Goodison nostalgia shows Everton have recaptured what distinguishes them from the rest
Marco Silva’s Everton reign may become an exercise in dashing down Goodison Park’s nostalgia trail.
There is desperation for the club to show it is racing into the 21st century rather than remnant of a bygone age. Their archaic stadium charmingly situated amid Liverpool’s terraced streets is often perceived as a symbol of what Everton must leave behind when they relocate to the city’s docks in 2023.
Not strictly true.
Key to an Everton revival is harnessing the best of both worlds.
Now the long goodbye is underway for a venue described by chairman Bill Kenwright as ‘The Grand Old Lady’ and it is boom time for the club’s reminiscence industry, supporters paradoxically look to a future overlooking the River Mersey, breathtaking new arena.
Complex planning, logistical and - lest we forget - financial issues may prompt more cynical supporters to pause before engaging in a lengthy, emotional farewell.
But for the majority attending the opening home game of the season against Watford the end is nigh and they are determined to cherish what time is left. Goodison love vows are being renewed. In the process, the essence of what distinguishes Everton from the rest has been recaptured.
Flags were handed to every fan ahead of kick-off. An air raid siren - first used in the venue to proclaim the arrival of boxer Tony ‘Bomber’ Bellew - has been adopted as the most intimidating welcome in the Premier League, the cacophony a contrast to the quaint sentimentality of the theme from Z-Cars which has accompanied the home players onto the pitch since the early 1960s.
The timing of the romantic quest to inspire a glorious exit should work in Silva’s favour. Unlike his immediate predecessors he is currently benefiting from the most effective weapon at Everton’s disposal. There is nothing in English football quite like an ebullient Goodison.
Silva is benefiting from the most effective weapon at Everton’s disposal - their legendary home
At its best it is the most captivating of venues - but only when supporters and players are in tandem. That has not been often enough in recent times, disillusionment and mistrust regularly making for a suffocating, intolerant environment. Plenty of talented footballers wither here. Sadly, some of them have worn blue shirts. What is reassuring for Silva is since the final months of last season it is those in the opposition hurting most.
Everton are unbeaten at home since Manchester City's visit on February 9. They have not conceded at Goodison since Gabriel Jesus stuck in the seventh minute of injury time that night. The run has taken in wins over Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United, as well as the goalless draw which damaged Liverpool’s title bid.
They were not at their best on Saturday, but there was no overly judgmental and self-harming howl of derision accompanying misplaced passes. New recruit Jean-Philippe Gbamin - who is beginning the process of learning where once he had a second to pick out a team mates he now has half that - was granted enthusiastic applause for finding a teammate six yards away. He must think it impossible to play in front of a more appreciative and understanding audience.
Watford knew they were trying to overcome the venue as much as the stubborn defence marshalled by the excellent Michael Keane, assisted by the refreshed Jordan Pickford.
David Moyes once made a pertinent observation about Goodison working its way into a game as much as the team, as if years of underachievement prompted fans to take their seat arms folded and sporting wary growls - a legacy of witnessing too much mediocrity in the 1990s.
“Go on then. Show us what you can do,” seemed to be the default, slightly defeatist position. Despite encouraging debut seasons, Roberto Martinez and Ronald Koeman could never shift that mentality.
Where at most grounds the noise volume peaks at kick-off, until recently at Goodison it was generally the opposite, only a performance worthy of the club’s heritage engaging the Gwladys Street.
“Get it forward and win a corner early,” Moyes would instruct his players, recognising the importance of giving the supporters hope to cling onto, bringing them into the equation.
There is more of that hope again, whether in the form of young signings of promise, a more dynamic forward thinking manager and - most pertinent of all - those exceptional stadium plans.
There is an attractive irony that in the midst of extraordinary blueprint for a new home, Goodison Park has begun its twilight years amid a sense of regeneration.
