed to be managed.

"He gets it. He gets the club and Evertonians and he knows what it is like to play any game at Goodison."