My Goodison No.44: New Beginnings

My first trip to Goodison Park was when I around five years old – my late dad, Michael Kellett, took me and I remember going to Lewis' in Liverpool for a new outfit to wear for especially for it.

We would still go to games as much as we could. My first big memory of Everton was the 1984 Cup final – I stayed home watching on television but my dad managed to get a ticket.

At Goodison, we would sit in the upper sections of the Main Stand with "restricted views". I loved it – the noise, the goals, the roar of the crowd.

We then started getting the Evertonian magazine delivered once a month. I would always read the 'we make your dreams come true' column. One day I wrote in to ask to be a Toffee Lady and they only went and published my letter!

On 10 October 1987, my dream came true, as we played Chelsea – and we beat them 4-1, with Graeme Sharp and Adrian Heath scoring two each. My dad was the cat that got the cream standing alongside me on the Goodison Park turf.

Over the years we went to lots more games together, including the Cup final in 1995. Going to the matches created so many wonderful dad-and-daughter moments.

Sadly, he passed away in November 2008 and devastation does not even begin to cover how I felt. I couldn't even go to the football because it reminded me so much of him.

Fast-forward to 2017, I met my now-partner, who I'd known 20 years earlier, and I was ready to start going back to Goodison Park.

My last-ever game was against Tottenham earlier this season and, knowing I was not coming back, I was so tearful. It was hard to say goodbye to a place that has been so special to me. As I walked out of the ground, I heard 'I guess that's why they call it the Blues' by Elton John – my dad's funeral song. It felt like he was there watching over me.

It's time for new beginnings now as we move to a wonderful new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock. I purchased a granite on Everton Way with my dad's name on it – it only felt right that he would be coming with me.

Thank you for the memories, Goodison. See you at the new place.

By Marisa Kellett, Evertonian

A series of first-hand accounts describing moments that made us fall in love with Goodison Park, My Goodison - supported by the Club's Main Partner, Stake - is a new weekly offering here on evertonfc.com, bringing you the most-treasured memories of fans, players, and staff both past and present, for our final season at the Grand Old Lady. Got an entry?

We'd love to hear it. Email us via digital.content@evertonfc.com