Internet Football Ground Guide - Away Days, Goodison, Everton

Goodison - Everton
Saturday 17th August 2002
Vs Tottenham Hotspur, Premier League, 3pm
By Sarah McFall

1. Why you were looking forward to going to the ground (or not as the case may be)

For me this was a trip I was looking forward to for a couple of reasons. The first being that I had never been there before. In the past I always did ONE club in Liverpool, and one club in the North East. My liking for visiting Anfield, usually meant they won that battle. This season however, I am going to both. The second reason is that I always think the first game of the season is better if you're away. You catch up with the usual suspects on the way up, or in the pub for the pre match drink, or at half time. A lot of fans prefer home for their first match, but I love the away ones personally.

2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking

We decided that as most of the London, to most places 'North', train lines were out, we'd leave even earlier in the car. We prefer to drive, but thought we maybe competing with others who normally get the train, so left about 8am from Enfield. Darren (driving) had already driven there once before, and both him and Dan had local knowledge, so knew of a car park, which we parked up in, and was within about 5mins walk of the ground, and it was about Ł4.50 to park there for the whole day.

3. What you did before the game pub/chippy.... home fans friendly?

Pub was Royal Oak, very away fan friendly, and home fans there too, good atmosphere, and no trouble at all.

4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the ground

Not a bad ground, nice to look at from the outside. Seats were meant to be the best one's, as we are away season ticket holders, but we had wooden seats, and the view was obstructed by stand supports. All in all, not the best view or quality of seats.

5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, toilets etc..

The fans were very quiet, first game of the season and you'd expect a bit more, they really only made a noise when they scored, and then went silent again, not even occasional cheer. Friends who listened to the match on the radio said you could only hear Spurs fans singing, I can relate to that having lost my voice totally!

At half time it was pandemonium, I overheard someone say that they ended up not paying for their food as the girl was very confused with who had paid, and who had what to eat/drink, and pretty much gave up. I didn't sample any of the food, a friend did, and said it was below average, comment being, not as nice as the Liverpool one's, should buy their stock from same place they do, unless it's the way they heat them up at Goodison!
I didn't even bother to try and get food as it was obvious I'd spend most of the half time in the queue for it!!

Stewards helpful and friendly enough. Toilets not the best, a bit grubby, but then no worse really than what we have at Spurs. I felt at the end of the day the draw was a fair result, though I always hate it being a drab if we end up giving away a lead, well, you would, wouldn't you. Ref was average, no real blunders that changed the run of play, quite amazing.

6. Comment on getting away from the ground

We decided to have a quick one in the same pub, to allow for the worst of the traffic to leave. Got out of the Car Park very easily, hit a small patch of traffic, but once out of main area, nice trip home again.

7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out.

We had a really good laugh, enjoyed the match, despite the fact it was a draw, and I'm quite sure I will visit Goodison again, as nice and easy to get too, easy to park up the car, friendly pub, and stewards. Though will be much happier if they sort out the wooden seats, the stand supports, and being able to get food.