A BEAUTIFUL END TO MY GOODISON CURSE
This is the final part of our correspondent Peter’s adventure to finally watch the Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park. Read the first part here - The End of Innocence: A Journey to End my Goodison Curse, the second here - Next Step: A Journey to End my Goodison Curse and the third here - Gutted Again: A Journey to End my Goodison Curse
I woke up early on Wednesday morning and got myself ready to head up to Liverpool. As I brushed my teeth, just a little too hard, the red light on the toothbrush flashed, and I had bad premonitions of the issues that had plagued this journey before; Covid in 2020, fixture rescheduling in 2023 and Storm Darragh in 2024. I looked out the window and saw overcast skies and no traffic troubles ahead. It was going to happen. I was finally going to banish my Goodison Curse.
Down at Goodison, it had been widely reported that there was going to be a special welcome for the team bus for the final Merseyside Derby to be held at the Grand Old Lady. Having watched this on the news and social media over the last couple of seasons, I knew I had to be there in person this time.
The bus was scheduled to arrive at 5:45 pm so I was there with my sister on Goodison Road by 5:30 to get our commemorative programme (featuring Mikel Arteta, no less!) and scarf.
I made my way down Goodison Road to where the team bus was going to stop and was amazed by the blue smoke, the smell of burning sulfur, and the singing. Evertonians were ready to show the team that they were there to support them. As the bus rolled down the street the pyros were going off and the roar was deafening. It was a moment I will never forget.
Once the players had exited the bus, the police started to escort the bus down Goodison Road and it was time to head to St. Luke’s Church. Up the steps to where the Everton Heritage Society have their memorabilia fair along with representation from the Everton Fan Advisory Board. It was clear that there was a buzz in the air.
This organization keeps the history of Everton Football Club alive. I was able to catch up with old friend Richie Gillham, who is the secretary of the Society. I was pleased to hear from him that an announcement was being made shortly that would detail the plans for a move closer to the new stadium.
After the visit, it was time to head into the ground. As I went by the Holy Trinity statue and turned down Gwladys Street my mind drifted back to the days when I would run down this road with my dad, as we rushed to get to the antiquated turnstiles before the match started.
As we headed up the steps into the Upper Gwladys Street seats I could hear the noise. The moment that the pitch came into view with the sound of the crowd was awesome. A feeling that I had experienced many times over the years, but this time it held far more significance. My Goodison Curse was banished and I was seeing the Grand Old Lady for the final time.
Incredibly, I was standing next to an Evertonian who I had been next to at old Trafford in December. We both were hoping that the match would turn out differently than the debacle in Manchester.
As the moment arrived when the players made their way out onto the pitch, I was amazed that because of the noise being created by the crowd, I was unable to hear the siren or the Z-Cars music over the PA system. Nevertheless, I did contribute to a most beautiful vocal rendition along with the crowd around me.
As for the match, it was a typical one for the Evertonians in the ground. An early goal, which was taken calmly by Beto, had the Grand Old Lady rocking. That elation was quickly snuffed out when Alexis MacAllister tied the game up just five minutes later.
Halftime arrived and we were playing really well with Liverpool having had very few chances. That continued into the second half until a shot was parried aside by Jordan Pickford into the path of Mo Salah. The Egyptian accepted the gift and slotted the ball home. There was a lull in noise as the away fans tried to match the din Evertonians had been making.
It was getting late and with five minutes to go, some fans around me decided it was time to beat the rush home, which was a huge mistake. Many were getting restless and saw the possibility of a defeat in this most important match, given that at the time the win records for both teams at Goodison were level and that Liverpool picking up a victory in the final game would be something they would hold over our heads for eternity. But that was not to be the case.
Vitalii Mykolenko delivered a high ball into the box which was flicked on by Tim Iroegbunam and out of nowhere James Tarkowski pounced on the ball and drilled it into the top corner. I have never heard a noise like the response around me.
The roof was shaking, and I now understand limbs. The ecstasy was like nothing else as the supporters jumped up and down, screaming and yelling.
When the screen showed that there was a VAR review there was a palpable trepidation. The guy next to me said that this would just give us another chance to cheer, and that was the case. As Michael Oliver pointed to the spot, the celebrations resumed.
Almost immediately after the restart the match ended and the fans had one last chance to sing proudly and show the team their love, a love that is so intertwined with Goodison Park. The handbags that came out after the match settled down, and then the players came around to applaud the supporters. The singing continued long after they had gone down the tunnel.
I hung around with my sister, taking in our last moments in the ground. I would never be able to do this again and even though I have spent my life thousands of miles away, this ground has provided a multitude of moments in my life that have solidified my support for Everton.
It had taken me four trips, totalling more than 40,000 km to see this Derby match, and as I walked back down Gwladys Street, it was all definitely worth it. Perhaps I was meant to see that final Tarkowski goal in person all along.
The Goodison Curse was over, replaced by an incredible memory and a desire to be there when we make the move to the new ground.
Farewell Goodison! It has been my pleasure and honour to have been with you.
