The Grand Old Lady: The Legacy of Goodison Park and 132 Years of Footballing History
- Team Stadium Vagabond
- 5 days ago
- 7 min read
Photographs by Ken Smoller, Text by Team Stadium Vagabond.
For more than 130 years, Goodison Park has stood as a cornerstone of English football, rich in history, emotion, and unforgettable moments. Nestled in Liverpool's Walton district, it's far more than just a stadium. To generations of fans, it's a second home. Known affectionately as "The Grand Old Lady," Goodison has been the stage where football legends were born, lifelong memories made, and the heart and soul of Everton Football Club came to life.
The ground has weathered the evolution of the modern game while never losing its identity—an authentic, old-school fortress that embodies the grit and pride of Evertonians everywhere.
Now, as the club prepares to turn a page and move into a new home, the final whistle at Goodison will mark the end of an era. But before that day arrives, we pause to reflect on what this legendary ground has meant—not just to the club, but to football itself. This is the story and photo essay of Goodison Park: a place of history, heart, and timeless devotion.
The Birth of Goodison Park
The origins of Goodison Park are rooted in one of the most pivotal moments in Everton's early history. In 1892, tensions between Everton Football Club and John Houlding, the owner of Anfield, their then-home ground, reached a boiling point. Disagreements over rent and ownership led the club to make a bold and defining decision: to leave Anfield and start anew elsewhere. That decision not only changed the future of Everton but also set the stage for one of football's most iconic stadiums.
The club chose a patch of land in Walton, Liverpool—an open, undeveloped space full of possibility. This move wasn't just about finding a new pitch but building a future. Everton turned to renowned Scottish architect Archibald Leitch, whose work would later shape some of Britain's most legendary stadiums. His design for Goodison Park stadium broke new ground, focusing on fan experience and capacity at a time when such considerations werecapacity rare. It was one of England's first purpose-built football stadiums, and it quickly became a model for others.
When Goodison Park opened its gates, it symbolized far more than a venue change. It was a bold statement of independence, vision, and ambition. What started as a split from Anfield evolved into creating a new home that would carry Everton through more than a century of footballing highs and lows. From that moment on, Goodison wasn't just a stadium. It was Everton's heartbeat.
Everton's Greatest Moments at Goodison Park
Goodison Park has never been just a stadium—it's been the beating heart of Everton's proudest achievements. Over the years, nine league titles have been won by Everton sides that gave their all on the pitch. The five FA Cup triumphs brought similar joy, with each cup homecoming turning Goodison into a sea of blue and white celebration. And then there's 1985—a year etched into memory—when Everton conquered Europe, winning the European Cup Winners' Cup. The celebrations that followed felt bigger than the game of football. They were moments of unity, pride, and pure happiness shared between players and supporters alike.
The 1930s brought one of the most iconic figures in football history to the spotlight—Dixie Dean. More than just a goalscorer, Dean was a symbol of Everton's ambition and excellence. At Goodison, he became a legend. Every goal he scored was met with deafening cheers, and the buzz in the stands whenever he aimed was unmatched. His name still carries weight, and his legacy is permanently tied to the identity of "The Grand Old Lady."
Fast forward to the 1960s, and another golden chapter was written by the dazzling trio known as the "Holy Trinity"—Alan Ball, Colin Harvey, and Howard Kendall. Their chemistry, creativity, and relentless drive turned every home game into a show. That same spirit was reignited in the mid-1980s when Kendall returned as manager and led the team to the 1984-85 league title. It was a thrilling era of belief, talent, and fierce determination. The atmosphere at Goodison during those years was electric, making it one of the most intimidating places for any visiting side.
Goodison Park: More Than Just Everton's Home
Goodison Park may be known as the heart of Everton Football Club, but its legacy extends far beyond the team itself. In 1966, it became part of football history when it was chosen as one of the stadiums to host the FIFA World Cup. Fans from all over the world packed the stands to watch West Germany take on the Soviet Union in a high-stakes semi-final. That match—and the international energy it brought—showed that Goodison wasn't just a local landmark; it was a true global stage for the game.
Over the years, Goodison has continued to welcome more than just Everton supporters. It has hosted FA Cup semi-finals, Charity Shield matches, and a variety of international fixtures, all of which have contributed to its rich and varied history. During these games, the stadium becomes a mix of fan cultures, accents, and colors, all brought together by their shared love for football. That unique blend of passion and unity is what makes Goodison Park so special—it's a place where football's spirit truly shines through, regardless of who you support.
Built for the Future: How Goodison Park Set the Standard
Goodison Park isn't just a historic football ground but a place where new ideas took root and changed the game. Take the dugout, for example. What started at Goodison as a simple way to shelter managers and substitutes quickly became a feature on every pitch worldwide.
Then there's the iconic three-tiered stand—a groundbreaking concept in its time. It increased Goodison Park's capacity to accommodate more fans and ensured everyone had a great view, demonstrating that Goodison always prioritized the fan experience. And when harsh winter weather threatened to halt play, Everton took it a step further, installing undersoil heating long before it became common practice on other grounds.
These innovations might seem like standard features now, but at the time, they were groundbreaking. Goodison Park wasn't just a witness to football's evolution—it helped lead the way.
A Theatre of Greatness: The Iconic Visitors of Goodison Park
The Goodison Stadium has long been more than just Everton's home—it's been a grand stage where football's biggest names have come to play. It's pitch has hosted over a century of the sport's most intense and memorable clashes. Foremost among them is the Merseyside derby—a fixture that has captured the raw emotion and fierce rivalry between Everton and Liverpool. Every meeting has been a spectacle, packed with drama, passion, and a city divided by blue and red.
But the legacy of Goodison goes far beyond Derby Day. Over the years, the stadium has welcomed the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham Hotspur—clubs that have brought their history, talent, and ambition to the blue half of Liverpool. These matchups have often carried weight, with points, pride, and sometimes titles at stake. Each visit added another chapter to Goodison's long-running reputation as a ground that tests even the best.
International nights brought a different kind of magic. Under the glow of the floodlights, Goodison has hosted European giants such as Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, and AC Milan. These matches weren't just games—they were events. They showcased world-class talent and confirmed Goodison's status as a venue worthy of Europe's football elite.
And amid the glamour, there's also been grit. On FA Cup weekends, lower-league teams have arrived with hope in their hearts and dreams of giant-killing glory. While not every upset came to pass, their determination added texture to Goodison's rich tapestry—a reminder that football's soul often lies in its underdogs.
Unforgettable Moments at Goodison Park
Goodison Park has been home to some of Everton's most unforgettable memories—moments that have defined what the stadium means to fans. Whether it was the deafening cheer for Wayne Rooney's incredible last-minute goal against Arsenal as a teenager or the shock and joy of a dramatic FA Cup upset, these experiences have left their mark on everyone who's been there. And who could forget the powerful emotion of "Z-Cars" playing before kick-off, with fans rising to their feet as the players stepped onto the pitch? It's not just about football—it's about the feeling.
But Goodison's impact goes beyond the game. During World War II, the stadium served as a military base, showing how deeply it was connected to the local community.
A Baseball Game at the Goodison Stadium? It Really Happened!
Goodison Park is known around the world as the home of Everton Football Club—but for one unusual afternoon in 1924, it became the stage for a very different kind of game: American baseball.
On October 23, 1924, two major league baseball teams from the U.S.—the Chicago White Sox and the New York Giants—played an exhibition game right on the Goodison pitch. It was part of their European tour, and this unexpected event brought something new to the Liverpool fans. The football field was transformed with chalked baselines and no goalposts in sight. For many of the 2,500 spectators, it was their first time watching what Americans call "the national pastime."
Despite a rough season back home, the White Sox beat the Giants 16–11, while local fans looked on, fascinated and likely a little confused. The Liverpool Echo's football writer, known as "Bee," added to the fun by using cricket references to explain what was happening, showing just how unfamiliar the sport was to most of the crowd.
It was a one-of-a-kind moment in Goodison's long history. Although short-lived, this quirky crossover event demonstrates that the stadium has always been more than just a football ground. It's a place full of surprises, capable of hosting history in many different forms.
A New Chapter Begins: Goodison Park Lives On
After 132 unforgettable years, the time is coming to say goodbye to Goodison Park as the home of Everton’s men’s team—a place that has been far more than just a stadium. The Grand Old Lady has stood proudly in the heart of Liverpool, witnessing generations of fans cheer, cry, hope, and believe.
As the club prepares to move into the new Bramley-Moore Dock Stadium, excitement grows for a bold future. But the emotions tied to leaving Goodison run deep. It's where heroes were made, legends remembered, and the spirit of a community came to life every matchday. The songs, the chants, the roar of thousands united—these will forever echo in the hearts of Evertonians.
Yet, this isn’t a final farewell after all.
In a powerful nod to tradition and progress, Everton has announced that Goodison Park will become the new home of the Everton Women’s team starting next season. Rather than being torn down, the Grand Old Lady will continue to live on, welcoming a new era of players and fans while carrying forward her legacy.
Goodison may be changing, but its soul remains. And for every supporter who has ever called it home, it will always be more than a stadium—it’s part of who they are.