Hard To Say Goodbye Goodison

Everton fans prepare for tearful farewell before move to new dockside stadium

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LONDON - Dave Bond, the manager of iconic Everton pub The Winslow Hotel, has been a supporter of the Merseyside club since his mother dug out an old long-wave radio from the attic of their home in County Clare, Ireland that broadcast the team's matches.

His interest in Everton had already been sparked by a book on the team and their great forward Dixie Dean in the 1920s and 30s.

"The signal was ever so faint, but as a nine-year-old boy I could pick up commentary of the games," Bond told Reuters.

"And that was the start of my love affair with Everton. I had my ear to that radio for a good few years."

Bond and thousands of other supporters will bid an emotional farewell on May 18 when Everton host Southampton in the club's final Premier League game ever to be staged at Goodison Park, their home for more than a century.

It will be a day to celebrate the "Grand Old Lady", but one many fans have been dreading.

"I don't have time to process the emotions, because it's everything," said Bond. "There is no precedent, it's 133 years of match-day history."

While the men's side are heading for pastures new, Everton announced on May 13 that the women's team will make Goodison their permanent home from next season.