Goodison Park will become the permanent home of Everton Women, Everton Football Club has announced today, transforming English football’s first purpose-built ground into the most iconic venue in the Barclays Women’s Super League.
Following a comprehensive review of the Goodison Legacy project, The Friedkin Group (TFG), who took over in December, has reaffirmed its commitment to the community. Originally launched in 2020 to shape the future of Goodison Park, the project has now been evaluated by TFG, who concluded that football should remain central to Everton’s community presence.
The Club has released a conceptual image of Goodison Park on an Everton Women’s matchday.
The above image offers a vibrant vision of the stadium reimagined for the new era, showing the famous stands packed with supporters in the lower tiers, with Everton Women branding taking pride of place in the upper sections to create an intimate, atmospheric arena.
When the Men’s Senior Team moves to Everton Stadium, Everton Women will relocate to Goodison for the start of the 2025/26 season.
The move addresses Everton Women’s rapid growth and need for a larger, more suitable venue than Walton Hall Park.
Phase one of the transition includes stadium upgrades to enhance the matchday experience and ensure adequate facilities are in place before the start of the season. The relocation will also generate economic opportunities for local businesses through matchday footfall.
Goodison will remain a central part of Liverpool’s sporting and cultural identity. In addition to hosting Everton Women, it will stage selected Academy matches and expand Everton in the Community’s L4 campus.
Walton Hall Park will continue to serve grassroots, community, and development programmes for women’s and girls’ football.
TFG’s commitment to the Women’s team has been evident through recent investments in players and staff. The ambition is to create a team capable of challenging for honours – backed by high-quality facilities and a world-renowned home.
Angus Kinnear, CEO of Everton, said:
“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. From next season, we are proud to say our women will have an unrivalled permanent home in the WSL – another statement of intent as we look to build the foundations that will help us challenge for trophies.
“The women’s game has grown significantly in recent years, and we believe that growth will continue and accelerate. We’re under no illusions; there are obstacles we need to overcome to make this a success both practically and economically, but we’re confident that we will overcome those challenges. The value of investing in the women’s game has been demonstrated by our ownership group at AS Roma, with impressive results on the pitch. We believe Everton Women can emulate that success and go even further, with one of the most revered grounds in the history of the game as their permanent home.”
Megan Finnigan, captain of Everton Women, added:
“This move is a testament to where the women’s game is right now and, more importantly, where it is heading. Goodison is a magical stadium with a deep heritage and close ties to the local community. Leading the team out for that first home match of next season will be nothing short of a career highlight – and the prospect of what Everton Women can become with such an iconic ground to call our home is hugely exciting.”
Dave Kelly, Chair of the Everton Fan Advisory Board, said:
“Goodison Park holds the most special place in the hearts of all Evertonians. It has been a glorious home for the men’s team since 1892, and for it now to be transformed into a home for Everton Women is something I know many if not every Blue will support. The women’s game is growing hugely, and it is only fitting that we have a ground that provides the opportunity for Everton Women to be at the forefront of that growth, enabling us to hopefully challenge for honours. It is a historic moment for the Club and our wonderful stadium.”
Julie Makin, FAB member and secretary of the Everton Women Supporters’ Club, said:
“We are absolutely delighted that Goodison Park’s legacy will live on and we are proud to continue to call Goodison Park our home. This is a real statement of intent, which shows just how committed they are to backing the women’s team and making Everton a force at the very top of the women’s game in this country, once again. Captain Megan Finnigan and the team make us very proud every time they step out onto the pitch, and it is only fitting that, from our next season, they will be stepping onto the pitch in a stadium that Evertonians have called home for 133 years. The story will carry on. The glory of our team.”
Photo Credit: Everton FC - evertonfc.com
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