Donovan sings praises of ‘magical’ Everton stadium Goodison Park
Former Everton forward Landon Donovan has waxed lyrical about Goodison Park, describing the stadium as “magical”.
The 39-year old American, now owner-manager of San Diego Loyal, spent two separate loan spells on Merseyside from parent LA Galaxy.
Donovan moved to Everton on a short-term loan deal in January 2010 between the end of the 2009 MLS season and the beginning of the 2010 season, quickly becoming a fan favourite. He returned to Goodison Park in a similar move in January 2012.
Since leaving Everton, Donovan has consistently sung the praises of the club, of which he now considers himself to be a fan of.
Speaking to The Liverpool Echo, Donovan highlighted how special Goodison Park is, claiming to have never been to another stadium like it.
Donovan said: “Look, I’ve played in hundreds of stadiums throughout the world and there’s nowhere like Goodison – not even close.
“It’s hard to explain unless you’ve been there. People might read something about it or see it on TV but it’s not the same. There’s something magical about it, especially under the lights at Goodison.
“I could feel the history from when I first walked into the stadium but it’s the supporters themselves who make it special. I’d never experienced anything like that in my life.”
Nothing quite like Goodison
When Everton do finally bid farewell to their ancestral home it’s going to be an emotional day, that’s for sure.
The Toffees have played at Goodison Park since 1892, and though we need modernisation through the Bramley Moore Dock stadium that is set to be built over the next few years, it’ll never feel quite like home.
West Ham suffered a similar problem when they left Upton Park for the London Stadium, and no matter how much work Everton put into ensuring that we don’t repeat West Ham’s errors, there is just so much history seeped into the walls at Goodison that won’t carry over.
We love Goodison Park, not in spite of its quirks but because of them, and it’s easy to see why someone like Donovan would fall in love with them too.
Everton fans will carry their heart and spirit over to the new ground, but it’ll never quite be the same.
In other Everton news, Belgium boss Roberto Martinez has dubbed his former employers Everton a ‘very special club.’