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Replies

Alexandra Topping @lexytopping.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

I wrote about football, family, memory and loss. About going to watch Everton with my dad, taking my son to Goodison for a final pilgrimage and why that place means so much to so many of us 💙>> www.theguardian.com/football/202...

theguardian.com

History, memory, grief and belonging: my bittersweet Goodison farewell

Evertonian Alexandra Topping – knowing that the famous old ground’s time was running out – made a final pilgrimage with her nine-year-old son

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Jamie Garwood @nexttotheaisle.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

Lovely piece. My Mother's family are Blue, so Everton and Goodison (going with my dearly departed Grandad) holds a special place in my heart. Went for the 3-2 game v Spurs a few weeks ago for the final time. I shall miss the old place. They don't make them like that anymore

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Cas Mudde @casmudde.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

It was a beautiful story. Thanks for sharing.

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Sushant @reddevilssupptr.bsky.social · 19/02/2025

Beautiful!

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Malcolm Dixon @malcolmdixon59.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

It’s a fabulous piece, Alexandra, capturing much about what makes Everton special to those fortunate enough to be ‘touched’.

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DaveW @davew1878.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

Excellent article Alexandra. Captured memories for many of us 💙

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Jon Kitching @patmustard.bsky.social · 11/02/2025

I took my 8 year old to a game at Goodison this year too so he could have the same experience that I remember I had as a child. He loved it too and I hope will remember it in years to come after the chance to go again will have gone. Thanks for the lovely piece of writing.

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Jay @lavieenrouge.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

This was beautiful. My late dad was an Evertonian and I never got to Goodison. I’m going to do a stadium tour soon so at least my feet can stand where his heart was 💙

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duncantweed.bsky.social @duncantweed.bsky.social · 19/02/2025

tear in my eye ...

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Baxy @bluebaxy.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

Lovely article, more than a fitting tribute to a wonderful place. Well done Alexandra👏 UTFT 🧢💙💪

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Baxy @bluebaxy.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

Is it ok to be sat on my own with tears in my eyes reading this article? It must be! I can’t wait to reach BMD but I got married at this grand old lady & I’ve witnessed far too many euphoric days & nights not to shed a tear or two at her passing. UTFT 🧢💙💪

media.tenor.com

a crowd of people holding up their fists in the air with blue smoke coming out of the sky

ALT: a crowd of people holding up their fists in the air with blue smoke coming out of the sky

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Tony Millett @tonymillett.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

What a really lovely piece. Thank you for cheering up my day!

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Graham Williams @grahamtw.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

My strongest recollections of Goodison Park will always be the smell of hot dogs, Higsons Bitter and cigar smoke at my first matches in 1972 - a sense of safety and belonging.

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Graham Williams @grahamtw.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

Fantastic piece too 👏👏👏

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Paul Roberts @paulrog.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

Lovely and heartfelt piece this. Likewise been carrying around memories of my father and grandfathers throughout this season. Glad you got to pass on that torch to your son!!

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Aelred John @aelredjohn.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

That was lovely. One if the best days of his life. Yours too. Brought a tear to the eye.

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Simon Pettit @simonpettit67.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

A lovely piece & echoed so many of my feelings...was at the same game with my nephew (also a Blue) to share the emotion of a final visit to the Grand Old Lady which has had a deep longstanding family connection! Gt Gt Uncle 'Bob' Menham made his Everton debut here between the sticks in 1890's...

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crosbyfonz.bsky.social @crosbyfonz.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

Beautiful read Alexandra. Your final paragraphs and story of your Dad taking you chocked me up, as I prepare to fly back to Walton, for what might be my final visit on Wednesday. Hope your son is still twirling the scarf 💙 UTFT!!

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norm @itumulus.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

One for you @jongard.bsky.social

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Jim Johnson @jamesmcneile.bsky.social · 13/02/2025

My first game as an 8 year old standing on the Paddock with my dad and his mates from Gateacre village. We beat Cardiff 8-3! Can’t remember any of the goals just Billy Bingham taking a corner! All that 63 years ago hoping my health allows me one last trip to Goodison to recall those ghosts.

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Michael Blesic @michaelblesic.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

Beautifully written Alexandra. As a Tottenham fan we went through similar emotions eight years ago. Nostalgic and exciting at the same time. A bit different though as the new ground is, give or take a few yards, on the same site as the old WHL.

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Andy doyle @ad1957.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

Wonderful piece it sums up everything about Goodison and the relationship we have with it

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Jim Brown @jjb66.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

Was a lovely piece

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Marc (Solo Socked Sidibé) Fad @fad1878.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

media.tenor.com

a man in a black shirt is sitting on a couch making a face .

ALT: a man in a black shirt is sitting on a couch making a face .

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ianocally.bsky.social @ianocally.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

It was beautiful.

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Steve Corley @stevecorley70.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

A bit of a lump in my throat reading that. Beautifully written

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Liz L @elefebvre11.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

Just perfect - thank you for this 💙💙

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Colm Kavanagh @colmkavanagh.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

It was my last game also, Alexandra - over fifty years attending games. The fact that we won 4-0, in a season of turgid Dycheball, and with a goal in the tenth second - merely a bonus. Goodison is about the people, always has been, always wi... Oh, hang on. Plenty of words over the coming weeks!

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Barrie White @barriewhite.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

Superb, Alexandra. Not cliched because it’s all true, and very sense and feeling described. Brilliant.

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J @jsm999.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

I think I’ve got something in my eye.

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Laurie @rodrigoefc.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

My mum, a season ticket holder, took me to Goodison in the 50's. I took my twins to the last game of the last century there. They've had season tickets since they were 7. The three of us will be there on the last day remembering her and doubtless to say, shedding a fair few tears. Up The Toffees

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Neal Sutherland @nealsutherland.bsky.social · 11/02/2025

It was our last game as well and the tears that flowed at the final whistle just flowed again. Wonderfully written, you encapsulated our hope and grief perfectly 💙✊ #UTFT

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Ian Salmon @ianrsalmon.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

A beautiful piece - my wife’s a blue (I’m a red) and all of this echoes her experience and feeling.

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Jack Stewart @ginjured.bsky.social · 19/02/2025

Wonderful read! Football stadiums really can mean so much. My dad's ashes are buried under the pitch at Vicarage Road and it's always special when I can go. I'm moving to Canada this year but I still hope when I have kids of my own I'll be able to travel over to take them and share that experience

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