Everton's post-match plans for finale at Goodison feel underwhelming

The celebration is due to continue after the final whistle, but the official plans feel like they are not enough.
Everton FC v Ipswich Town FC - Premier League
Everton FC v Ipswich Town FC - Premier League | Michael Regan/GettyImages

It's no secret that Everton (at least its men's first team) will play its final match at Goodison Park on May 18, hosting already relegated Southampton.

The occassion will no doubt be treated with plenty of fanfare and pomp, and will flood supporters with emotions as the time draws near for the club to move to its new home on Bramley-Moore Dock.

And so, today Everton announced plans for a post-match on-pitch celebration that will last "approximately one hour" and include "guest presenters, apperances from current and former players, live musical performances, and specially-curated big screen content that captures the spirit, memories and history of the stadium."

The celebration, which the club are calling "End of an Era," will also include consumption of alcohol, which is something that isn't not allowed in the seats during matches.

There will also be pre-match festivities put on by the 1878's supporters group, including a coach welcome for the players as they make their way to Goodison for the last match.

All of this seems well and good, and the hope is that while the official ceremony will only last an hour, that some lingering and memory making will be allowed for supporters. But the sum of this feels somewhat underwhelming, especially for fans who can't be in attendance for the match.

Sure, that's a selfish response from someone who only got to visit the Old Lady once, just two months ago, but the hope is that the local broadcasts will allow Evertonians who aren't in Liverpool or who couldn't secure tickets to the match to experience the ceremony.

To be fair, there is no good way to send off this grand old stadium after 133 years, and no matter what the club chose to do, it was going to be met with equal parts excitement and a sense that more could be done.

In either respect, supporters should take it in as best they can, and cheer on the Grand Old Team for one more famous Goodison victory.