Everton’s Goodison Park may receive a new lease of life amid ambitious plans by the club’s new owners for the women’s team to move into the grand old stadium.
The Friedkin Group is assessing the feasibility of the move as part of a pledge to give Everton Women a suitable home, and executive chairman Marc Watts floated the idea of the Goodison switch in an address to staff on Tuesday.
Everton Women play at nearby Walton Hall Park, which will not be fit to meet the requirements of the Women’s Super League once new regulations are enforced.
Goodison is preparing to host its final men’s game later this season, an emotional farewell with the senior side having played in the arena since 1892.
With David Moyes’ side moving to the new Everton Stadium on Liverpool’s docks, Goodison was to be put to use as part of Everton in the Community’s Legacy Project. That will remain the case independent of whether the Everton Women take the site as their new base.
A revamp of the stadium would still be required to host football matches, Everton leaving their spiritual home because it no longer fit the needs of a Premier League club, especially one with ambitions to return to European competition.
Club sources insist the plan to retain Goodison for Everton Women is at an early stage, but the fact it is being explored demonstrates the will of the new ownership to ensure the much-loved site remains a key part of the club’s future, as much as being a symbol of the past.
After taking control of the club earlier this season, the Friedkin Group emphasised its commitment to supporting the women’s game, and the Goodison plan is sure to be greeted enthusiastically by fans as well as staff and players.
The idea raises the prospect of fans making a return to watch an Everton team in future seasons, meaning the final Premier League game of this season will be a case of au revoir rather than goodbye.
