Goodbye Goodison: A Look Back At The Stadium's Greatest Memories

Goodison Park. A fortress and one of the most synonymous old ground that continue to be used in English football. The home of Everton since September 2, 1892. Goodison has made many memories and witnessed several superstars on its hallowed turf.

But in 2025, the Toffees are preparing for their move to the Bramley-Moore Dock as one final fixture remains at Goodison – Everton facing Southampton in Merseyside this weekend.

So, after over 130 years of football, what are some of Everton’s best moments at Goodison Park?

Everton’s Glory Days (1962-1985)

To appreciate the fortress that is Goodison Park, you first need to understand how it became the special ground that it is today. For that, we go back to the 1960s era of English football. With nine league titles to their name, Everton clinched three of their titles at Goodison, winning two in the 1960s and a further one in the 1980s.

Known as the ‘Holy Trinity’ era, the 60s was a fantastic era for the Toffees, with club legends and title wins dominating the era. The ‘Holy Trinity’ was Everton's legendary midfield, with the trio forming a partnership in 1967. First was Alan Ball, a tireless and fierce central midfielder, who was also a phenomenal passer. Ball was a 1966 World Cup winner with England, and he would later lift the title with Everton. Next came Howard Kendall, a composed and creative midfielder, who would later be placed in the dugout at Goodison Park. Finally, the glue was Colin Harvey, a technical midfielder and a one-club man, who also became part of the Everton coaching staff.

Everton will unveil a statue of The Holy Trinity; Colin Harvey, Howard Kendall and Alan Ball outside of Goodison Park before the end of the season. Legends of our football club💙 pic.twitter.com/PjFYRPC3tP

— 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗲 𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲𝘀 (@EvertonNewsFeed) February 2, 2019

Within the reign of the ‘Holy Trinity’, Everton lifted the title in both 1962-62 and 1969-70, celebrating in front of their fans in their first silverware at Goodison. The legacy of the ‘Holy Trinity’ at Everton remains strong in the modern day. The midfield trio, who played under Harry Catterick, are still regarded as one of the greatest midfields in English football history, and now have a bronze statue that was unveiled outside Goodison Park in 2003.

Everton would win their final title since moving to Goodison in the 1984-85 season in what was a historic campaign for the Merseyside club. Now under the management of Howard Kendall, the Toffees dominated European football, winning the First Division and also the European Cup Winners’ Cup. During their journey to the final, Goodison Park witnessed one of its most electric nights as Everton defeated German giants Bayern Munich 1-0 in the second leg (3-1 aggregate) to advance to the competition’s final two. The year of 1984/85 remains one of the best in the club’s history, and since then, Everton have struggled to reach similar heights.

Wayne Rooney’s Debut Goal (2002)

Now known as one of England’s greatest players, in 2002, Wayne Rooney was a 16-year-old local lad coming through the academy system at Everton. On October 19, 2002, Everton faced Arsenal in the Premier League with Rooney being substituted on for his debut.

Where it all began 🙌

A 16-year-old Wayne Rooney did this on his Everton debut in 2002 💙pic.twitter.com/pNnfvJvcJc

— GOAL (@goal) October 24, 2019

As the clock hit 90, the scoreline was 1-1 with both teams at a stalemate – Arsenal being unbeaten for 30 games. However, the 16-year-old picked up the ball near the halfway line, turning and curling a shot from 25 yards out that passed English international goalkeeper David Seaman. The ball would crash in off the underside of the crossbar, ending the Gunners’ unbeaten run and announcing Rooney as a future superstar.

Rooney went on to have a fantastic career at Everton before moving to Manchester United - his iconic goal in 2002 also put his name in the Premier League history books as the division’s youngest goal-scorer at the time (16 years and 360 days).

Surviving Relegation In Recent Times

In the modern day, Everton are not quite the team that they used to be. Falling to the bottom of the Premier League table and having to fight for their lives to prevent a potential first relegation from England’s top flight. 2022 was the first year that Everton fans began to fear the possibility of relegation.

36'—Everton 0-2 Crystal Palace
85'—Everton 3-2 Crystal Palace

EVERTON WILL SEAL PREMIER LEAGUE SURVIVAL WITH A WIN 💥 pic.twitter.com/mxR78pKKWs

— B/R Football (@brfootball) May 19, 2022

However, a special night at Goodison Park saved the future of the Merseyside club. Coming up against Patrick Viera’s Crystal Palace, the Toffees found themselves 2-0 down at half-time, with Jean-Philippe Mateta and Jordan Ayew putting the visitors in the lead. But the hosts went on to make a special second-half comeback. Michael Keane kicked off the Everton fight-back, volleying in from a set piece before Richarlison capitalized on a loose ball to level the score. Dominic Calvert-Lewin completed the comeback in the 85th minute, returning from injury and heading in the winner from a set-piece. Goodison Park would erupt, with several fans running on the pitch as Everton secured their Premier League status for another season.

Come a year later, the Toffees found themselves in the same situation, but this time needing to save themselves on the final day. As their rivals on the day, Leicester City had taken the lead in their game, it was a nervous atmosphere at Goodison as the Northern club entered the relegation zone. But a superb strike from Abdoulaye Doucoure in the 57th minute ensured a 70th consecutive season for Sean Dyche’s side as Everton defeated Bournemouth 1-0.

Final Merseyside Derbies At Goodison

Liverpool have become a tricky customer for Everton in the modern day, with Liverpool typically dominating the Merseyside Derby. However, the Toffees have made several positive memories in the fixture at Goodison Park. The club’s most recent win in the derby came in February 2021 as the club defeated their red rivals 2-0. But due to the fixture being played during the COVID-19 pandemic, no fans were able to be present at the match.

What a goal from Tarkowski! 🫡🔵🔵👏👏👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/CKZKJZ39Ks

— 𝐓𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐄𝐄 𝐓𝐕 (@ToffeeTVEFC) February 12, 2025

Nevertheless, Goodison Park was given the perfect send-off in its final derby at Goodison Park. With Liverpool en route to win the 2024/25 Premier League title, Beto opened the scoring for the hosts in the 11th minute before Alexis Mac Allister equalised for Liverpool. Mohammed Salah then put the Reds into the lead in the 73rd minute as Arne Slot’s side looked set to do the double over their rivals. But one dramatic twist came in the 98th minute, James Tarkowski incredibly crashing a volley into the top corner to share the points.

After an excellent final season under the management of David Moyes, it will be a shame to see the end of Goodison Park, but there are plenty more memories to be made at the Bramley-Moore Dock.