Wayne Rooney was one of a number of Everton legends invited to join the ‘End of an Era’ ceremony as the Toffees bid farewell to Goodison Park, though he was the subject of mockery from fans
Wayne Rooney jokingly hit back at Everton fans after they interrupted an interview he was giving to mark the farewell to Goodison Park. Rooney was in attendance at the Toffees’ stadium for their final game at the ground.
They will move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock over the summer. Sunday marked the final game at Goodison before the move, with Everton easing to a 2-0 win over rock-bottom Southampton.
The club invited back some of their legendary players to mark the farewell before an event after the game. Rooney was one of those to return, with the 39-year-old having spent two spells with the Toffees after coming through their academy.
He infamously cut short his first spell to join Manchester United, where he would go on to win five Premier League titles, the FA Cup, the Europa League and the Champions League, as well as becoming their record goalscorer.
A fierce rivalry exists between the people of both Liverpool and Manchester. That was in full display during Everton’s ‘End of an Era’ ceremony on Sunday, with Rooney having a cheeky response.
READ MORE: Liverpool pay classy tribute to Everton for Goodison Park finale – ‘Stood with each other’READ MORE: Iliman Ndiaye shines on Everton’s emotional Goodison Park goodbye as a new era beckons
The former England star was being interviewed by Tony Bellew alongside Duncan Ferguson in front of the Gwladys Street stand. After Toffees supporters chanted the name of Ferguson, Bellew started his chat with Rooney.
Not long into the interview, the Everton fans began to chant “Manchester is full of s**t”, in reference to Rooney’s time at Old Trafford. Rooney was slightly taken aback by the chanting.
He responded in typical fashion and reminded fans of his roots, saying: “I am f*****g Scouser, by the way. I know we have had ups and downs, but it is very emotional being here today.”
Boss David Moyes was delighted to be able to give Goodison the perfect send off. Two goals from Iliman Ndiaye was enough to kick off the celebrations, with Moyes hailing the Toffees fans.
“Extraordinary atmosphere. The crowd were amazing, as it was outside before the game. We started the game pretty well and got in front. We played some good bits but not always. The job was to win the game today and see ourselves out at Goodison in a good light,” Moyes told BBC Sport.
“The support at Everton is immense. It’s needed some form of success. Today is a day they’ve been waiting on for so long, a new stadium coming. I never thought I’d be the one to do it [manage them in the new ground]. I’m really pleased.
“I’m honoured to be given that opportunity. We all see it as another chance. We need to start rebuilding Everton again. We’ve done the job [of staying up]. We have to try to build on that next year.
“If we can get an atmosphere like this in the new stadium it’ll give us every chance of winning games. I thought it was as if everyone had come together as one club. Today was everyone standing together.”
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