Former Liverpool player admits he’s devastated that Everton are leaving Goodison Park

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Everton are preparing to wave goodbye to Goodison Park.

Everton are leaving Goodison Park at the end of the season, with the new state-of-the-art Bramley-Moore Dock Stadium ready to be their new home in August.

The Toffees will play their final game there on Sunday afternoon, as they welcome already-relegated Southampton.

Everton have some really exciting plans for the Goodison farewell, with players potentially wearing a special edition kit.

It will be a really emotional day, not just for fans but for visiting players and teams around the Premier League.

With that said, a former Liverpool player has just admitted he’ll be sad to see Everton leave Goodison.

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Former Liverpool player Danny Murphy gutted Everton are leaving Goodison Park

Writing in his Daily Mail column, former Liverpool playmaker Danny Murphy has admitted he’s gutted that Everton are leaving Goodison Park.

“Everton are the latest club leaving their ancestral home for a new stadium and, while I appreciate the commercial reasoning, it saddens me as a football player, broadcaster and, most importantly, fan,” Murphy explained.

“In time, the new ground at Bramley-Moore Dock will create its own memories but, judging by what has happened at other clubs, I’m not sure it will ever replicate the glory of Goodison Park.”

Murphy continued: “Personally, I feel it’s a shame we are seeing more traditional grounds disappearing, with Goodison Park going the same way as Highbury, Upton Park and Maine Road.

“The business argument is undeniable — Premier League clubs need ever-greater revenue — but I think the atmosphere is more enjoyable with 35,000 fans up close to the pitch who really care about the result compared to 60,000 who are satisfied with a good day out and a nice bite to eat.”

Murphy told Goodison will be different to other modern stadiums

Murphy did clarify that he’s been told Bramley-Moore will be different to the other modern stadiums as it’ll still retain the cauldron-like atmosphere.

“I’m told it’s been designed with the seats as close to the pitch as they are at Goodison, rather than the gap which can make West Ham’s London Stadium feel relatively soulless.

“Come August, Evertonians will feel a buzz at seeing their new home. But I still regret we’re losing the kind of stadiums I enjoyed playing in.”

As Murphy alluded to, Bramley-Moore will be transformative for the business side of Everton and that will certainly help their PSR issues, which in turn will allow Moyes to spend more money in the transfer market.

It’s understood Everton’s new stadium could generate an extra £40m-a-year in revenue and Dan Friedkin is in talks to secure a £100m naming rights deal.

So, whilst Goodison will certainly be missed, it’s probably best for the long-term success of Everton to move on.