Moyes wants Everton focus for emotional Goodison goodbye

Everton manager David Moyes has told his players to keep clear heads on a day when emotions will run high as they look to sign off in style from Goodison Park.

On Sunday, the Toffees will play against Southampton in the final senior men's game at the ground which has been home to the team for 133 years.

From next season Moyes' side will play at their new 52,888-capacity stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock on the banks of the River Mersey.

This weekend will not mark a farewell to Goodison entirely, as the club announced the ground will get a new lease of life as home to Everton's women's side.

There is nevertheless likely to be a party atmosphere for the Premier League fixture.

"I think all Evertonians have been sort of waiting for this moment for a long time, because the something that everyone has been looking forward to is the new stadium," Moyes told a news conference.

"It will be a sad day, I think it will be an emotional day for a lot of people.

"I've got to keep the players focused on the game and try to do the best we can in the game."

Moyes returned to Everton in January for his second spell in charge, after more than a decade at the helm between 2002 and 2013.

The 62-year-old Scot said it was an honour for him to be in the dugout for what will be the Goodison finale for their men's team.

"There are a lot of people who are probably wiser and a bit more knowledgeable about Everton and about Goodison than I am, but we've had a lot of talk about it just now, great history, great stories," he said.

"Obviously there have been great managers and players who have all performed here. I'm just the one that's going to shut the door on the way out, certainly on the way out for the men. We're looking forward to the ladies joining us.

"It will be sad when it goes, but we're moving into something which we think will give us a bigger and better future."

Moyes acknowledged that club captain Seamus Coleman, 36, will be part of that future at Bramley-Moore Dock.

The experienced Republic of Ireland full-back, who has made more than 400 appearances for the club having been signed by Moyes from Sligo Rovers in 2009, is out of contract this summer but is set to remain with the Blues.

Moyes said: "Seamus will stay next season. Without doubt Seamus will be part of the group. I need him here.

"His leadership, his sort of message he has among the players and in the dressing room is so strong it would be wrong of me to let him go."