Seamus Coleman: Everton ‘fans backed us in our time of need’ ahead of ‘emotional’ Goodison Park goodbye against Southampton
Published 16/05/2025 at 13:43 GMT+1
Everton stalwarts Seamus Coleman and Jordan Pickford spoke to TNT Sports for an exclusive interview ahead of the club's final home game against Southampton. The Toffees will move into their new Bramley-Moore Dock home at the end of the season and say farewell to the iconic Goodison Park after 133 years. Coleman and Pickford are aware it will be emotional but hope they can go out with a bang.
‘We want to do the place proud’ – Coleman out to repay fans on ‘emotional’ Goodison farewell
Video credit: TNT Sports
The end of an era is fast approaching as Everton men's team prepare to play their final game at Goodison Park.
For 133 years, everyone on the blue half of Merseyside experienced countless ups and downs in their much-loved stadium, which is an intimate cauldron of noise unlike most others.
One player who has been there to experience a large portion of the highs and lows and who could never be accused of not giving his all is Seamus Coleman.
The veteran right-back joined The Toffees in 2009 and will make his 428th appearance in blue at home to Southampton on Sunday, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
It has not all been smooth sailing, far from it. But despite being at the club for most of his adult life, the 36-year-old knows the grand – and hopefully winning – farewell is all about honouring the supporters.
"I think the fans backed us at our time of need when we needed them," Coleman told TNT Sports. "The last few years haven’t been where we wanted to be as a football club.
"There were times when we had massive games, Chelsea at home [in May 2022]. I remember Richarlison scoring.
"My feelings are more for the people in the stands, the people that have the traditions of coming here, their match-day experience. Whether they go to the pub or the cafe beforehand or people that they’ve watched the game with in the past that maybe are no longer with them, my thoughts are with all the fans that come on Sunday rather than my own emotions."
Coleman admits the move has not yet sunk in, although he added it is "starting to get very real" that he will soon have no more games to play at the club’s iconic home.
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On the face of it, the visit of already-relegated Southampton offers a great chance to finish on a high, but it will be a pressure-packed occasion. It always is with such passionate fans who are so close to the action.
But the players were able to step up in the final Merseyside derby at Goodison, James Tarkowski’s 98th-minute equaliser sending the place into a frenzy, so they will be confident they can go out with a similar bang on Sunday.
"We’ve got one big day here and we want to do the place proud as well," he added. "That’s important. That’s what the manager’s been talking about as well because it’s going to be emotional.
"It’s been everyone’s life for so long."
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‘One of the most intimidating places to come’
There are few grounds that epitomise the phrase ‘it’s a tough place to go’ more than Goodison Park.
Supporters are that close they can practically grab the shirts off players’ backs on the touchline. That coupled with the passion Evertonians have for their beloved club makes it such a daunting prospect for rival teams.
And it rings particularly true, according to Jordan Pickford, when the hosts are attacking the famous Gwladys Street End.
"I think we get better momentum going down to the Gwladys," Pickford said. "Once we get on top of the game and you’re going down to the Gwladys, the momentum shifts and you put people under pressure. It definitely feels like you’re suffocating teams a lot more when I’m up the Park End.
"But we just need to start the game right. Every game we’re playing to get this place bouncing. When it does get bouncing it’s a tough place to come.
"You’ve seen it in the past, you’ve seen it in massive games and a lot of ex-players, ex-managers have all said Goodison is one of the most intimidating places to come to.
"We’ve got one more crack at it on Sunday and we need to make sure Southampton feel that.
"We know the fans are going to be up for it and we’re going to be up for it as well."
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