The decision to postpone the 245th Merseyside derby came shortly after 8am on Saturday — and was of little shock to anyone on Merseyside.
With 70mph winds from Storm Darragh wreaking havoc across the region, Everton and Liverpool met early with the local safety advisory group. The clubs were advised by those present, including the police, Liverpool City Council, transport providers and emergency services, that the game should not go ahead due to concerns over supporter safety.
In truth, the writing had long been on the wall for this historic fixture. In anticipation of the storm, Merseyside Police had advised against non-essential travel. Flights from nearby Dublin Airport, just over the Irish Sea, had been cancelled by Irish airline Aer Lingus. Weekend fixtures in nearby Wales were called off on Friday due to red weather warnings, which are reserved for “very dangerous weather”.
Everton had been in regular dialogue with the local council and safety advisory group on the eve of the game. Privately there were concerns whether the match would be able to go ahead, but the authorities had to wait for the gloomy forecast to become reality for the match to officially be postponed.
Confirmation came at 8.34am, via social media. Goodison’s Merseyside derby farewell would have to wait a while longer.
The main concern of the two clubs and local authorities was not about the quality of the football in such conditions, but the potential risk to supporter safety on their way to and from the stadium.
Goodison is historic and increasingly unique, situated in a maze of compact streets and terraced houses. It makes the Grand Old Lady one of English football’s most characterful arenas, but the prospect of 40,000 fans crammed into those tight confines, with flying debris around, convinced those in attendance at Saturday’s meeting to take action.
There was widespread disappointment that the game had been called off at short notice. Many supporters will be out of pocket, while officials confirmed to The Athletic that Everton stand to make a loss as a result of the postponement, given the staffing and policing costs of such a fixture.
There have been some positives since the announcement. Pies and other perishables for the game were donated to the Fans Supporting Foodbanks campaign while other food items will be delivered to the club’s Everton in the Community charity arm for use in the coming week — always welcome at any time of year, but particularly in the run-up to Christmas.
There was a clear acceptance the right decision was made. Everton have experienced tragedy in similar conditions. Earlier this year, club officials laid a wreath at Leicester City’s King Power stadium to mark the 20-year anniversary of the sad passing of season-ticket holder Bernard Murphy, who died having been struck by a large timber hoarding in high winds.
In a statement on Saturday, Everton wrote: “We apologise for the inconvenience caused and thank supporters for their understanding. Whilst we appreciate this will be deeply disappointing for supporters, the safety of fans, staff and players is of paramount importance.
“Information relating to a rearranged date for the fixture will be announced in due course. All tickets purchased for the original fixture will remain valid for the rearranged fixture.”
There will be those, of course, who will now miss the rescheduled derby — and therefore the last meeting between the two teams at Goodison.
Everton supporter Mackenzie Kinsella, 15, was left disappointed having spent £1,500 ($1,900) from his home in Australia to be at the historic fixture.
Kinsella, who was in attendance for the 4-0 midweek win over Wolverhampton Wanderers, has now been invited to attend the club’s Finch Farm training ground on Monday by captain Seamus Coleman.
BBC EXCLUSIVE. I can reveal #EFC Captain Seamus Coleman has invited 15-year-old fan Mackenzie Kinsella from Australia to Everton’s training ground
The teen used his savings to fly from Sydney for the last Merseyside Derby at Goodison but it was postponed. More on @bbcmerseysport pic.twitter.com/1JdOk7YdI6
— Giulia Bould (@GiuliaBould) December 7, 2024
Liverpool supporter Jamie Sciberras and his father Steve flew into Manchester Airport from Malta on Friday afternoon in eager anticipation of attending the derby.
“We’ve been travelling to games together for over 20 years,” Jamie tells The Athletic. “We get to around 10 to 15 matches a season and when the fixtures came out the last league derby at Goodison was one away game we were desperate to get to.
“On the train from Manchester to Liverpool on Friday, we heard that the game was in some doubt with the police in talks with the clubs due to the storms.
“We were up early on Saturday hoping for some good news but then came the alert at 8:30am that it was off. It’s so disappointing.”
The pair had each spent around £500 on flights, accommodation and a match ticket.
With an early flight back to Malta from Manchester on Sunday, they also had a 3am alarm call to look forward to.
Jamie, 27, who works in the accounts department of a brewery, added: “Considering how bad the weather has been since we’ve been here, I can fully understand why they made the decision to postpone it. The wind is crazy.
“It’s going to be harder for us to get back for the rearranged game later in the season as it’s likely to be played in midweek and that means taking three days off work rather than one. But keeping everyone safe is the most important thing. I’m not going to lose sleep over it.”
Members of Emerald Everton Supporters SC Ireland, meanwhile, experienced problems trying to land in Liverpool having boarded one of the rare flights to leave Dublin.
“Our members were on flight this morning from Dublin to Liverpool and it could not land and had to return to Dublin,” they wrote.
“Some members’ flights were from other airports around Ireland so we don’t know their situation yet. Unfortunately, some of our members will have also lost out on their hotels. But safety must always come first.”
A new date for the rescheduled game is not imminent, and there is an understanding it will be subject to how both clubs fare in cup competitions.
Liverpool have Champions League, Carabao Cup and FA Cup games to factor in over the forthcoming months, while Everton will play Peterborough United of the English third tier in the third round of the latter. How those matches go will determine how soon Goodison gets its derby farewell.
After 119 meetings between Everton and Liverpool at the stadium, the two clubs are locked on 41 wins apiece.
Saturday’s news means historic bragging rights will now be up for grabs in the New Year, most likely under the intense glare of the Goodison lights.
(Top photo: The weather at Goodison Park was grim on Friday and Saturday. Carl Recine/Getty Images)
