Latest news with #MerseysideDerby
Daily Mail
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
A young Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen's fume, 1980s glory days and a shocking Liverpool revelation... ALAN STUBBS tells DANNY MURPHY about his Goodison Park memories
From being a kid who stood on a crate at the Gwladys Street End, Alan Stubbs went on to fulfil his dream of captaining Everton. But his final Goodison Park ambition has been achieved just in time before the Old Lady closes its gates for the last time against Southampton on Sunday. I was there to witness it last Friday as 54-year-old Stubbs was coaxed out of retirement to play on the famous turf once again, but this time alongside his son Sam in a company game. My old Merseyside derby rival did well to last 80 minutes and even better to catch his breath afterwards so he could chat to me pitch-side about the unmistakable arena he simply calls 'home.' Stubbsy has so many memories of being an Evertonian man and boy and although I'm a red, I'm also proud to have been a small part of Goodison history – scoring the winner for Liverpool in 2003 with a shot described by the match commentator as 'spectacular!' Alan remembers the first goal that afternoon even better, converted by Michael Owen. In the build-up, Stubbs had been quoted questioning Michael's derby record – he'd not scored from open play against Everton. My team-mate was uncharacteristically riled by that and, needless to say, sped past the Everton defence and banged one in after half-an-hour. Stubbs grimaces: 'He ran by me after the goal and went: "What were you saying about my record!" 'I thought you little so-and-so. I knew he'd read the piece and wanted to make a point. It still sticks out to me now.' That was a bad Goodison memory for my interviewee but the boy from Kirkby has also had many good ones, initially as a fan. 'My first game was 1980 at the age of eight. The Gwladys Street had a fence and they put crates on the wall for the young boys so you could lean over and see the pitch,' he explains. 'I was fortunate to be an Everton supporter in the 1980s. We won trophies, we had open-top bus parades. My favourite players were Peter Reid and Graeme Sharp. 'The Bayern Munich Cup-Winners' Cup semi-final at Goodison was epic. Everyone was lifted off their feet whenever a goal went in. 'You'd be standing in one place, 10 seconds after the celebrations, you'd be somewhere completely different. That's how it was back then.' Ironically, Stubbs made his first Goodison appearance as a player wearing a Bolton Wanderers shirt and scored in a 3-2 FA Cup win against his boyhood heroes. 'It was a weird feeling because all my family were Blues,' he recalled. 'My parents and siblings were all in the stands wanting me to do well – but for Everton to win.' In 2001, everyone was happy as he walked out the tunnel as an Everton player, signed from Celtic. His debut was chaotic with opponents Spurs having two men sent off in a 1-1 draw. For the next seven years – apart from a brief spell at Sunderland – Stubbs was Everton's main centre-half, helping them rise from relegation contenders into Europe. They even finished fourth in 2005: 'Nobody thought we were good enough and that spurred us on,' he admits. 'To celebrate, the gaffer summoned us to Albert Dock and handed out champagne. It was a good night. 'Walking out at Goodison for the first time felt better than any result I'd ever experienced. 'Another stand-out was being on the pitch when Wayne Rooney scored his iconic goal against Arsenal. He was Everton's main centre-half, helping them rise from relegation contenders into Europe 'We knew Wayne was going to be special. There were murmurings around the training ground at Bellfield about this street kid with ridiculous talent. 'David Moyes gave me the task of looking after Wayne off the pitch – which I hold my hands up and say I failed! 'I gave him lifts to Goodison and when we went away for pre-season or a mid-season break, the gaffer told me he didn't want Wayne doing anything daft. 'I took drinks off Wayne to keep him sensible. It ended up with Wayne putting me to bed and him then going back out with the rest of the lads!' Goodison was famous for its hostility. At Liverpool, our manager Gerard Houllier would lead his team talks on being disciplined. He felt Everton would lose their heads on derby day so we should keep ours. It often worked. When I scored in our 2-1 win, Everton had David Weir and Gary Naysmith sent off. Stubbsy feels fewer local players means there is less blood-and-thunder on the pitch but conversely even greater rivalry between fans. It used to be called the Friendly Derby. On my first visit to Goodison in 1991, I stood on the Gwladys Street. There were pockets of Liverpool fans without any drama. 'It has drifted away from that,' admits Stubbs. 'Maybe it's a society thing. Maybe, being totally honest, Liverpool's success has been a factor while we've struggled.' The gap between the clubs has never been greater and Everton hope a bigger stadium will increase revenues to bridge the gap. Stubbs has visited the new ground. 'I'm confident it will have an atmosphere,' he predicts. 'The distance between the seats and the touchline is the same as at Goodison. 'What it has to do is build character. Goodison has bundles of it. It's like moving to a new house. The building is impressive but we need to put pictures on the wall. 'Nobody is expecting Everton to be top-eight next season. I don't think they will be completely clear of PSR for another year. 'The academy isn't turning out prospects like they used to. Harrison Armstrong has earned rave reviews on loan at Derby which is good, but he's just one. 'What we can't afford as a team is to sell Jarrad Branthwaite. He's already good and I think he can become top notch.' Not many people know that when I left Liverpool in 2004, the first conversation I had with another club was Everton. But Moyes told me it might be a battle and a struggle and I questioned whether that's what I wanted at that stage of my career. So, I never became part of Everton's history - unlike the man next to me. Stubbsy will be one of dozens of great Everton players at Goodison on Sunday including 1970s striker Bob Latchford, 80s icons Reid and Sharp, and Rooney. Alan will also be working for radio during the game and getting the words out might be among one of the biggest challenges he's faced as he looks around familiar surroundings for a final time. 'It is going to be emotional. I am not afraid to say there will be a tear in my eye. Sometimes you can't fight these things,' he accepts. 'It'll be an end of an era celebration. It'll be sad but I am also excited about the next chapter. Let's see what the future brings.'
BBC News
14-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Everton set for Goodison finale - sad to see them leave?
Everton's women will relocate to Goodison Park at the start of next season, but it will be the end of an era for Liverpool's nearest neighbours when the men's first team play their final competitive match at the stadium on proximity of Anfield has always made the Merseyside derby and the relationship between the city's two clubs extra special. But from the start of next season there will be more than just Stanley Park separating the two you be sad to see them move to pastures new? Or are you looking forward to creating more memories at their new stadium?Let us know your thoughts
Daily Mail
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Sky Sports are forced to apologise after broadcasting Everton legend Peter Reid's x-rated description of James Tarkowski's late Merseyside derby equaliser
Sky Sports have been forced to apologise after broadcasting Everton legend Peter Reid dropping the 'f' bomb during a pre-recorded tribute show to Goodison Park. The club's former midfielder and captain was recalling James Tarkowski's dramatic late goal to salvage a draw in the final Merseyside derby to be played at the stadium before it closes at the end of this season. Tarkowski's thundering late strike was subject to a VAR check. 'Someone said you had two chances (to celebrate),' said Reid, in the Goodbye Goodison show on Sky Sports News. 'You could celebrate there and then four minutes later you had the celebration. I said: 'Yes, but what about the f***ing three heart attacks I had in-between?! 'I'm sorry about my French!' Within minutes a message reading: 'We apologise for any bad language broadcast' appeared on the yellow ticker.
Daily Mail
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Meet the former England wonderkid playing in exile under a completely different name
He once stood toe-to-toe with Liverpool at Anfield. Now, he's donning the red of China, answering to a new name, and winning titles thousands of miles from where it all began. Tyias Browning, now known as Jiang Guangtai, might just be football's most fascinating reinvention - and at 30, he's thriving in a world few expected him to enter. Browning was once tipped for the top. A no-nonsense centre-back coming through the ranks at Everton, he looked every inch the future Premier League regular. England youth caps? Tick. Merseyside derby debut? Tick. At just 20-years-old, he was hailed as one of the most promising young defenders in the country. His raw potential was evident as he moved up the ranks of the national youth teams, earning five caps for the England U21s between 2014 and 2015. But the breakthrough never quite came. While he showed his capabilities in various loan spells, including stints at Wigan, Preston North End, and Sunderland, it was clear that a regular spot in the Premier League wasn't in the cards for Browning. The promise was there, but the opportunity perhaps not. Instead of slipping quietly into the lower leagues, he did something few English players dare to do - he started over. Not in the EFL, but in the Chinese Super League. His move to China coincided with a broader push by Chinese football to recruit naturalised players - individuals with ties to the country, who could help raise the level of domestic football and compete at an international level. Speaking about his move to East Asia in 2019, Browning told the Mirror: 'People were saying I was a bit young to come to China but I came here for a new challenge and I'm enjoying it.' He also spoke highly of his former manager, Fabio Cannavaro, who was in charge of Guangzhou during his time at the club. 'You couldn't ask for anyone better to work with as a defender,' he added. For many, the move raised eyebrows. But for Browning, it was a chance to start fresh in a rapidly growing football scene. It wasn't just about football, though; it was about reimagining his future. Thanks to his maternal grandfather, Browning was eligible for Chinese citizenship. With the decision to embrace his Chinese heritage, Browning officially changed his name to Jiang Guangtai - a symbolic and literal new start. And far from being a novelty, he's now one of China's most trusted defenders. Since his international debut in 2021, Browning has quietly racked up over 30 caps, scoring once against Palestine. At club level, he hasn't just settled - he has starred. Winning the league with Guangzhou. Becoming a leader at Shanghai Port. Lifting back-to-back titles. All while adjusting to a new culture, a new language, and the immense pressure of representing 1.4 billion people. His transformation is more than a passport change. It's a study in reinvention. And in a football world often obsessed with overnight success, Browning's journey is a reminder that sometimes, the most remarkable careers are the ones that take a detour.
Daily Mirror
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Ex-Liverpool and Everton star says Goodison Park atmosphere '10 times better' than Anfield
Don Hutchison played for Everton and Liverpool during his career and believes that Goodison Park stands out above Anfield when it comes to generating a hostile atmosphere Former Everton captain Don Hutchison is convinced that Goodison Park is streets ahead of Anfield in terms of atmosphere. Hutchison played for both clubs during his career and feels like Everton will miss Goodison when they move to their new stadium for next season. Everton have just one more match left at their home stadium, against Southampton on May 18, before they move to Bramley-Moore Dock for the 2025/26 campaign. The Toffees have played at Goodison since 1892, but are moving to their new 52,888 capacity home over the summer. Rivals Liverpool secured the Premier League title with their 5-1 win over Tottenham last weekend amid jubilant scenes at Anfield. The game saw a magnitude 1.74 seismic event recorded by scientists amid a rocking atmosphere, but Hutchison thinks Goodison is better because it has an edge to it. 'The difference is I think it's Everton that's more hostile. I think it's more chaotic,' he told 'I think if you go back 2-2 a couple of months back, I was there inside the stadium for the last ever game, Merseyside Derby at Goodison, and there was an underlying sense of 'This could kick off at any given time.' 'It was just that edge, that feeling in the air because it was the last ever game, and obviously it's their arch rivals. It was such a huge game at the time anyway. The games at Anfield, are not quite as mad because I think Liverpool's record over the years, they feel as though they're dominant over Everton. 'I mean, before COVID, I was the last Everton captain to take Everton to Anfield and win, when Kevin Campbell scored the goal. So it shows you how many times in the last few years that Everton actually go to Anfield and do well. 'But the Goodison atmosphere is like, it's 10 times better, and that's the atmosphere you want to play in, because it is hostile. Like, so noisy, so atmospheric and so much hatred. HAVE YOUR SAY! Do you agree with Don Hutchison? Comment below. 'It's always just so mad and so noisy and such a game full of hatred for the 90, and then they go back to their families, because you could be in a family of four, with two red and two blue. It's just the way it is. That's how you are in Merseyside. So it's completely different.' Everton boss David Moyes has admitted he was annoyed after being told he couldn't take his players to train at Bramley-Moore Dock because the pitch has been ripped up. 'The modern player nowadays play in stadiums all over, so it shouldn't be something completely strange to them, going into a new stadium, but the point is to turn it into your home, and get comfortable and familiar with your surroundings,' he said. "So I would have liked to have had a couple of training sessions on it, but that's been kiboshed."
