The 1878s - weather permitting - have big plans and a poignant message for the derby
Sport
Updated 14:38, 06 Dec 2024
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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 5: Fans of Everton hold up banners during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Newcastle United FC at Goodison Park on October 5, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Everton flags and banners will be out in force at the club's final Merseyside league derby against Liverpool at Goodison Park
(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Plans are in place for a special atmosphere as Goodison Park hosts its final Everton vs Liverpool Merseyside league. derby Influential Blues supporter group The 1878s, the outfit behind the stunning displays that have already been a feature of this historic season, are set to draft in 100 volunteers for what is set to be one of two major showings this month.
And the group is urging fans who love what they do to support their sponsor for Saturday’s game - Fans Supporting Foodbanks - by bringing donations to the match.
The 1878s have produced superb displays from the Gwladys Street to the Bullens to the Park End already this season as they take advantage of the opportunity to make Goodison look her best before the club’s move to the Liverpool waterfront.
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They are scheduled to be back in force on Saturday with dozens of flags and banners - including newly commissioned ones - set to fly among the supporters desperate for a repeat of Everton’s derby heroics in April.
Speaking ahead of the game, the 1878s’ Katie Carter said: “It is the last league derby at Goodison and we want to put on a good display. We have been working towards this month over the past few weeks and we have numerous new flags that we have kept for the game. We’ve needed 100 volunteers - credit to those who have said they are prepared to give their time.
“The planning hasn’t all been specifically for this game - we wanted to do to big ones in December and it so happens they will be for Liverpool and Chelsea but if it all goes ahead on Saturday it will look fantastic.”
Whether the 1878s will be able to put their plans into action will be decided on Saturday morning. Merseyside is currently under an amber weather warning from the Met Office for the match, with the forecaster warninggusts of up to 80mph are likely around exposed coastal areas and of up to 70mph inland.
Should the weather be so severe then the 1878s will have to reconsider their plans, with a judgement call to be made in the morning and the group saying the safety of those involved is paramount.
Whatever the weather holds, Katie is hoping supporters will answer the call to help tackle hunger in the region. She said: “We are urging every single fan, if possible, to bring an item for the foodbank. If that happened we could go to bed on Saturday knowing not one child in the city had gone hungry. That is the aim.”
*Foodbank collections take place next to the fan zone entrance on Goodison Road, opposite the junction with Spellow Lane.