Goodison Park will host the final game of its 133-year tenure as the home of Everton when the club host Southampton on Sunday, May 18.
The match had been pencilled in as a 2pm kick-off, although Sunday matches are always subject to change as broadcasters make their weekend selections.
And, on Thursday, TNT Sports confirmed they had elected to broadcast the Premier League match and, as a consequence, the kick-off time would change.
So, in a massive blow to both sets of attending supporters, the match will now kick-off at 12pm.
Everton fans immeditely poured onto social media to complain that the early kick-off would dampen the send-off of a ground which has hosted the most top-flight games in English football.
Southampton supporters were equally vexed that they were being asked to begin a 250-mile, four hour trip at such an early hour.
Everton will play at Goodison Park for the last time in May 18’s league clash with Southampton
David Moyes has performed wonders since returning as Everton manager back in January
The Toffees’ new ground will hold almost 53,000 fans when operating at full capacity
One Everton fan posted on X: ‘Straight in no soaking up atmosphere pre game. No information on anything post game. This is turning into a non event. If it’s a few old players coming on what a bore that will be.’
While a second Toffees supported added: ‘Pathetic time slot, everybody knows how s**** the atmosphere is for early kickoffs, never mind the Southampton fans having to travel, absolutely pathetic for everybody who it matters most to, the fans.’
David Moyes’ side will move to the Everton Stadium on Bramley-Moore Dock, which will become the eighth-largest ground in England and be one of the host stadia for Euro 2028.
The new stadium’s capacity will be 52,888, up from Goodison’s 39,572.
The final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park was a dramatic affair at a crucial point in the season for both sides. Title chasing Liverpool came from behind to lead 2-1 before James Tarkowski scored a brilliant last-minute winner in front of the Gwladys Street end.
A player from each side was sent off — Everton’s Abdoulaye Doucoure and Liverpool’s Curtis Jones — in fiery scenes at the end of the match as Moyes continued to steer Everton away from the relegation zone.
With Everton now safe from the drop, the final hurrah against Southampton is looking like it will carry considerably less jeopardy.
The Everton defender takes the acclaim from the supporters after his last-gasp equaliser
Everton will move into their new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium for the next campaign
The Saints have received the maximum allocation of 2,976 tickets for a match which will be a dead rubber for the south coast side with their relegation from the Premier League confirmed.
Their supporters may have cause to believe in a little late-season cheer however as Southampton have already secured a win over Everton at Goodison Park this season, beating the Toffees in the Carabao Cup via penalties.
They also beat Everton at 1-0 home in November, a game which remains their only home league win this season.
