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'I followed in Nan's footsteps as Goodison guide'

Helen Wakefield & Lauren Hirst
BBC News
Everton Lily Barnes is photographed sitting in one of Goodison Park's stands and smiling at the camera. There are rows of blue seats all around her.Everton
Lifelong Everton fan Lily Barnes was a Goodison Park tour guide for 43 years

The granddaughter of a much-loved tour guide at Everton's Goodison Park stadium said she was very proud to keep her nan's legacy alive by following in her footsteps.

Lily Barnes, who worked for the Blues for 43 years, was described as "the face of Goodison Park" following her death in December 2023 at the age of 79.

Her granddaughter Elle Barnes-Reen first ed Everton on work experience before working her way up to become the club's tour and commercial events manager.

Ahead of Goodison Park's final men's first-team match on Sunday, Elle described what the club and its stadium, known as the Grand Old Lady, meant to her.

"Everton Football Club is pretty much my life," said Elle.

"My career has always been at Everton, so I think it's been a part of building who I am as a person."

Her grandmother Lily started working at Goodison Park in 1979 and spent 18 years giving tours of the Toffees' stadium.

Elle said she was only 16 when she had her own first taste of working there.

"I just fell in love with the place," she said. "I wanted to be more involved. I wanted to learn more."

Everton Elle Barnes-Reen is standing pitch side at Goodison Park with her right arm holding the corner flag. She is smiling directly at the camera Everton
Elle Barnes-Reen described her grandmother, Lily Barnes, as an "Everton legend" who was "proud to be a Blue"

Over the years, Lily shared her love for all things Blue with Elle.

Her enthusiasm was clearly infectious.

"My nan taught me everything that I know and seeing her deliver the best tours I could possibly imagine, learning the history and the facts from her - that was special to me," said Elle.

"When I took over the full tour, and she just had an eye-to-eye moment with me, no words spoken. But it was just a 'we've got there'."

The Blues will move to their new 53,000-seater arena at Bramley-Moore Dock this summer.

Earlier this week, it was announced that Goodison Park will become the home of Everton's women's team.

Elle said the last men's first-team fixture there on Sunday would be an emotional moment.

"This place is a museum of memories," she said. "Not just for me, but for everyone I've met along the journey.

"It's a sanctuary of where you just feel belonging and unity as a family."

PA Media Inside Goodison Park is the football pitch surrounded by a sea of blue seats. In white writing along the seats it reads "Everton" and "EFC".PA Media
Goodison Park was the first major purpose-built football stadium in England

Many Everton staff stay with the club for years.

Head groundsman Bob Lennon started in 1988.

"I've seen a few managers here," he said.

"Colin Harvey was one. He wanted the pitch cut short and well-watered before the game [while] Sean Dyche wanted it wheat-long and dry."

He ed a time when Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola "wanted it cut short" and had jokingly asked: "Have you got no petrol for your mowers":[]}