Julius OkorieEverton Ladies are in celebration mood following the handover of Goodison Park to them as a permanent home cum venue.
This is coming as their male counterpart prepare to play their final match on Sunday at the stadium that has hosted them in the last 132 years.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelEverton have concluded arrangement to move to their 53,000-seater stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock. There had been initial plans to demolish the Goodison Park, where Everton had hosted all manner of matches over the last 132 years with its nostalgic attachment. However, a better idea came to hand it over to the ladies, who have equally been making waves in the round leather game over the years. The move is expected to further fire the ladies on and push them to greater heights.
A statement from the club reads, “This long-term vision illustrates our dedication to investing in women’s football and ensuring that Goodison Park remains integral to both the sport and the community.”
The club’s CEO, Angus Kinnear, emphasised the importance of Goodison Park, expressing that, “We understand how cherished this stadium is, not only for Evertonians but for the game itself. Keeping such an iconic venue at the heart of our legacy project has been vital to us.”
Since 2020, Everton’s women’s team has played at Walton Hall Park, just a mile from Goodison, which has a capacity of 2,200. Though limited in seating, the venue has provided a home for the team during their transitional phase.
Historically, Everton have had a strong presence in women’s football, including a league title in 1998 and two domestic cups in the late 2010s, along with a quarter-final appearance in the Champions League in 2011.
Plans for Goodison Park include; upgrades to changing room facilities and a rebranding of the stadium’s exterior to celebrate the women’s team’s achievements and showcase the current squad.
In the past, the previous ownership group had proposed an £82 million renovation project for the Goodison site, following its demolition, which would have included housing, a care home, retail spaces, and a park.
However, after the club was acquired by the Friedkin Group in December, a feasibility study was conducted to explore the possibility of retaining Goodison Park as the home for the women’s team. Ultimately, the decision was made to keep operating the venue, ensuring its continued legacy.
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With a capacity of 39,572, Goodison Park will now stand as the largest dedicated stadium for women’s football in the country, a significant step forward in promoting the women’s game.
Meanwhile, Walton Hall Park will remain available to foster grassroots football in Liverpool, particularly for girls.
As Everton prepare for their final men’s first-team match at Goodison Park against Southampton this Sunday, the club also announced that Goodison will host select academy matches starting next season. Currently, the under-21s play at Haig Avenue in Southport, but the club is exploring more accessible options closer to home.
Many players, including Nigerian players who played for the club in the past will no doubt still be remembering with nostalgia the ambiance of Goodinson Park, where they thrilled during their own time.
Among former Nigeria internationals who made their mark at Everton and at the Goodinson Park include Daniel Amokachi nicknamed ‘The Bull’ who played for Everton also known as the Toffees between 1994 and 1996, making 43 appearances with 10 goals to his credit, and former Super Eagles Captain, Joseph Yobo, who stared for the club initially on loan from 2002 to 2003 and then on a permanent deal from 2003 to 2012 making over combined 200 appearances with eight goals to his credit.
Also among them is former Arsenal star and current Fulham talisman, Alex Iwobi, who plied his trade with the Toffees from 2019 to 2023, making 123 appearances with six goals to his credit. He has since delivered 14 goals in 66 appearances for Fulham.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
