Leaving Goodison will build a ‘bigger and better future’ for Everton - David Moyes

Everton head coach David Moyes has said that while bidding goodbye to Goodison Park will be sad, it will only lead to a ‘bigger and better future’ for the club. The Blues’ men’s side, who have called the Grand Old Lady home for the last 133 years, will play their final fixture at the ground against Southampton on Sunday.

However, the site will not be demolished as those plans have been scrapped. The club announced this week that Goodison Park will be the new home for the Everton women’s team, albeit at reduced capacity.

"It will be a sad day, I think it will be an emotional day for a lot of people. I've got to keep the players focused on the game and try to do the best we can in the game," said Moyes at his pre-match press conference on Friday.

"Obviously, there have been great managers and players who have all performed here. I'm just the one that's going to shut the door on the way out, certainly on the way out for the men. We're looking forward to the ladies joining us.

"It will be sad when it goes, but we're moving into something which we think will give us a bigger and better future."

David Moyes went on to explain in his Matchday Programm notes, exactly how he feels about being the manager on this auspicious day:

I am extremely privileged to be the manager of Everton Football Club today, on an occasion which is historic and poignant. To be managing an Everton team in front of so many wonderful former players, with so many great staff in attendance and so many respected former Everton managers watching on is a great honour.

Evertonians have loved their many years at Goodison but throughout football this stadium has been widely recognised as one of English football's most iconic. It has hosed a World Cup semi-final, it has staged two FA Cup finals and it's a place we are all proud of. It has changed down the years, from the swaying terraces of the '60s and '70s to today's bouncing stands, but it has always retained the same character and authenticity.

For me the iconic picture I have of Goodison Park is Andy Gray's goal on that famous night against Bayern Munich. That was the goal which gave that great Everton side the lead on the night and the crowd reactrion behind the goal is something that always stays with me. I have always hoped we can emulate that in some way with our supporters in the future.

I am following in illustrious footsteps in writing these notes. Men like Harry Catterick, Howard Kendall and Walter Smith have done this job before me. They are no longer with us but their influence still permeates this place. They played a huge part in the development of Everton FC and I know some of their family members will be here today to share in this occasion.

It is a significant moment in a great football club's history and we want to mark it with as good a send-off as we can possibly deliver.

Lots of great players have played here. The latest to do that have a responsibility to play with pride on a day when everyone hopes we can give this Grand Old Lady the best send-off we possibly can.

Goodbye Goodison, you've served us well.

 

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