Goodison Park future confirmed after Everton Women decision

Plans to demolish Goodison Park have been scrapped with the stadium set to become the permanent home of Everton Women.

One of the UK's oldest football stadiums, the men's team will play their final match at the iconic venue against Southampton in the Premier League on Sunday 18th May before moving to their new 53,000-seater arena at Bramley-Moore Dock this summer.

Under Everton's previous ownership group, plans were drawn up and approved which proposed the demolition of Goodison Park to make way for a community-focused regeneration project.

However, the club's new American owners, The Friedkin Group, who assumed control of the club in December, have announced those plans have been discarded and the historic ground will become the new long-term home of the women’s team.

In a statement, Everton said:

This long-term vision reflects the club's commitment to investing in the women's game and ensuring that Goodison Park continues to play a vital role in both football and the community.

"The club's regeneration plans will retain Goodison Park's proud identity while giving Everton Women a world-class platform in the heart of Liverpool. For supporters, it offers the chance to be part of a new era in one of football's most iconic venues.

"The ambition is to create a team capable of challenging for honours - backed by high-quality facilities and a world-renowned home."

Goodison became the home of Everton football club in 1892 and has hosted more top-flight games than any other stadium in England.

Everton Women are currently in eighth position in the Women's Super League and play their matches at Walton Hall Park, which has a capacity of 2,200.

The decision is a major statement of intent from Everton's new owners and their ambitions for the women’s team, with Goodison Park set to become the largest dedicated women's football stadium in the country.

Everton CEO Angus Kinnear added: "We know how treasured Goodison is, not only to every Evertonian, but to the game itself, and being able to keep such an iconic stadium at the heart of the legacy project is something that has been incredibly important to us."

Jaquob Crooke

• Everton F.C.
• Premier League
• Women's Football
• Women's Super League
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