Everton fans prepare for end of an era at Goodison Park
Today's match against Southampton will be the final game played by the men's team at Goodison Park, after more than 130 years.
Last updated 21st May 2025
Everton fans are preparing to mark the end of an era as Everton's men's team prepare to play their final game at Goodison Park.
13\3 years after the men's team left their original home, Anfield, they are moving to a brand new ground at Bramley Moore dock, in Liverpool city centre.
Fans are today preparing for special celebrations, which will take place before, during and after the game against Southampton.
You can listen to our special Goodbye Goodison documentary here:
Bayern Munich Pele and derby drama - a look back at the Grand Old Lady
Goodison has hosted two early FA Cup finals, the first coming in 1894 when Notts County beat Bolton 4-1, with Scot James Logan scoring a hat-trick.
Newcastle then lifted the trophy there in 1910 after defeating Barnsley 2-0 in a replay, a few days on from an initial 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace.
During the 1966 World Cup in England, a Brazil side featuring Pele played their group games there, including a 3-1 loss to a Portugal outfit for whom Eusebio scored twice.
Eusebio subsequently netted four more times at the stadium when Portugal came from 3-0 down to pull off an incredible 5-3 quarter-final win over North Korea, and Franz Beckenbauer was among the scorers in West Germany's 2-1 semi-final victory against the USSR.
What Everton have called 'Goodison's greatest night' came in 1985 when they got past Bayern Munich and into the European Cup Winners' Cup final.
Having held the Germans 0-0 in the semi-final first leg, they trailed at half-time in the second before turning things around for a famous 3-1 triumph, with Graeme Sharp, Andy Gray and Trevor Steven scoring.
Howard Kendall's men went on to beat Rapid Vienna 3-1 in the Rotterdam final.
James Tarkowski's strike deep into stoppage time secured Everton a 2-2 draw with Liverpool in the final Goodison derby in February, and other thrillers between the sides at the ground have included them drawing 3-3 in 2013 and a 1991 FA Cup fifth-round replay that finished 4-4 after extra time, substitute Tony Cottee scoring their third and fourth equalisers.
Everton won the second replay, at the same venue, 1-0. It also ended all square (0-0) on an emotional occasion in May 1989 when tributes were paid to victims of the Hillsborough tragedy 18 days on from the disaster.
Fans urged to line streets as team bus arrives
Both the club and the 1878 supporters group are urging fans to line streets around Goodison Park from 10am to welcome the squad for the final time.
The team coach will arrive via Walton Lane, where supporters can gather adjacent to the Glass House, by The Abbey pub, down to the Everton One club store, the Hot Wok and along Goodison Road.
Fans are being urged to dress in blue and give the team an unforgettable send-off.
Fans asked to remain in seats after the final whistle
The club has confirmed fans will be able to stay in their seats after the game ends, and food and alcoholic drinks will be served.
A special celebration will take place on the pitch, hosted by former boxer Tony Bellew and presenter Gethin Jones.
Everton have also asked fans not to try to removed seats and other artefacts, warning: "any unauthorised damage or removal of seats, fixtures or artefacts from the stadium may be treated as criminal damage.
"In such cases, Season Tickets or Premium Memberships for Everton Stadium could be withdrawn."
Season ticket holders will be able to purchase their seats at a later date.
Everton great Derek Temple expects emotional day
Everton great Derek Temple scored his only hat-trick for the club at Goodison Park but joked he never received the match ball because the club could not afford to give it away.
The 1966 FA Cup match-winner will be present this weekend for the visit of Southampton as the ground bids farewell to 133 years of men's football.
Everton's women will give Goodison a new lease of life but Sunday is the final farewell for the men.
"I only ever scored one hat-trick - against Ipswich when they won the championship in 1962 and Alf Ramsey was manager," the 86-year-old told the PA news agency.
"That was my favourite game - not that I remember getting the ball though. They were probably short of money!"
Temple, one of Everton's oldest surviving players, has one other memorable match - against the Manchester United pre-Munich air disaster team of 1957-58.
"It was a sellout. The crowd was spilling over onto the track," he added.
"That United side was superb. At half-time we were 3-1 down - I'd scored the one - and one of the lads said to me, 'we're going to get hammered here' and I said, 'it looks like it'.
"We came back - Jimmy Harris made it 3-2 and then I scored after playing a one-two with Hicko (Dave Hickson) and putting the ball into the Gwladys Street net.
"Goodison was like a fortress for us. Once they got behind you they roared you on and you couldn't help but put that effort in."
... and a look to the future
Everton have confirmed football will continue to be played at Goodison next season, when it becomes home to the women's team.
Everton captain Megan Finnigan said: "This move is a testament to where the women's game is right now and, more importantly, where it is heading.
"Goodison is a magical stadium with a deep heritage and close ties to the local community.
"Leading the team out for that first home match of next season will be nothing short of a career highlight - and the prospect of what Everton Women can become with such an iconic ground to call our home is hugely exciting."
The decision follows a review of the Goodison Legacy project, which was launched in 2020, by the Friedkin Group following its takeover of the club in December.
Goodison Park will also stage some academy matches, while there will be a programme of stadium upgrades ahead of the new season.
Chief executive Angus Kinnear said: "We know how treasured Goodison is, not only to every Evertonian but to the game itself, and being able to keep such an iconic stadium at the heart of the legacy project is something that has been incredibly important to us.
"The women's game has grown significantly in recent years and we believe that growth will continue and accelerate.
"We're under no illusions, there are obstacles we need to overcome to make this a success both practically and economically, but we're confident that we will overcome those challenges."