Football Ground Guide: Fans Reviews, Goodison Park, Everton FC

Goodison Park - Everton
Saturday 20th February 2010
V Manchester United, Premier League 12.45pm
By Alistair Paine

1. Why you were looking forward to going to the ground (or not as the case may be):

As a Mancunian, any trip over to Merseyside is always going to be an interesting one. I had never been to Goodison Park, but had heard a lot about it from friends and wanted to experience it. Whenever United visit Everton it is always an eventful game and three points were vital at this stage of the season.

2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?

Very easy to get to, we got the train into Lime Street and then got on Mersey Rail to Kirkdale. When you arrive at Kirkdale the ground is a 10 minute walk away. As you exit the station just follow the crowd to the stadium.

3. What you did before the game pub/chippy.... home fans friendly?

Most of our group drank in Manchester and on the train before the game as there are not alot friendly pubs near the ground, and especially as mancunians we were keen just to keep our heads down and get into the stadium. The fans we spoke to were friendly enough but such is the rivalry of the two cities that this is not always the case.

4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the ground?

The ground itself is old and needs to be revamped. The concourse is very small as were the toilets. The away end is to the side of the Park End stand. There are several tall pilars in the way and our view of the end furthest away from us was obstructed. The seats are wooden and the space between rows limited.

5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, toilets etc..

The games itself was a disaster, as we lost 3-1. Atmosphere in the ground was great prior to kick off, when United took the lead the whole ground apart from 3,000 mancs went very quiet. Although as Everton got back into the game the vocal support from the home fans was impressive. The fans to our left were a little hostile towards us but that is to be expected as were not the most liked team in the country, the stewards were good though, one instance a lad infront of me had smuggled in a bottle of Stella, the usual practice would be just to throw him out but the stewards just took the bottle off him and let him be which I thought was a good way to deal with things.

6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:

Getting away from the ground was easy, although the stadium tannoy system informed us all game that we would be held back after the game, but when full time came we were just let out straight away which was a bit confusing, I think the result maybe had something to do with that decision. We were back to Kirkdale station in 10 minutes and on the way home

7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:

A good day out, very hostile at times but as I have been away with United a lot of times now you get used to the hostile reception when we go away. Would recommend it, but not to wear colours to and from the ground. Will be there next year for sure.

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