Pub, Match, Pub
Some places are more than bricks and mortar, more than seats and turnstiles. Goodison Park is one of them. For so many of us, it’s where memories were made, friendships were forged, and lives were shaped. It’s where we laughed, cried, and celebrated—sometimes all in the same 90 minutes.
For Carmel Mc, Everton isn’t just a team, and Goodison isn’t just a ground. It’s the backdrop to a lifetime of stories, of childhood dreams, matchday rituals, friendships that feel like family, and even finding love in the stands.
From singing Everton songs as a kid to sitting in the Gwladys Street with her husband, every moment at Goodison has meant something.
As we prepare to say goodbye to the Old Lady, Carmel shares what Goodison has meant to her—a home away from home, a place that gave her lifelong friendships, unforgettable moments, and a love story woven into the fabric of the club itself.
Carmel's words:
One of my earliest memories is singing Everton songs as my older cousins got ready to go the match, wrapping themselves in blue and white and waving to me as they left to watch Everton win the league… how I wished I was old enough to go with them. I can’t remember who we played that first match I went to; I can just remember the feeling. I was so excited, I was finally going to Goodison, I remember the sight of the pitch, the roar of the crowds and the greasy smell of the concessions. An overload of the senses, I was hooked.
As soon as I started work, I got myself a season ticket, next to a dear family friend ‘Auntie Pat’, this was what my weekends were about now, I was part of something, I belonged.
Auntie Pat at that time was the vice chair of the Everton Disabled Supporters Association, a group of people dedicated to helping disabled supporters have the best home and away experience possible, an opportunity to join this group enriched my experience at the match 10-fold. I met so many wonderful people notably the late great Bruce Rogers one of the founding members, who, with his wife and niece became true friends. I loved the cause so much I am now the co-vice chair!
Interested in joining EDSA? please click here
All of my adult friendships started in the Park End, a collective interest in something that can make or break your weekend builds good solid relationships, where you can laugh and cry together through the blue skies and the grey!
Through Everton twitter (now x) these friendships extended past the match day itself, chatting nonstop about the match, players, results and poor refereeing built a network that felt like family and through this I started chatting to John. We sit together in the Gwladys Street now and have been married for 9 years this season. Everyone measures their time in seasons right?
With matchday routines now intertwined with spending time with my husband, friends and a pint usually in the Black Horse pub.
So, as you can see, Goodison was never just a stadium, it was never just the home of Everton Football Club, it was a home from home, the place I forged so many friendships and the reason I met my husband. I will miss the Old Lady and I know it will be emotional at that last match, but I will forever be grateful for her and how she enriched my life with love, laughter and relationships that last a lifetime.
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