1 week Ago By BBC
I will save my official ode to Goodison Park until after our final match there against Southampton, however, it would be remiss of me not to make reference to her as the clock ticks down to zero. With only three games left to be played at Goodison, Saturday felt like the day when reality hit for many Evertonians. The increasing number of cameras was evident, with so many eager to capture every given moment.
The glorious weather illuminated all four sides of the ground, with the spring sun seeming to usher in memories of so many childhoods. For some Evertonians, it would have been the final time they ventured to our home. The final time they carried out decade-old traditions that are soon to be consigned to their personal memory banks.
St Luke's Church once again became the go-to pre-match venue, with fans from both clubs apparently eager to secure their own slice of Evertonian memorabilia. Arsenal showed a touch of class with a pre-match presentation to mark their final visit to Goodison Park, something that many previous visiting clubs have seemingly forgotten about. There was certainly an end-of-season feel to the game itself, with Arsenal's thoughts clearly on their midweek Champions League quarter-final and Everton coasting towards the end of the season.
However, it has been refreshing to be able to enjoy Goodison Park before we do bid our final farewell in May. No pressure or angst. A chance to simply sit back and take it all in.
The finality of what is about to come is something we will struggle to prepare for. Find more from Mike Richards at Unholy Trinity.
