In the heart of Merseyside, where football is more than a game—it’s a way of life—Jack Grealish, the charismatic Manchester City loanee now donning Everton’s blue, has issued a passionate call to the Toffees’ fans. With Everton Women embarking on a historic new chapter at Goodison Park, Grealish urged supporters to turn the iconic stadium into an impregnable fortress for the Women’s Super League (WSL) campaign. His words, delivered with the conviction of someone who knows the electric atmosphere the old ground can muster, aim to ignite a wave of support for Brian Sorensen’s squad as they make Goodison their permanent home.
Grealish, the 30-year-old England international who joined Everton’s men’s team on loan this summer, spoke to the club’s TV channel with a blend of nostalgia and optimism. “Listen, I’ve had so many tough games [at Goodison] over the years,” he said, reflecting on his battles against Everton during his stints with Aston Villa and Manchester City. “I know what the atmosphere can be like, so I think it would be nice for people to go and support them and get behind them.” His vision is clear: Goodison Park, with its storied history and passionate fanbase, can become a cauldron of support that intimidates opponents and uplifts the Everton Women’s team. “I think it can be like a fortress for them,” he added, emphasizing the potential for fans to create an atmosphere that makes the stadium a daunting prospect for visiting WSL sides.
The move to Goodison marks a significant milestone for Everton Women, who previously played their home matches at Walton Hall Park. That venue now hosts academy games and the local FA Women’s National League side Liverpool Feds, leaving Goodison as the new stage for the Toffees’ WSL ambitions. Manager Brian Sorensen, who has called Goodison “a magic place,” echoed Grealish’s sentiments, emphasizing the blend of tradition and renewal the stadium represents. “We can’t get enough of being here, we want to really make it our home,” Sorensen said before the team’s official move-in on Sunday. “Goodison Park is a blend of a new era and the history that is here. I love the quote: ‘you don’t become an Evertonian, you are born it.’ I told the girls, we have inherited something historic.”
Yet, the team’s debut at Goodison didn’t go as planned. A 2-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur in their opening WSL fixture at the stadium was a disappointing start, leaving Sorensen frustrated with his squad’s performance. Despite the setback, the focus now shifts to their next home match against London City Lionesses on Friday, September 19, a chance to harness the fortress-like atmosphere Grealish envisions. The defeat hasn’t dimmed the optimism surrounding the move, with fans and players alike eager to build a legacy at Goodison.
Grealish’s call to action extends beyond the pitch, touching on the broader growth of women’s football in England. Having witnessed the sport’s surge since the Lionesses’ Euro 2022 triumph at Wembley, he expressed admiration for its progress. “I think women’s football is coming on so much, especially since then, and it’s so good to see,” he enthused. He also praised Everton’s decision to hand Goodison to the women’s team, calling it “incredible” and a sign of the club’s commitment to elevating the squad. “I think it’s incredible from Everton to give Goodison Park to the team because I feel like it’s like theirs now to go and perform,” he said, underscoring the opportunity for the players to seize their moment in a stadium steeped in history.
For Grealish, the move to Everton has been a personal renaissance. After struggling for minutes at Manchester City, he’s found a new lease on life at the Toffees’ new Hill Dickinson Stadium, where his flair and creativity have already earned him accolades, including four assists in his first two Premier League starts. His connection to Everton runs deep, and his advocacy for the women’s team reflects his growing bond with the club and its fans. As Everton Women prepare to face London City Lionesses, Grealish’s rallying cry resonates: fill Goodison’s stands, roar with pride, and make it a fortress where opponents tremble. In a city where football pulses through every street, the stage is set for the Toffees to write a new chapter, with their fans as the heartbeat of their success.
Leave a Reply