The ECHO spoke to Evertonians on a historic day for the Toffees
Tony McQuiggan, 77, from Kirkby, outside the Hill Dickinson Stadium
Tony McQuiggan, 77, from Kirkby, outside the Hill Dickinson Stadium
(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Evertonians called their new stadium "magnificent" and said a new era had begun as the club made a perfect start to life away from Goodison Park. David Moyes' side beat Brighton and Hove Albion 2-0 at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday afternoon in their first competitive home game away from Goodison in 133 years.
The city centre was a sea of blue from the early morning as Everton fans packed out pubs along and around Dale Street. Drinkers spilled into the street outside The Lock Up on North John Street and The Denbigh Castle on Hackins Hey. The ECHO then made the new matchday walk along Regent Road to the stadium with the Everton fans.
Among them were Martin Fitton, 56, from Maghull, and Mally Hurn, 64, from Crosby. Martin, who has been a season ticket holder since 1984, told the ECHO he hopes the move to Bramley-Moore can inspire a return to the glory days of when he started going.
Martin told the ECHO: "We're in the West Stand, towards the South Stand, more or less in the corner in the upper tier. This is a change from Goodison, and things needed to change.
"The new ground should help us progress into a safer position in the Premier League and hopefully kick on. The stadium is magnificent.
"I work in town, so I would drive down there and would park here. I saw it from its concepts through the construction, and it's magnificent.
Martin Fitton, 56, from Maghull (right) and Mally Hurn, 64, from Crosby en route to the Hill Dickinson Stadium
Martin Fitton, 56, from Maghull (right) and Mally Hurn, 64, from Crosby en route to the Hill Dickinson Stadium
"Especially on a day like today when you've got the river like a millpond. It might be a little bit different on a Wednesday night in February, but it's great. I'm excited for today; the crowd will be up for it; they always are for the first game."
Tony McQuiggan, 77, from Kirkby, has witnessed plenty of Everton history in his seven decades as a matchgoer. He spoke to the ECHO outside the Bramley-Moore Hotel pub, where plenty of Blues gathered for a pint in the sunshine before kickoff, and said he will miss Goodison but is looking forward to an unobstructed view at Hill Dickinson.
He told the ECHO: "I've been going to Goodison since I was 10, so for 67 years. I was sad to leave it, but we needed this. I went to two test events, the first one with 10,000 people and the Roma game.
"It's an amazing ground. It's a bit high where we are, but once you get used to it, it's fantastic. We're in row 48 in the South Stand; it takes a bit to get up there, but it's a brilliant view.
"At Goodison we had two pillars in front of us. I won't miss those pillars. The ground was in full force for the Roma game; that was a full house. But this is a proper game. I think it's a new era for Everton, with Moyes, the new owners, and a new ground. I just hope we kick on."
Fireworks were let off from the 52,769-capacity stadium, and There She Goes by The La's (swiftly becoming an Everton anthem after being played at the last game at Goodison) was followed by the usual siren and Z-Cars to get the match underway.
The home side took the lead when Iliman Ndiaye tapped home a Jack Grealish cross in the 23rd minute, sending the stadium into raptures. James Garner doubled that advantage in the 52nd minute, rifling home from outside the box after Grealish played the ball back to him.
Jordan Pickford denied Danny Welbeck from the penalty spot in the second half to preserve the Toffees' two-goal lead and ultimately claim the three points. It got the Blues' season up and running and was the ideal start to life in their new home.
After the match, the ECHO spoke to fans on their way into the city centre to toast the victory with a pint. On her way to the Cross Keys with Rob Bannister, 64, and Joe Townson, 74, was Carol Yates, 42, from Huyton.
Carol told the ECHO: "We were in the South Stand upper. It was absolutely unreal. You can't even describe the atmosphere - I think it really lifted the team today.
"Z-Cars was why we didn't go to the Roma game. I wanted to hear that as the players came out at the first game. Everyone was up on their feet, and it was unreal. 'There She Goes' got everyone up."
Everton's first competitive goal in their new home was met with a roar redolent of Goodison Park's best atmospheres. Chanting and singing could be heard from Old Hall Street while the Blues cruised to victory.
Carol was pleased with the symmetry provided by Ndiaye scoring the club's first competitive goal at their new home - the Senegalese international scored twice as the Toffees beat Southampton 2-0 to sign off from Goodison Park in the final game of last season back in May.
About that, she said: "Ndiaye scored the last goal at Goodison and the first goal at the new ground. It erupted; it was incredible.
Carol Yates, 42, Rob Bannister, 64, and Joe Townson, 74, after Everton's win over Brighton
Carol Yates, 42, Rob Bannister, 64, and Joe Townson, 74, after Everton's win over Brighton
"I'm hoping it's a new start. Let's give ourselves a little boost now, and let's keep going forward. The new additions of Grealish and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall made a real difference. Both of them together were like a class above everyone."
Stewart Nicholson Jnr, 38, from Pensby, who has been a season ticket holder with his dad, Stewart Snr, 71, for around 30 years, saw it similarly. He thought the new signings give Everton real cause for optimism for the season ahead.
He told the ECHO: "It felt like there was a bit of quality in the team as well. Grealish and Dewsbury-Hall were a cut above.
"You could tell. Grealish will be the first star at this ground - he's got real quality; he's an absolute winner. It's the same with Dewsbury-Hall."
Stewart Nicholson Jnr, 38, from Pensby, with his dad Stewart Snr, 71
Stewart Nicholson Jnr, 38, from Pensby, with his dad Stewart Snr, 71
About the game, Stewart said: "It was a brilliant atmosphere. I've been a season ticket holder with my dad for 30-odd years. We were in the Top Balcony at Goodison, and now we're in the Upper East stand. It was great.
"We walked up about 15 minutes before the game, and 'There She Goes' was playing. It was a brilliant atmosphere already, but then Z-Cars hit. That was great.
"We'd been to two test events, but it was a different atmosphere today. It felt like it had real meaning. The first goal had a fantastic reaction from the crowd."
Pubs on and around Dale Street were packed out with Blues after the match, raising a glass to an exciting, fresh start on the banks of the Royal Blue Mersey.