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'When Goodison Park roars, you certainly know about it'

'When Goodison Park roars, you certainly know about it'

Yahoo16-05-2025
Former Everton captain and lifelong supporter Alan Stubbs says playing at Goodison Park was the "epitome" of his footballing career, as the Toffees prepare to bid farewell to a ground that he believes was "designed perfectly for a great atmosphere".
The defender played 193 games for the club, scoring seven times.
"No matter if you look at Goodison Park in the modern day or you roll back 30 or 60 years, the atmosphere has always been there," Stubbs said on BBC Radio Merseyside's Goodbye to Goodison podcast.
"I think it was designed perfectly for a great atmosphere. It is really intense, the fans virtually feel like they are on top of the pitch, it is hostile.
"I've got to be honest, playing at Goodison Park was just the epitome of my career. The atmosphere was just incredible - and when Goodison Park roars, you certainly know about it.
"I loved walking out of that tunnel to hear the initial roar. I have certainly seen the fans get the players over the line over the years, that is how influential and important the atmosphere is at Goodison Park.
"It is certainly one of the main things I'm going to miss."
When asked about being a lifelong supporter of the club, Stubbs revealed: "My choice was made by my dad, as an Everton fan himself.
"My first visit to Goodison Park was as an eight-year-old boy in the Gwladys Street stand. There used to be a row of crates along the front wall for the younger ones who couldn't see over, and I was one of them.
"From then onwards, supporting Everton was just the norm really. I was lucky enough to be picked up by the club when I was nine or 10 years old.
"So I never really knew anything other than Everton, if I'm being really honest."
Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds
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