In September, 133 years after the men's team began playing at Goodison in Walton, Liverpool, Everton Women will begin their inaugural season there, a move that has been hailed as a game-changer for women's football.
When the men's team moves to a new 52,888-seat stadium at Bramley-Moore dock on the banks of the Mersey next season, Goodison, which has hosted more top-flight games than any other stadium in England since it became the home of Everton football club in 1892, was scheduled to be demolished. Goodison's final Premier League match will be against relegated Southampton on Sunday.
However, in an unexpected move that has thrilled supporters, the club's new American owners have declared that the historic stadium would serve as the women's team's new permanent home in an effort to make it "one of the most distinctive homes in European women's football."
However, in an unexpected move that has thrilled supporters, the club's new American owners have declared that the historic stadium would serve as the women's team's new permanent home in an effort to make it "one of the most distinctive homes in European women's football."
Nikki Doucet, the CEO of Women's Super League Football, stated that the action would offer "a blueprint for how clubs can build the future of women's football." "It sends a powerful signal – not just about ambition but about belief – to establish Goodison Park as a purpose-driven home for the women's team," she said. "Belief in the players, the supporters, and the potential of women's sports when they are given the recognition they merit."
According to sources, the move was a "statement of intent" of the new owners' goals for the women's team, even if Everton Women are presently in ninth place in the WSL. Farhad Moshiri's rocky tenure came to an end last December when Everton was acquired by the Friedkin Group, which is headed by Texas billionaire Dan Friedkin.
According to sources, the move was a "statement of intent" of the new owners' goals for the women's team, even if Everton Women are presently in ninth place in the WSL. Farhad Moshiri's rocky tenure came to an end last December when Everton was acquired by the Friedkin Group, which is headed by Texas billionaire Dan Friedkin.
Following the group's 2020 takeover of AS Roma, the women's squad finished fifth in the 2020–21 campaign and won their first major title, the Coppa Italia in 2021. They achieved the domestic double in 2024 after winning their first Serie A championship in 2023.
According to Julie Makin, secretary of the Everton Women Supporters' Club, "it demonstrates just how committed they are to supporting the women's team and making Everton a force at the very top of the women's game in this country."
According to Julie Makin, secretary of the Everton Women Supporters' Club, "it demonstrates just how committed they are to supporting the women's team and making Everton a force at the very top of the women's game in this country."
The Everton Women's tenancy at Goodison Park began 105 years ago when Dick, Kerr Ladies and St Helens Ladies played a historic women's match there that set a 103-year attendance record for women's games. According to Richie Gillham, secretary of the Everton FC Heritage Society, "Evertonians have a saying that goes, 'If you know your history.' That is why it is so meaningful that the same ground that for so long held the record attendance for a women's fixture will now be home to Everton Women."
According to club sources, Everton Women's decision to leave Walton Hall Park, which can only hold 2,220 people, was viewed as a lucrative opportunity for the team to boost women's game attendance. With attendances increasing over the previous two seasons, the WSL is predicted to draw one million fans for the first time this season. The club wants to foster enduring loyalty at a location that already has a strong sentimental appeal, as over half of gamegoers are under 40. Everton Women's captain Megan Finnigan stated, "This move is a testament to where the women's game is right now and, more importantly, where it is heading."
The venue would fulfill WSL criteria, according to a feasibility assessment commissioned by The Freidkin Group last month. However, once the new caretakers take over, the Archibald Leitch-designed stadium is probably going to undergo significant changes.
Angus Kinnear, Everton's newly hired CEO, stated, "We know how treasured Goodison is, not only to every Evertonian but to the game itself." "There are challenges we must overcome to make this a success, but we are confident that we will overcome them. We are not deluded."
Angus Kinnear, Everton's newly hired CEO, stated, "We know how treasured Goodison is, not only to every Evertonian but to the game itself." "There are challenges we must overcome to make this a success, but we are confident that we will overcome them. We are not deluded."
After season ticket tickets are sold to supporters at the end of this season, Everton will likely remove the upper decks of the stadium, dramatically reducing its 39,000 capacity. However, the club stated that it was "planning targeted investments" to modify the field for the women's game and that there are no immediate plans to alter its structure in the near future.
It is known that since they were first proposed in April 2020, plans created by the club's former owners to demolish Goodison and build a community-focused revitalization project with homes, stores, a care facility, and medical facilities have lost some of their viability. However, Everton in the Community, the club's charity, which conducts outreach within a mile of Goodison, will have its headquarters at the stadium. The organization is working on ideas to help girls' and women's football grow more broadly.
Sue Gregory, the charity's CEO, stated, "What we are looking to do with the women and girls strategy at Goodison Park is really exciting." "However, I believe it's crucial for our communities that they continue to see Goodison and sense the club's presence when they travel down County Road."
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