Looking ahead to The Final Day at Goodison Park

Is there any way we could stream the last game and festivities to the New Stadium. £15.00 a head @ 40,000 = £600,000 with food etc.

Just a thought

The neighbours across the park recently celebrated what was for them a significant event. Nobody invaded the pitch. That allowed their players, manager and staff to celebrate on the pitch after the final whistle.

Surely it is not too much to ask supporters to follow their example. If we can't do that, we are letting ourselves and the club down by spoiling the occasion for everyone involved.

Actually, I have every confidence we will all do what the club asks us to do.

The most salient point, as you also say, is this was the players trying to cover potential bonus losses, perhaps a few bob more, not match-fixing. Wrong, yes. Met with appropriate punishment? I don’t think so.

Thanks for the additional information and link.

Great memories from a similar time as myself...

Bally's gone to Arsenal and the kids can't sleep!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IXCvu0iPr5Y

Those days are long gone. I can barely get over the seat in front of me. The knees and ankles won't allow it!!

I hope it doesn't happen, but I can't see it not.

Rob, it's getting to that time of year where the hay fever is kicking in and making my eyes water.

Dear God, how mistaken we were as the lying narcissist piece of shit was digging up the sofa for coins and - YOU LYING TWAT - remortgaging his gaff to buy us.

I was only 5 years old so most of it’s a bit of a blur but I do remember leaving from grandma’s house on Stuart Road in Walton, calling in at the corner shop for a couple of bottles of Panda Pop on the way, and then the tiny me being quite shocked by the crowds as I got near the ground.

I also recall hearing a few words that day that I’d never heard before! My Dad made me promise I wouldn’t repeat any of them when I got home, and I agreed because he promised to buy me a pork pie and a cup of tea at half time.

For most of us, The Grand Old Lady has been a significant part of our lives pretty-much since we were born. I think most of us know we’ll miss her but, like losing a dear relative, are perhaps underestimating just how much.

I haven’t got a ticket for the final game (£800+ FFS) but will be there for the last home game, just to soak up the atmosphere and pay my respects one last time. Every good family needs a home and she’s done us proud for over 130 years.

I was at that game too. Wasn't Nijmegen Ronny Goodlass's Dutch team - anyone?

£800 Scott? Try the highest I have just seen, £12,750 and two minutes later £13,400.

Scott, mine was also a pre-season friendly, around 1976 I think. Home Farm.

The last home game will probably see more supporters outside the ground than inside. The parade before the parade.

We're the originals. Paint and smoke the city blue. Dye the Mersey next to Bramley Moore Royal Blue in a Chicago St Patrick's Day style when they dye theirs green.

BTW - I see the club is offering season ticket holders the chance to buy their seat for £90.00. Quite a clever move that could raise over £3m quid.

I wonder if they’ll sell-off bits of the stadium in this way, right the way down to individual toilets, filled with dark yellow piss, with a fag floating in them?

That’s another less welcome memory that’s (literally) just come floating back.

But smart predictions are that it will take 3 years and 46 days for the bogs to smell of piss.

"To help ensure a safe and respectful environment on the day, Everton and Merseyside Police are politely asking supporters without a ticket for the match not to travel to or congregate around Goodison Park. This is to protect the safety of local residents, fans, players, staff, and to allow those inside the stadium to fully participate in what will be a deeply significant day for the Everton family."

It really does show the difference in approach I don't recall similar rules the other week when they won the title.

The club should have planned for this. Got a license for part of Stanley Park massive screens showing the match and then the after show, vendors etc...

What have they done? Nothing other than told fans to stay away.

Questions should be asked why the police allow that lot near the ground but not us?

I get there is going to 10000s extra there and it could be a safety issue so why not an extra large fan zone in the park. Absolutely no forward thinking at all, the fans as always are at afterthought.

We should do a survey are you going the last game yes, no, do you have a ticket yes no. Might be good to see how many are planning on going the game without a ticket

There's no law in place as far as I'm aware, so the authorities can get knotted. People will show up, and they won't be able to stop them getting near the ground.

Andy@53 makes a good point though - why has the club not made arrangements for those supporters who can't get in? Goodison holds what, 39,000? The streets will be rammed, and they know there's nothing they can do about it other than make flimsy statements on the OS.

On another topic, what do people think of the Cambridge Blue shirt that was launched today? I quite like it.

If they are going to do it, demolish the existing Goodison and build a downscaled purpose built stadium that can host the women's team as well as the U21s and U18s.

Alternatively, they could upgrade and upscale Walton Hall Park. Still close to the Goodison roots.

His contract has been a talking point for some time now, with it expiring this summer, as Everton fans think Doucoure is overpaid.

Well, the midfielder has clapped back at the supporters who say this, as speaking to the Fozcast, Doucoure has made his stance very clear.

“I see Everton fans saying to lower my wages. I’m amazed, I deserve to have my salary right now,” Doucoure said.

“To be honest, I won’t readjust my salary to stay at the club. I’ve seen Mo Salah get a pay rise.

“I’m playing every season, I’m important for the club, no, I should have an increase!”

“People talk about my salary, and I’m just surprised, like, no, I’m sorry, I don’t agree with this.”

Salah got a pay rise so he thinks he should too.

The don't turn up if you don't have a ticket message is just a formality from the club, they have to run that line otherwise the bizzies would be a right arse to deal with in the future. But does anyone seriously think people will stay away? I know I'm very fortunate to be a season ticket holder but I'd love the streets of L4 alive with blues for one last time. And as for that mob across the park, there'll be more people on the streets of Oslo than on Anfield Road, so the city have nothing to worry about.

Those bastards have effectively closed off Anfield Road with their latest loft extension.

If it's on TNT, the club can screen it if they have the licence. The match at most grounds, Goodison, included, is screened in the concourses for those who go down early for half time refreshments.

Either way, I know people will rightly want more if they don't have a ticket, but I also know how hard these things are to get off the ground.

Lets turn all the streets blue, I'll be devastated to leave (26th Nov 1977 my first game, 6-0 v Cov), but seeing a huge celebration inside and out will make it a day to remember.

It could actually get too busy hence why we really needed a large fan zone overspill

The City of Liverpool bends over backwards for those Mordor dwelling Goblins. Not one word of criticism for thousand upon thousand of them breaking lockdown (they even tried to blame a load of their 'shenanigans' on blues. Similar to how they tried to blame Heysel on Cockneys)

Now the fun police want to ruin what is a once in a lifetime moment for the City's founding football team.

Feck em. There'll be millions of canutes doing what the feck they want when they have their parade and it'll all be about how wonderful they are. A few thousand will turn up outside Goodison and it will be reported as if its the Southport Riots again if there is any sniff of trouble.

It's our city. We will celebrate Goodison as we see fit in our homeland.

No-one will tell us otherwise.

I hope the 18th is our day and the decent ones respect that.

Anyone know if that's the case?

Anyone know if this will this be the case on Sunday?

Or will supporters be told "the earliest you can leave is 3pm"?

Why do I ask?

At home games, walking up to the St End from the Park End (past The Winslow) I pass a line of hi-viz wearing 'security' personnel (male/female) and one of them (a young Asian lad) always catches my eye as he has to be Britain's smallest security 'man'.

His bright yellow coat (probably size XS) looks like it was made for Tyson Fury

(I can't be the only one who has noticed him)

My point?

If these are the only security on offer on Sunday, the potential for problems/chaos deffo exists.

Let's hope Everton FC will decide to be wise before the event.

Collectively I'd say we're better, but I can have sensible conversations with my brother-in-law, nephews, nieces and cousins.

Broadly speaking, it's the ones that live around me in London that get to me.

What is going to happen when the Southampton fans leave at full time, and Everton fans attempt to take their place?

Maybe it’s just me (I stopped watching ssn a long time ago) but this seems to be largely ignored, at least in the press.

I just hope Seamus is allowed to walk on the hallowed turf one more time before he hangs up his boots. That will be emotional.

In fairness Colin, the BBC has been given it a lot of coverage.

If anyone tries to storm the gates, they will be stopped.

Also hoping the Club or someone posts the post match event on YouTube. This is one game I might actually get to watch as a sports bar has opened local to me and the timing is good. But the commentary will likely be in Vietnamese!

Did you pre-order or buy it in a shop 'cos my pre-order hasn't arrived yet.

That's what's being reported mate.

I gave up. Totally rammed.

Do these footballers not stop and think about how lucky they are?

In saying that I suppose his goal, probably kept Everton solvent, at a time when the club was in major trouble, but how many times have the Everton squad, got together after another appalling away performance and decided to reimburse the very loyal away supporters?

Those West Country blues, don’t often get home before midnight from a home game, and although I’m aware they do it through choice, has anyone ever suggested reimbursing them for their incredible loyalty after another terrible home performance?

These footballers say the wrong thing at times and hearing comments like this just have me shaking my head in disbelief.

I doubt there would be many Evertonians, who agree with Doucoure, although he must have some good offers on the table, if this is what he’s saying 🤷‍♂️

So I am told (no evidence) Roman Abramovic used to do it for Chelsea supporters and cover the costs for their away coaches for certain matches.

Like every Evertonian, the reality of leaving Goodison Park, and the memories and history it brings to us all, is sacred, unique and special. Using one of my favourite road trip songs from 1971, here's my effort on a simple song for Evertonians to consider in view of this very emotional event.

To the tune of Lake Shore Drive, Aliotta Haynes Jeremiah, 1971, adapted for an Everton Ditty:

There's a place I'd like to tell you about, it's in my home town,
Goodison Park, the place is called, and it will bring you up or down,
From rats or up to riches, 100 minutes you are high,

The pretty blue lights on the way, they help you right on by,
and the flood lights shine with a heavenly grace, help you right on by,

Chorus 

And there ain't no place just like it, anywhere I found,
Getting  down to Goodison Park, then heading into Town,
|Just slipping on by on lagers and glee, Saturday night trouble bound.

Chorus repeat 

And for today all travelling Toffees have safe passage and a great day in Fulham!

I was watching politicslondon this morning about government plans to crack down on touts and re-sale sites for tickets (sporting, music and entertainment etc). That got me thinking about my recent experience in trying to get tickets for one last visit to Goodison Park which resulted in me having to use a re-sale site, as nothing was available from the club or Ticketmaster, despite the fact that all four of us are members.

It cost me more than £500 for 4 tickets, which didn't actually arrive until the day before the game (against Man Utd). They were e-tickets that we had to download on our 'phones (3 attempts only allowed per ticket) and I still was not convinced that they would work until we actually got into the ground. I had to make the decision to book accommodation (as we are London-based) sort travel arrangements and then trust that the tickets worked, with absolutely no guarantees whatsoever. A total (and expensive) lottery.

I wonder what the club will be doing in respect of the Southampton game and in the new stadium to protect fans who cannot get seasons tickets (we are on the waiting list) and who cannot attend regularly from being extorted.

I will be attaching my ‘Goodbye to Goodison' flag to the car before setting off for work at 6 o'clock in the morning. See how many acknowledgments I get in Herts over the following week or so…

A march from Bramley-Moore Dock to Goodison? Good on you Tony. My creaky knees barely stood up to the trip from Bankhall Station last week.

Gonna get there super-early and have a wander around the stadium and the area as a whole.

So many memories…

Must have my half chips/half rice with curry sauce from Lucky’s Blue Dragon too. We always win when I do that. Well, mostly. OK, sometimes!

The peeling paint hanging off the Winslow, the sounds of girls and boys talking excitedly to mums and dads, the murals, Big Duncs cut eye, Cahill 17. The chips, onions and burgers smell, the old iron turnstiles, the rivets on the beams, the tight corners, tight stairs but happy faces. The joy of a beer and pie but “please stand away from the bar!” The clackety clack of wooden seats and fading paint showing your row.

The pillars, the yellow army of stewards lying down on the verge with 10 minutes to go! The floodlights, the final whistle and the usual playlist of tunes. Back down the stairs out into the cooler air and a sea of blueblood heads bobbing their way to another place.

Another place is where we are heading as a club and blimey it looks amazing but we’re going to have to be patient to develop the new matchday. Will miss you old girl!

I wonder if they'll sell-off bits of the stadium in this way, right the way down to individual toilets, filled with dark yellow piss, with a fag floating in them?”

I've been told it's only the ‘placky' back piece that is on offer. Many probably need refurbishing anyway so I don't think the club would be bothered about selling them off.

Definitely don't think it could mean they'd end up with a seatless stadium they would then need thousands of brand new seats for.

I had a season ticket from 1968 to 2018 when my wife got dementia. I couldn't leave her alone so had to give up my seat. My wife died 2 years ago but there was a long waiting list by then.

I don't expect special treatment and I know I can't attend the game. But why not open the gates and let a few of us old timers in to enjoy the day and suffer the sadness of leaving the old girl.

My dad first took me to Goodison in 1952 when I was 6 years old. I just want to get in there one more time.

I'll take some bribery wherewithal with me!