‘Goodison feeling still so special’
JOE ROYLE will pay a visit to Everton’s future this week hoping their Premier League status is secure at last.
For Royle and Toffees legends like Peter Reid and Graeme Sharp, regular residents of the Goodison Park directors’ box, it’s been an anxious few weeks watching Frank Lampard’s side dicing with relegation.
Royle, the last Everton manager to win silverware – the FA Cup and Charity Shield in 1995 – said: “Thankfully our next two games are at Goodison.
“I remember my first game as Everton manager was at Goodison against Liverpool. It was in the depths of November but the fans ensured the place was red hot. I swear that when Duncan Ferguson scored his first goal the stand roof moved.”
It is why the eventual move to a new state-of-the-art 52,000seater stadium next to the Mersey leaves Royle with mixed feelings.
He said: “We’ve got to go to Bramley-moore Dock, everyone knows that, for the future of the club, but Goodison Park will be missed.
“I won’t miss some of the seating, but the grand old lady is still a fantastic stadium.
“I’m due to be shown around the new site this week with a number of Everton legends.
“It’s so important that we are in the top flight when we move into that ground, to make sure it’s full every game. Also, we all know the Championship is a hard division to get out of.”
He added: “There must be something special about this place – we’re all like homing pigeons, returning at every opportunity. I see the cultural attache for Huyton, Peter Reid, quite a lot. There is togetherness here, and you should never underestimate an Evertonian.”
Chairman Bill Kenwright has been a target for fans’ abuse, but Royle stated: “Bill is the biggest and best Evertonian that has ever been.”