As Everton Prepare for Final Men’s Match at Their Famous Stadium, Even the Reds Stop to Say Goodbye
Sunday marks the end of an era. After 132 years of footballing history, Goodison Park will host its final men’s match. Everton, the club that made the grand old ground their home back in 1892, will take on already-relegated Southampton. On paper, it’s a match with little to play for. But in reality, it’s one of the most emotionally charged moments the city of Liverpool has seen in a long time.
And in a move that transcends the fierce rivalry between the two clubs, Liverpool Football Club—their city neighbours and eternal rivals—have posted a heartfelt tribute to the famous stadium across Stanley Park.
More Than Just a Stadium
To the outside world, Goodison might just seem like another old football ground making way for something newer, shinier, and more modern. But in Merseyside, it’s sacred ground. It’s the place where generations of families gathered every other Saturday, where kids first learned what it means to love a team, and where communities came together in celebration and in sorrow.
This weekend, that chapter closes.
And perhaps nothing captures the bittersweet nature of this farewell better than the message from Liverpool. The club shared a series of photos on social media, including one with a banner reading: “The Kop thanks you all. We never walked alone.” It’s a nod to the deep, if complicated, relationship the two clubs share—one rooted in shared history, deep respect, and occasionally, tragedy.
The Hillsborough Tribute: A City United
Among the images Liverpool posted, one in particular stood out. It showed two young mascots—one wearing a Liverpool shirt, the other in Everton blue. They wore the numbers 9 and 6 respectively, referencing the 96 lives lost at Hillsborough in 1989.
These mascots became a powerful symbol of unity in the years following the disaster, especially after the release of the Hillsborough Independent Panel’s findings. For many, they represent the unique spirit of the city: competitive on the pitch, united in everything else that matters.
That Liverpool chose to include this image in their tribute to Goodison is no accident. It’s a reminder that while rivalries can define football, they don’t have to divide people. In Liverpool, they often do the opposite.
“Highs, Lows, and So Many Memories”
The caption Liverpool shared said it all: “An historic stadium, a place where we have fought against one another and stood with each other. Highs, lows, and so many memories. The end of an era at Goodison Park and the beginning of a new one.”
And what memories they are.
From Dixie Dean’s 60-goal season in 1927–28, to Graeme Sharp’s thunderbolt against Liverpool in 1984, to more recent moments like Tim Cahill’s Merseyside Derby headers or Phil Jagielka’s late equaliser at Anfield—the place has seen it all. Triumphs, heartbreaks, relegation battles, European nights. All soaked into those wooden seats and tight corridors.
It’s not just Everton fans who have stories from Goodison. Liverpool supporters of a certain generation will remember standing in the Bullens Road End when Anfield was being redeveloped. They’ll remember FA Cup semi-finals. And, of course, they’ll remember those derby days—fiery, passionate, and completely unique.
Goodison’s Legacy Lives On
Everton’s move to Bramley-Moore Dock, where they will begin the next season in the brand-new Hill Dickinson Stadium, represents a significant shift for the club. The new ground is a symbol of ambition, of future success, and of commercial evolution. But no matter how state-of-the-art the new venue may be, there’s no replicating the soul of Goodison Park.
This is a place where the houses on Goodison Road sit just feet from the stadium wall. Where fans spill out of the brick-lined terraces and into the heart of the neighbourhood. Where you can feel the past in every creaking step and narrow turnstile.
Leaving it behind will not be easy. For anyone.
A Stadium Etched in English Football
Goodison Park isn’t just significant to Merseyside—it holds an important place in the history of English football. It was the first major football stadium built in England. It was the first to have under-soil heating. It hosted World Cup matches in 1966. It was even the scene of the first Merseyside derby after World War II.
It’s been the beating heart of Everton Football Club, yes—but it’s also been a cathedral of the English game. You don’t spend over a century building football history without leaving a mark.
A Rivalry Like No Other
In most cities, football rivalries are defined by animosity. But Liverpool is different. The Merseyside Derby has always been about something deeper. Yes, it’s intense. Yes, it matters. But it’s also full of respect.
It’s not uncommon to find families split down the middle—one half in red, the other in blue. You’ll see scarves from both teams at weddings, funerals, and in the same living rooms on matchday.
So when Liverpool paused to pay tribute to Goodison Park, it wasn’t just a social media post—it was an act of respect from one club to another. A nod to the shared history, the shared city, and the shared love of the game.
What Comes Next?
Everton now look forward to a fresh start at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, a modern waterfront venue that will likely transform the club both on and off the pitch. There’s excitement in that, no doubt. But the farewell to Goodison is a moment to pause, to reflect, and to honour everything that came before.
As for Liverpool, their tribute reminds us that some things are bigger than football. That for all the jabs, chants, and arguments, what unites the people of this city far outweighs what divides them.
It’s a sentiment best captured in that final photo, of the two mascots—one red, one blue—standing side by side.
Because in Liverpool, you never walk alone. And for over a century, neither did Goodison Park.
