This is the final part of our correspondentPeter’s adventure to finally watch the Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park. Read the first part here -The End of Innocence: A Journey to End my Goodison Curse and the second here - Next Step: A Journey to End my Goodison Curse
The joy and elation of Everton’s victory over Wolves had reignited my journey, and my return to The Grand Old Lady could not have gone any better. My drive back to Derby, where I was staying with family, was euphoric!
The quest to break My Goodison Curse was two-thirds of the way to completion but it was the final hurdle to see the derby which was critical. I had my ticket, the plan was in place, and all I had to do was wait for Saturday to travel.
On Thursday, I received a text message from a friend who told me that there was some talk about the arrival of a weather storm named Darragh in the UK. I shook my head and replied to them to “bite their tongue”. Knowing my history, to say that there was even a slight possibility of cancellation were foolish words, and I dismissed them quickly.
Storm Darragh is continuing to deepen as it approaches the UK, bringing the risk of severe gales, heavy rain and even some snow - mainly on the Scottish hills pic.twitter.com/4iIRKdhQ8M
— BBC Weather (@bbcweather) December 6, 2024
However, the reporting started to intensify and the potential for the arrival of the storm increased. Coverage on the BBC became critical for me and I don’t remember ever paying this much attention to radar images and meteorological prognostications.
By Friday evening the potential cancellation was more than just a thing, it was a very distinct possibility. I was buoyed when at around 8 PM there was a joint statement from Everton and Liverpool to say that the match was still on, but travelling was going to be a challenge and the advisory asked supporters to ensure that they gave enough time for the treacherous roads.
It was a 12:30 PM kickoff and the journey from just outside Derby was about two hours. I knew the storm was going to intensify through the morning so I was on the road at 6 AM. The roads were lightly travelled as people heeded the warning to stay clear and travel only when necessary. It was windy, but interestingly, there was very little rain and my passage to Liverpool went quite uneventfully.
The club had informed the fans that a meeting would take place at 8 AM on Saturday morning to make a final decision based on current conditions and the potential weather implications for kickoff time. With my experience on the road and the lack of heavy rainfall, I made my way through Chester and stopped for a bite to eat before heading into Liverpool.
I had to pick up my friend Pam, who was going with me to the match. She lived in Wallace and it was then going to be a short drive through the Mercy tunnel for the final leg of the journey. As I pulled off the motorway, I received a notification from a WhatsApp group that I had joined and the news dropped like a stone.
The match was off. There was going to be an announcement from the club shortly and I sat in my car, listening to Alan Stubbs on talkSPORT previewing the match that was not going to take place that day. I knew it was off, but they did not yet and I felt I was in a little bubble, another alternate universe.
I drove the last few miles to my friend’s home and parked in front of their house. I was gutted. I texted my friend to tell her the news. She asked where I was at the time, and I told her that I was outside writing an article, which wasn’t quite true. I just couldn’t face up to the conversation that we would have when I entered her home.
So many had heard my story and knew that the Goodison Curse should have ended on that day and when the announcement was made by the club a few minutes later, I then received a torrent of text messages.
It had happened again. My Goodison Curse had not been banished, in fact it had continued with wild abandon. The club had said that public safety was at the forefront of the decision and the potential safety risks around the ground, and on the journey to the stadium would be too much to allow the game to continue.
One of the text messages was from my cousin who had received a call from one of her friends who was a reporter with Capital News. Harry was recording a story for the 11 am news and wanted a quote from me about my reaction. I did the interview with Harry and a few minutes later he sent me a link to the news program and when I heard my voice playing over the national news. It became very real.
There was now a requirement to fill my day and as hard as I was trying I felt like I was walking through soup. I popped into the Everton Two shop in Liverpool One to get the final season commemorative patch for my replica shirts. Throughout the day, I was gauging the weather. I have to say that through most of it I felt the game could have gone on but I knew that was just wishful thinking and perhaps regret talking.
Each time I travel back home to Liverpool, I am in awe of the beauty of the people who I meet and reflect on the joy that they bring. This time was no different. My family was happy see me again and were very supportive in my quest. It was also another chance to see the Everton Stadium in all it’s glory rising out of the Mersey River. It is a stadium that will take us into the future but not replace Goodison in our hearts.
Even in the driving rain of Storm Darragh, Everton Stadium shines in the night!
The many Evertonians I met reminded me why I love this club and this city. There were many supporters but top of the list would have to be Brian Kenny, the Deputy Civic Mayor of Wirral. Brian graciously allowed me to use his tickets for both the Manchester game and the unplayed derby. Our time together on the day after the Wolves match was a great moment for me and making a connection with such a passionate Evertonian was worth the journey in and of itself.
With Brian Kenny, the Deputy Civic Mayor of Wirral
As I drove back to Derby for the last couple of days with my family, there has been no detailed news about rescheduling the match. It could be on January 1 and it might not be played until February or March. I have no control over that but I do know that I will be keeping an eye on flights once the date is announced.
Being an Evertonian means that you have to be resilient, determined, and prepared for disappointment. This journey ended in frustration that My Goodison Curse was not put to bed, but it has not diminished my love for the club and the incredible fans who support the team through thick and thin.
Liverpool, I will see you soon once the game at Goodison Park has been rescheduled. I will just have to be patient. COYB