Latest news with #Goodison
Daily Record
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
George Hirst hopes to provide Scotland answer after Ipswich hitman became topic of quiz question for the ages
Striker is desperate for the chance to nail down his spot in Steve Clarke's squad ahead of the World Cup qualifiers after a season that brought highs and lows for his club. It'll be a quiz question on Merseyside for years to come: Who was the last visiting player to score a goal at Goodison Park? The answer: George Hirst. The Ipswich striker's back post header for the equaliser in a 2-2 draw with against Everton three weeks ago created a little slice of history for the Scotland new boy. Nobody can ever take that away from the 26-year-old now the doors have closed on the iconic ground for mens' football at least. But having produced a touch of trivia for The Blues, Hirst is now in pursuit of an even bigger bit in navy blue. The 6ft 4in hitman wants to nail down his spot in the Scotland squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. Then he wants to play his part in ending his adopted nation's 28-year wait to qualify for the greatest show on earth. That would certainly trump his Goodison claim to fame, no matter how cool he reckons that might be. Hirst said: 'Yeah, I was aware of that. Someone actually mentioned it to me straight after we played Everton. It was one of the lads on the coach. We realised that it was the second last game at Goodison and I might be the last person to score there. 'I just had both fingers crossed that no-one from Southampton scored last weekend! 'In 10 years' time it'll be a pretty cool quiz question that I'm sure nobody will know the answer to. I thought it was a pretty cool thing to have against your name. A proud moment. 'You think of old school English football and I'm sure Goodison is one of those grounds that pops into pretty much everybody's heads in the Premier League. It was nice to do it at a stadium like that with all the history.' Steve Clarke handed Hirst his first call-up in March after convincing the former England youth to switch allegiance to his grandad's country of birth. And the Sheffield-born striker is desperate to kick on after two substitute appearances in the Nations League play-off double header defeat to Greece gave him a taste of life in a Scotland shirt. Even dad David - the former England international and Sheffield Wednesday legend - turned into a proud adopted Scot as he forced punters in his local back in Yorkshire to sit through his son's international debut. Hirst said: 'Of course he watched it. He had all his mates at the pub and he pulled rank on the TV and said 'now we're putting the Scotland game on'. 'It's his local. He's been going to it for the best part of 20 years but it might be longer. He's pretty well known in there. He pulled rank and they had the game on in the end. 'He was just extremely proud of me and gave me a massive pat on the back and said well done. 'More for all the hard work I'd put in over the years prior to get myself in a position where playing for Scotland against Greece in March was attainable. 'I had a header when I came on in the second game that he said I should have done a hell of a lot better with. As soon as I missed it I knew he was going to say that! 'He was absolutely thrilled for me and just hoping, like myself, that I get more minutes.' Those minutes in the upcoming friendlies against Iceland and Liechtenstein could be crucial for Hirst's hopes of cementing a spot in the squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. With Lyndon Dykes injured he is vying with fellow new boys James Wilson and Kieron Bowie for game time alongside the more established Che Adams and Tommy Conway. The fixtures might seem mundane to those on the outside. But Hirst said: 'It's a massive opportunity. For me fixtures don't come much sexier to be honest. 'It's an amazing thing for me to be in the Scotland group. It probably still hasn't sunk in yet. 'It's a new experience and for me it's about using these two games, however many minutes I get, whether it's 180 or just five then I can use them all to become a better player and try to impress. 'I want to lock a place down in the squad with World Cup qualifiers coming up soon. 'It's an opportunity for me to stake my claim and grab the bull by the horns. People might look at it and say they're not the sexiest of games but I'm really looking forward to it. 'It was nice to get a taster of it in March. That's made me hungry to get more.' Ipswich will bring the curtain down on their Premier League campaign at home to West Ham this afternoon. It's been a tough school back in the top flight for the Tractor Boys with 22 points so far not good enough to avoid relegation straight back to the Championship. But he former Sheffield Wednesday and Leicester frontman said: 'It's been massive. I think back to the player that I was when I signed for Ipswich almost two and a half years ago, back in League One. That is a very different player to what you see here now. 'I'm 26 and I feel like I've finally found how my body works at 6ft 4in. There are times where it can feel a little bit gangly when you're growing up. 'I feel like I'm in a spot now where, with the help of the gaffer, all the things I've learned throughout the last 12 months can definitely help me going forward.'
Irish Daily Mirror
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Irish priest who said Wayne Rooney's wedding Mass recalls Goodison Park memories
An Irish priest, who was flown to Italy by Wayne Rooney to be his wedding priest, has bid a fond farewell to Everton's Goodison Park and has given his blessing to the club's new stadium. Fr Edward Quinn told the Irish Mirror about his favourite moments at the famous ground dubbed the Grand Old Lady and his memories of going to matches with the Rooney family and seeing Wayne score his wonder-goal, aged only 16 and still on a youth contract, against Arsenal in the Premier League in 2002. He said: "I have lots of good memories from Goodison, down through the years. I loved going there, it was great and the Rooney family connection was great. I remember Wayne coming through as a young lad. He was on the bench a lot at the start and then there was the famous time that he came on against Arsenal. He scored that wonderful goal and I was glad to be there for it. I'll never forget that day. The score was 1-1 and the crowd knew that Wayne was on the bench. "They kept singing his name, calling for him to come on. The manager David Moyes eventually sent him on [in the 80th minute], just a few days before his 17th birthday. He was hardly on the pitch when he shot. It was a colossal strike [in the 89th minute] and beat the England goalie David Seaman." He added: "He was only a boy, probably only on £20 a week at the time. But he was a very confident boy that he could do things like and take on that kind of a shot. It was a happy day." Fr Ned (85) is a long-time Rooney family friend who was flown to Italy in 2008 to marry Wayne (39) and Coleen (39) - who are both from Irish-emigrant families - and later Christened their children. He said: "I went to the games at Goodison with Coleen's dad Tony too. It was always great to see Wayne and I think now he is doing well in punditry. "He was a very shy lad and hated the cameras, and I remember he was so quiet in front of the cameras at a press conference when he signed professional forms with Everton [in 2003]. But he has become more confident now about speaking in public, which shows his maturity." Fr Ned added: "Wayne's first car was a convertible Kia and he parked it outside our St Theresa's Church, where I was parish priest, near Goodison while he was at Mass with Coleen and the family. When he went out to the car, a crowd had gathered and they all cheered when Wayne got into the car and put down the hood." Fr Ned, who is now a priest in Darndale, Co Dublin, became friends with Wayne and Coleen's Irish-emigrant families when he was sent from Ireland to their parish in Liverpool decades ago. Wayne's grandparents Billy Murray and his wife Patricia Fitzsimons - who got her name due to her birth on St Patrick's Day - were both born in Ireland and honeymooned in Bray, Co Wicklow, while Coleen's dad Tony's grandfather came from Co Mayo. Fr Ned knew Wayne and Coleen as children, was their wedding priest in Portofino, and Christened their three boys. Coleen's parents stayed with Fr Ned in Darndale when he said a special anniversary Mass for their adopted daughter Rosie, who died on January 5, 2013, following a long illness with Rett syndrome. He has been a regular at private Rooney family functions and texted his personal congratulations to Wayne when the Everton and Manchester United legend became United's all-time top goalscorer in January 2017. Thousands of Everton fans packed the streets to say a final farewell to Goodison when the club played its last Premier League home game on May 18 and won 2-0 against Southampton. The club is due to move into their new Bramley-Moore Dock ground called the Hill Dickinson Stadium for next season – when Fr Ned hopes to return for a "private blessing". He told the Irish Mirror: "I'm looking forward to seeing the new stadium. I won't be involved in a formal blessing when it opens because I am based now in Darndale. But I hope to get over and maybe I'll give it a private blessing. We need a lot of blessings at the moment, but we did manage to finish above Manchester United."
BBC News
22-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'Moyes doesn't want their season to end with a whimper'
After Sunday's incredible 'Goodbye to Goodison' finale and the emotional involvement in it for all Everton fans, the last match of the Premier League season at Newcastle has a real end of term feel to it for Blues for Wolves at Selhurst Park on Tuesday guaranteed a 13th-place finish. On the face of it, that is clearly not something to get too carried away with - until you remember how grim Everton's situation was when David Moyes replaced Sean Dyche as half of the season had gone and they were in 16th in the table on 17 points, just one above the relegation zone. Since then, the turnaround could hardly be more have gained 27 points from 19 matches and are now on 45 points from 37 games. In fact, if the season started for only Everton on the day Moyes was appointed, the Blues would still have finished above the bottom three. That is a remarkable achievement given what had gone that basis, Moyes certainly doesn't want their season to end with a Newcastle, though, the picture could hardly be more different. A win at St James' Park on Sunday for Eddie Howe's men assures them of Champions League football for next season. Anything less than that and it depends on results home form this season has been formidable, so this would be a tall order under any circumstances - and Everton's cause is not helped by the fact both first-choice central defenders will miss the game because of selected, this will be the final game in a royal blue jersey for Abdoulaye Doucoure and Ashley Young, with the future of other first-team squad members still to be the line-up on Sunday, Moyes will expect his players to respond to the challenge they face. And since he returned as manager, their response could hardly have been to Total Sport Merseyside from 18:00 on weeknights and find details here of live Everton match commentaries on BBC Radio MerseysideExplore Everton content on BBC Sounds
New York Times
20-05-2025
- Business
- New York Times
Goodbye Goodison, hello ‘Hickory Dickory Dock'? Everton fans battle with Hill Dickinson stadium name
Sunday was Anne and John's final time watching Everton. 'We're hanging up our scarves,' they said, sitting shoulder to shoulder, basking in the late morning sun that rises above the Gwladys Street End. John attended his first game at Goodison Park 60 years ago, a 5-1 win against Sheffield Wednesday. In their eighties, they will not be following the club to their new home at Bramley-Moore Dock. Advertisement The stands are too steep for Anne, and besides, the drive to Liverpool feels longer every week. Goodison is done, and so are they. 'Things move on,' said John. 'We're excited for the Bramley-Moore — it just won't be with us.' Will they be calling it the new name? 'We're just going to ignore that,' they reply. 'Who's come up with the Hickory Dickory Dock?' On Friday evening, less than 48 hours before their final Premier League game at Goodison, Everton announced they had struck a 'long-term' naming rights agreement for their new ground with law firm Hill Dickinson. 'Welcoming Hill Dickinson as our naming rights partner is a bold and strategic step forward,' said the incoming CEO, Angus Kinnear. 'This partnership goes beyond branding – it's a shared commitment to progress, excellence and the regeneration of our city. Hill Dickinson Stadium will stand as a symbol of Everton's ambitions, our values, and the global future we are building together.' Though it may now boast 11 offices worldwide, Hill Dickinson was founded in Liverpool back in 1810 — predating Everton by 68 years. Originally specialising in maritime law, it prospered on the city's docks. 'It brings together two Liverpool institutions, united by a global outlook, a deep commitment to the city of Liverpool, and a shared history that dates back to the very founding of Everton in 1878,' an Everton statement added. Naming rights deals are nothing new. Six Premier League clubs have them, including Arsenal (The Emirates) and Manchester City (The Etihad). Tottenham Hotspur have been searching for a title partner since opening their new stadium in 2019. Internationally, some of the sport's most iconic grounds have seen their names changed — from Barcelona's Spotify Camp Nou to Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena. That is not to say they are always popular. Newcastle United fans were furious when former owner Mike Ashley branded St James' Park as the Sports Direct Arena in 2011. Former England World Cup-winning head coach Clive Woodward accused the Rugby Football Union of 'selling its soul' after the board renamed Twickenham Stadium the Allianz Stadium. Advertisement But having received points deductions in two of the past three seasons for breaching profit and sustainability regulations, Everton know the importance of generating income. They say it 'represents one of the largest stadium naming rights deals in Europe', reportedly worth up to £10million ($13.4m) per season. That represents over five per cent of last season's revenue. Goodison may still have had one game left to host, but changes were being made to reflect Hill Dickinson's importance even before kick-off. Behind the rostrum where manager David Moyes was to give his post-match press conference, an Everton staff member was rushing to erect new branding with the law firm's name. At half-time of the 2-0 win over Southampton, the PA system reiterated Friday evening's announcement — Everton were thrilled to announce their new ground would be known as the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Inside Goodison, the quiet murmur that met that announcement was indicative of a wider mood. Later, during post-match festivities, a group of fans react to the same message by shouting: 'The Bramley-Moore!' 'I'm not keen at all,' Phil, an Everton fan from north Wales, told The Athletic pre-match. 'It's awful. I like the name Bramley-Moore Dock, or even if they called it just plain Everton Stadium. 'Obviously it's because of the money issue. But it would have been better if they'd had a poll where Everton fans could pick from maybe three or four names, with the offers attached. But this is a bit sad.' Thirty metres down Bullens Road, Terry agrees. 'It's just the way the modern world is these days, isn't it?' he says. 'It'll be prone to taking the mickey out of, I would imagine — being shortened to Hill Dick. 'I'm surprised with the way it's come out with the Friedkin Group, because there's been a lack of communication. They're keeping Goodison for the ladies, fair enough, I don't mind that. But then to announce the new name of the ground just before this final game at Goodison? They'd have been better off leaving it until the season had finished.' Others are apathetic. 'Honestly, if it's got an Everton badge on it, I don't care what they call it,' says one. But in general, the predominant mood is rationalisation — that this is the sport's reality, that Everton could have done worse, and that Hill Dickinson bring their own benefits. Stuart is at Goodison with his daughter, Caroline, and is clearly an Everton expert. 'Did you know that it is the same distance from Prince Rupert's Tower to the new stadium as it is to Goodison Park?' is one of his opening gambits. Advertisement Asked about the Hill Dickinson name, Stuart is relaxed. 'I'm fine with it, because it's an old, established Liverpool company,' he says. 'They've been going for 200 years, and have links with one of our really old chairmen from the St Domingo days. 'And it's one of the most valuable in Europe. Barcelona have the most valuable — that's worth something like £25m each season — and nobody calls it the Spotify Camp Nou, do they?' The history Stuart references goes back to former Everton executive Will Cuff, the club's secretary from 1892 to 1918, and then chairman from 1921 to 1938. In that period, Everton won their second league title and first two FA Cups — but most significantly, Cuff was the man who signed all-time leading scorer Dixie Dean. But the link to Hill Dickinson? Cuff founded Cuff Roberts, another solicitors' firm, in 1894. Cuff Roberts eventually merged with another company (Halliwells), before being taken over by Hill Dickinson in 2010. For some supporters, this is effectively sponsorship from one of their most significant former director's companies. For others, the finances are the key consideration. 'Having a stadium sponsor is a necessary fact of modern football, so 'officially' naming it Bramley-Moore Dock Stadium, Dixie Stadium or anything else unsponsored would be throwing money away and we can't afford to do that,' Nik R wrote on The Athletic's discussion with Everton supporters. 'Surely fans understand that. 'Holding out for an unreasonable figure is daft — it hasn't done Spurs much good. They'll struggle to get a better deal now, so we've done the right thing by finding a sponsor early and at what looks like a competitive rate. Plus they are local — I like that; and I'm told they have decent values — I like that too.' Good company, good deal, bad name is the consensus. Most fans accept two out of three. But does the Hill Dickinson name actually matter? Back on the Gwladys Street, a family stop to chat. Advertisement 'We recognise Dickinson Hill,' says Steven Baker, with his son David and daughter Ashley. 'They've helped pay for it, and the new ground is fantastic. It's on the banks of the royal blue Mersey, the stands are incredible and you can see it from miles away. 'But everyone will continue to call it the Bramley-Moore. And if we want something else? We'll remember a legend — and call it the Hill Dixie.'
Daily Tribune
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
Arsenal secure Champions League place, Everton win on Goodison farewell
Arsenal secured Champions League qualification thanks to a 1-0 win over Newcastle on Sunday as Everton said farewell to Goodison Park with an emotional 2-0 victory over Southampton. Declan Rice scored the only goal at the Emirates in the battle between second and third to guarantee the consolation of a top-five finish for Mikel Arteta's men at the end of another trophyless season. Rice continued his goalscoring form with a stunning strike from outside the box on 55 minutes. Defeat means Newcastle still have work to do to join Arsenal in the Champions L e a g u e next season. Just o n e p o i n t sepa - r a t e s the League Cup winners in third from Nottingham Forest in seventh. Victory over Everton next weekend should be enough for the Magpies due to their much superior goal difference over fifthplaced Aston Villa. Forest maintained their push for a first appearance in Europe's top competition for 45 years after winning 2-1 at West Ham. Morgan Gibbs-White and Nikola Milenkovic struck for the visitors at the London Stadium as Forest showed support for striker Taiwo Awoniyi, who needed urgent abdominal surgery this week. Forest must beat Chelsea on the final day of the campaign and hope other results go their way to finish in the t o p five. ' If we'd thought in the beginning of the season that we'd be playing to play in the Champions League we'd sign (for) it,' said Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo. Goodison's goodbye Everton's home since 1892, Goodison Park played host to the club's men's team for the final time before they head to a new 52,000 capacity stadium next season. Former England captain Wayne Rooney was among the Toffees' former greats in attendance as Iliman Ndiaye produced two fine first-half finishes to ensure there was a happy ending to the Goodison era. 'Extraordinary atmosphere. The crowd were amazing. The job was to win the game and see ourselves out at Goodison in a good light,' Everton boss David Moyes said. Jamie Vardy brought down the curtain on his Leicester career with his 200th goal for the club in Sunday's 2-0 victory against Ipswich. Vardy was making his 500th and final appearance for the Foxes after a remarkable 13- year spell including a fairytale Premier League title triumph in 2016 and FA Cup glory in 2021. The 38-year-old, who started his career in non-league football, will leave at the end of the season and agreed not to play in next weekend's final game of the season to ensure his last Leicester appearance came at the King Power Stadium. With both Leicester and Ipswich long since condemned to relegation, the full focus was on Vardy and he took just 28 minutes to make it an unforgettable day as he sprinted onto James Justin's pass to unleash a typically predatory finish. Kasey McAteer bagged his first Premier League goal in the 68th minute, firing home to ensure Vardy would bow out on a winning note.
