I wrote about football, family, memory and loss. About going to watch Everton with my dad, taking my son to Goodison for a final pilgrimage and why that place means so much to so many of us 💙>> www.theguardian.com/football/202... - ThreadSky

lexytopping.bsky.social • 14 days ago

I wrote about football, family, memory and loss. About going to watch Everton with my dad, taking my son to Goodison for a final pilgrimage and why that place means so much to so many of us 💙>> https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/feb/10/everton-goodison-park-history-memory-grief-belonging-my-bittersweet-farewell?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

Comments

nexttotheaisle.bsky.social•14 days ago

Lovely piece. My Mother's family are Blue, so Everton and Goodison (going with my dearly departed Grandad) holds a special place in my heart. Went for the 3-2 game v Spurs a few weeks ago for the final time. I shall miss the old place. They don't make them like that anymore

reddevilssupptr.bsky.social•5 days ago

Beautiful!

malcolmdixon59.bsky.social•14 days ago

It’s a fabulous piece, Alexandra, capturing much about what makes Everton special to those fortunate enough to be ‘touched’.

davew1878.bsky.social•14 days ago

Excellent article Alexandra. Captured memories for many of us 💙

patmustard.bsky.social•12 days ago

I took my 8 year old to a game at Goodison this year too so he could have the same experience that I remember I had as a child. He loved it too and I hope will remember it in years to come after the chance to go again will have gone.
Thanks for the lovely piece of writing.

lavieenrouge.bsky.social•14 days ago

This was beautiful. My late dad was an Evertonian and I never got to Goodison. I’m going to do a stadium tour soon so at least my feet can stand where his heart was 💙

duncantweed.bsky.social•5 days ago

tear in my eye ...

bluebaxy.bsky.social•14 days ago

Lovely article, more than a fitting tribute to a wonderful place. Well done Alexandra👏
UTFT 🧢💙💪

bluebaxy.bsky.social•14 days ago

Is it ok to be sat on my own with tears in my eyes reading this article?
It must be!
I can’t wait to reach BMD but I got married at this grand old lady & I’ve witnessed far too many euphoric days & nights not to shed a tear or two at her passing.
UTFT 🧢💙💪

tonymillett.bsky.social•14 days ago

What a really lovely piece. Thank you for cheering up my day!

grahamtw.bsky.social•13 days ago

My strongest recollections of Goodison Park will always be the smell of hot dogs, Higsons Bitter and cigar smoke at my first matches in 1972 - a sense of safety and belonging.

grahamtw.bsky.social•14 days ago

Fantastic piece too 👏👏👏

stujohno.bsky.social•14 days ago

Had a little tear at the ‘one of the best days of my life’ line. Great stuff. Thank you Alexandra.

paulrog.bsky.social•14 days ago

Lovely and heartfelt piece this.
Likewise been carrying around memories of my father and grandfathers throughout this season.
Glad you got to pass on that torch to your son!!

aelredjohn.bsky.social•13 days ago

That was lovely. One if the best days of his life. Yours too. Brought a tear to the eye.

simonpettit67.bsky.social•13 days ago

A lovely piece & echoed so many of my feelings...was at the same game with my nephew (also a Blue) to share the emotion of a final visit to the Grand Old Lady which has had a deep longstanding family connection! Gt Gt Uncle 'Bob' Menham made his Everton debut here between the sticks in 1890's...

simonpettit67.bsky.social•13 days ago

his nephew (my grampa) made his home debut here in Oct '25 (Dixie got a hat-trick vs. Leeds) and we've been to many fixtures covering highs & lows (losing to Wigan in FA Cup) but a 4-0 win on our last visit was special! Thanks for capturing some of the same emotions! UTFT💙

crosbyfonz.bsky.social•14 days ago

Beautiful read Alexandra. Your final paragraphs and story of your Dad taking you chocked me up, as I prepare to fly back to Walton, for what might be my final visit on Wednesday. Hope your son is still twirling the scarf 💙 UTFT!!

itumulus.bsky.social•14 days ago

One for you @jongard.bsky.social

jongard.bsky.social•14 days ago

All these memories people are posting by the week are making me wonder if we need a visit home sooner than expected!

colmkavanagh.bsky.social•14 days ago

Just do it, Jon. No regrets.

jongard.bsky.social•14 days ago

Sadly a pretty full calendar and empty wallet!

jamesmcneile.bsky.social•11 days ago

My first game as an 8 year old standing on the Paddock with my dad and his mates from Gateacre village. We beat Cardiff 8-3! Can’t remember any of the goals just Billy Bingham taking a corner! All that 63 years ago hoping my health allows me one last trip to Goodison to recall those ghosts.

michaelblesic.bsky.social•14 days ago

Beautifully written Alexandra. As a Tottenham fan we went through similar emotions eight years ago. Nostalgic and exciting at the same time. A bit different though as the new ground is, give or take a few yards, on the same site as the old WHL.

ad1957.bsky.social•14 days ago

Wonderful piece it sums up everything about Goodison and the relationship we have with it

jjb66.bsky.social•14 days ago

Was a lovely piece

fad1878.bsky.social•14 days ago

ianocally.bsky.social•14 days ago

It was beautiful.

stevecorley70.bsky.social•14 days ago

A bit of a lump in my throat reading that. Beautifully written

stevecorley70.bsky.social•14 days ago

Loved the passage about burly Scouser's forming a protective cordon around you when small. During the '70 title run in, my Dad took my Mum onto the Gwladys street terrace when she was 5 months pregnant with me and had the same experience. (Why the terrace and not a stand is another question!)

elefebvre11.bsky.social•14 days ago

Just perfect - thank you for this 💙💙

lexytopping.bsky.social•13 days ago

Thanks Liz! 💙

colmkavanagh.bsky.social•14 days ago

It was my last game also, Alexandra - over fifty years attending games. The fact that we won 4-0, in a season of turgid Dycheball, and with a goal in the tenth second - merely a bonus.
Goodison is about the people, always has been, always wi...
Oh, hang on.
Plenty of words over the coming weeks!

barriewhite.bsky.social•14 days ago

Superb, Alexandra. Not cliched because it’s all true, and very sense and feeling described. Brilliant.

lexytopping.bsky.social•14 days ago

Thanks Barrie

jsm999.bsky.social•14 days ago

I think I’ve got something in my eye.

rodrigoefc.bsky.social•13 days ago

My mum, a season ticket holder, took me to Goodison in the 50's. I took my twins to the last game of the last century there. They've had season tickets since they were 7. The three of us will be there on the last day remembering her and doubtless to say, shedding a fair few tears.
Up The Toffees

nealsutherland.bsky.social•13 days ago

It was our last game as well and the tears that flowed at the final whistle just flowed again. Wonderfully written, you encapsulated our hope and grief perfectly 💙✊ #UTFT

lexytopping.bsky.social•13 days ago

Thanks Neal- what a last game we lucked out with! 💙

nealsutherland.bsky.social•12 days ago

We were right above the Park End in the Top Balcony with a perfect view of the first 3 goals. Our friends who flew in from Louisiana, had never seen them score or win at Goodison. The pints flowed after

stdomingo1878.bsky.social•12 days ago

I was in the same section row A directly in line with the 18 yard box

nealsutherland.bsky.social•12 days ago

I literally couldn’t believe that first goal by Doucoure. I was stunned. With my friend Sean going buck mad jumping all over me and me wife. Then it hit. Glorious 💙

ianrsalmon.bsky.social•14 days ago

A beautiful piece - my wife’s a blue (I’m a red) and all of this echoes her experience and feeling.

ginjured.bsky.social•5 days ago

Wonderful read! Football stadiums really can mean so much. My dad's ashes are buried under the pitch at Vicarage Road and it's always special when I can go.

I'm moving to Canada this year but I still hope when I have kids of my own I'll be able to travel over to take them and share that experience

lexytopping.bsky.social•5 days ago

They’ll never forget it x