David Moyes and the team enter the game not only wanting to win due to the occasion, but also to ensure Everton finishes the league in the highest possible position. Whilst the central theme of the day will be saying goodbye to L4, it may also be the final time Seamus Coleman appears in front of the home fans.
For Coleman, he will, as he always has, put the team first. However, nothing would be more fitting than to see the final walkout from the tunnel, with Z Cars blaring around the stadium, with the club captain walking out with the team. If anyone playing needs any extra motivation, following the current longest-serving player in the league out onto the pitch should add that extra inspiration.
Signed for £60,000 from Sligo Rovers in 2009, Coleman’s value to the club after over 16 years of service is immeasurable.
His first appearance at Goodison Park produced a man-of-the-match performance. Substituted on, he led a comeback from two goals down to draw the game, also providing his first assist in royal blue.
In his early playing career, the Ireland international was a marauding right-back, with toughness, humility, and a tireless work ethic, which earned the Goodison faithful’s admiration. Those qualities are often the bare minimum that are expected of a player who plays for this club. Coleman has never appeared to take those values for granted.
Under the guidance of David Moyes and briefly Roberto Martinez, Coleman became one of the finest right-backs in the league. Scoring six goals in his first season back after his loan spell with Blackpool, followed in 2013/14 by his highest scoring season for the Blues with seven.
Memorable moments in his playing career have often taken place at Goodison Park. A diving header at the Gwladys Street end provided his first goal at Goodison, to give Everton victory over Tottenham. A stunning strike against Southampton in the 13/14 season showcased his ability to produce moments of quality.
The last goal so far of his Everton career may have been his best, again at the Glwadys. A Roberto Carlos-like effort earned a 1-0 win against Leeds, with those points vital in ensuring Everton’s safety come the end of that season.
Away from his performance on the field, much has been said about the person that Seamus Coleman is. Quoting the late chairman Bill Kenwright, “Seamus is an Evertonian, a leader – but even more importantly, he is a sincere and genuine man."
In today’s footballing world, where the word loyalty is often questioned, with our right-back, there is no doubt. The current longest-serving player at a club in the Premier League, his loyalty has remained with the club; when interest came, it was swiftly rejected.
Captaining the club through some of its darkest days and ensuring Everton made it through to fight another day. This past season even saw him take to the dugout after Sean Dyche’s exit. A Goodison moment that saw the full-back partnership with Leighton Baines return, this time as coaches, resulting in the final FA Cup victory at Goodison.
On what we hope will be a glorious day of celebrations at Goodison Park, it feels only right that Seamus Coleman is given the opportunity to lead the team out and see out its final game.
In a recent interview with Royal Blue: Everton FC, Seamus Coleman has been open about the toll the last few seasons of uncertainty have taken. Seamus says, “I put a lot into what I do, physically and emotionally. As an Everton player over the last few years, in many ways it’s not just been playing pressure, it’s been trying to always galvanize people.”
One thing is for certain: as Goodison Park closes its doors to the men’s senior team, under Coleman’s captaincy, Everton will enter its new dawn as a Premier League team. Whether he retires or not, he will remain a part of the fabric of the club that so many fans identify with. For myself at least, the hope is that we get one last memorable Seamus Coleman moment at Goodison Park ... in its final farewell.