In the second of his series of interviews with some of the unsung heroes who work behind the scenes at Goodison Park, Joe Thomas speaks to Everton tours and commercial events manager Elle Barnes-Reen
Elle Barnes-Reen cried on the final home game of last season. So how she is going to cope with the real last game of Goodison Park remains a source of anticipation.
“Everybody says it is a home from home,” the tours and commercial events manager joked – before adding in earnest: “But I spend more time here than I do at home, so it is definitely home.”
The tears flowed after Everton finished their home campaign with a win over Sheffield United on a day when Blades boss Chris Wilder offered his own touching comments on what the Grand Old Lady meant to football. The sun had shone that May afternoon for the last of a stunning five-game winning streak that also saw Liverpool demolished on a heady night under the lights.
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Elle continued: “The emotion hit at the end of last season, knowing there were three teams that would never come back here again. I think you will have to throw me out of this place after that last game. The emotion will hit at some point but at the moment it is exciting, making sure we do Goodison justice.”
That is more than a job to Elle, whose connection with the famous stadium is long and personal. It extends beyond the first game she remembers attending – a 1-0 home win over Arsenal in 2006, courtesy of a James Beattie goal.
Her family has worked at Goodison for years, including nan Lily Barnes. A powerhouse of a character responsible for thousands of precious memories, Lily ended her career overseeing the Goodison tours that have exploded in popularity as the countdown to the club’s waterfront move gathered pace.
In a sport that creates superstars, Lily became one of the most recognisable faces in this part of L4 – Elle recalling it took longer walking down Goodison Road with her nan than most ex-players on a matchday as supporters stopped to say hello.
Lily’s passion was Goodison. It has long been Elle’s as well, but trying to do her nan proud following her death last year, aged 79, is another source of inspiration for this year.
The ambition is to open Goodison to as many as possible, in as many ways as possible.
Elle explained: “It is about celebrating Everton’s history but also celebrating the history of Goodison Park stadium and everything we have done here – from World Cup games to baseball games, there is so much more than just Everton.
“It is making sure people can come here and make those Instagrammable moments or those memories they want to make with their children or grandchildren and offering different experiences. We want to do quality over quantity so they are special, and in terms of the tours we want to open areas of the stadium that have not been accessible before. We want to open up the gates to everybody, you don’t have to be an Evertonian to get down here and celebrate Goodison Park.”
That is a big part of the mission this year – to show, more than ever, how Goodison is such a pivotal part of Liverpool, Merseyside and world football.
Demand for the stadium tours is insatiable. When Elle started at Goodison 12 years ago they were held three days a week. Now it’s seven. And football shirts from across the globe are a feature of the trips.
Elle said: “As a football club we have always been proud of our fanbase. We also want to make sure the doors are open for visitors to the city who are not interested in football or Everton and they can come and see part of the fabric of the city.
“Yes it is Everton and, colours aside, it is the start of Liverpool as well, so there is that rivalry past that white line on the pitch but we talk about Liverpool Football Club, our connections with Tranmere Rovers, it is the local connections and the area that has invested in the history of Goodison Park. As a stadium, as part of the culture and character of an area that people are so proud of as a footballing city. It is more than a football club and it is more than a stadium and I want other people to realise that.”
This season has already seen a host of special events, including Halloween night tours, as part of efforts to make the most of one last season. More will follow.
Elle, whose favourite spot at the ground she knows like the back of her hand is a quiet moment sat in the top balcony, takes huge pride seeing visitors make new final memories at her true home.
She is also hoping the Blues can create more special memories on the pitch in this farewell campaign.
Elle is unable to influence what takes place from kick-off to the final whistle. But Goodison is in safe hands for the rest of its final act. “It has been the majority of my life”, she reflected. “If I haven’t been working here I have been coming to games here, it has such a connection with my family and I have my friends here.
“It felt unbelievable that I would ever work here, it started as a kid, growing up around everyone. A lot of people who are still here now have seen me grow up and I have seen them develop their own careers and roles so to be part of the finale of Goodison… I think it would make my nan proud.
“Everyone makes memories with their nan but to have been able to work here alongside her and in such a passionate way, that will be a key drive. It has been my whole life. Honestly, I feel so honoured. I don’t take any day I work here for granted and certainly not this opportunity.”
