Goodison goodbye had me sad, joyful and thinking of my late dad

Times

20-05-2025

Like tens of thousands of other Everton supporters saying farewell to Goodison Park, for me, Sunday was a day of mixed emotions. I was sad to be leaving behind so many great memories yet excited about what the future holds. New stadium, new owners and pretty much a new team await.
This wasn't just a football match. It was a wake, a festival, a family reunion all rolled into one — a celebration of defiance and loyalty.
My first game at Goodison was a drab 0-0 derby back in 1974 with my late dad, Jim, when I was eight years old. It was the first of many happy father-son memories.
On Sunday, more than half a century later, I was in the same stadium