Was the disappointing performance and result in the FA Cup against Luton Town the last ever FA Cup game to be played at Goodison Park, before the curtain finally comes down on the Grand Old Lady, and we move to our new stadium on the banks of the Royal Blue Mersey?
Obviously we won’t know the answer to that question until the draw is are made for the third round, and hopefully the rounds that follow, for season 2024-25. As we all know, there is a 50/50 chance of being drawn home or away, but should we be drawn away in the third round next season, and lose, then as far as the FA Cup for Goodison goes, that’s it.
Saturday 27 January 2024 could have witnessed its final FA Cup match. In years to come, normally nobody would remember the performance of the team in that game, but no doubt it will stick in the memory banks of many fans, just how dire the game was, just because it was (or could be), the last FA Cup game at Goodison.
The following link gives a breakdown of all FA Cup games played by Everton at Goodison Park since 1892. A quick add-up reveals about 207 games played at Goodison, with Burnley being the first one, a 3-1 defeat, and Luton Town the last one. As we can see, it’s a ToffeeWeb link, so no guarantee it’s 100% accurate, but I’m sure it is!
https://www.toffeeweb.com/history/records/facuprec.asp
Just like another thread elsewhere, discussing our favourite games, league, cup or Europe at Goodison, everyone will also have their own favourite, and not so favourite, FA Cup games played at Goodison Park.
My first one, that I can remember anyway, was Colchester United in the 1970-71 quarter-final. Everton played in their amber away kit and won convincingly 5-0. The 4-4 draw with Liverpool in 1991, followed by a second replay at home, when Dave Watson scored the winner, sticks well in the memory, as does the Romelu Lukaku double against Chelsea in 2016.
However, for me, and no doubt many others, my favourite has to be the Don Gosling last-minute winner in extra time against Liverpool in 2009. The place went absolutely crazy, and just a pity the TV-watching nation missed the goal, as the game was shown on ITV and for some reason they broke away from the game for adverts!
There have also been some dire FA Cup home games, the likes of Bradford City, Tranmere Rovers and Wigan Athletic all coming to Goodison and going home victorious. Even the likes of Stockport County and Port Vale came and got a draw.
Anyway, let’s hope that the third round draw, in the first week in December 2024, will be kind to us, and we can saviour at least one more FA Cup game at Goodison Park, before moving to the new Everton Stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.