Wayne Rooney gets stick from Toffees as great and good say goodbye to Goodison

Fans and former players bid an emotional farewell to Goodison Park but former Toffees striker Wayne Rooney could not escape being the butt of typical Scouse humour.

With a long list of club greats paraded on the pitch following the 2-0 victory over Southampton to bring to an end 133 years of men’s football at the ground Rooney found his Manchester United connections scrutinised – and not in a good way.

As the former England international tried to answer a gentle question about his feelings on the day the ground, still almost at capacity, broke out in a chant of “Oh Manchester, is full of s**t”.

Having allowed it to subside Rooney, who made his debut as a 16-year-old in 2002, responded: “I am am a f*****g Scouser, by the way.

“I grew up a young boy loving the football club. I know we have had ups and downs, but it is very emotional being here today.”

Tens of thousands had packed the terraced streets around the ground hours before kick-off armed with smoke canisters and assorted pyrotechnics and such was the concentration the planned team coach welcome had to be abandoned.

There was a party atmosphere inside, with the volume at kick-off and final whistle as loud as it has ever been.

That continued in the post-match celebrations as the great and the good of the club’s history were joined by the current squad on the pitch to share their memories.

While it was a day of sadness for some, with tears being shed for the Grand Old Lady by numerous fans in the stands, former striker Andy Gray summed it up when he said: “We may be leaving Goodison but Goodison will never leave us.”

Tim Cahill, one of manager David Moyes’ key players in his first spell, spoke for many who have passed through the stadium’s doors by saying: “Being part of the Everton family is something I grew into.

The Australian, who could be seen waving a Goodison corner flag he was given to commemorate his famous punchbag celebration, added: “It will be part of me forever and it gave me some of the best moments of my life. So thank you Everton.”

Cahill’s former team-mate Leighton Baines, perhaps understandably now he is on Moyes’ coaching staff, was looking forward to the future.

“To play for these fans in this stadium will live with me forever. It’s the end of an era but the start of a new one which we should all be excited about,” he said.