Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has been explaining his reasons for coming to Everton and his ambitions while at the club
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has insisted that the size and passion of the Everton fanbase “is on a different level” as he outlined his determination to bring the glory days back to the club.
The 27-year-old won the FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA Conference League during his solitary season at Chelsea, but he insists that the feeling among Blues supporters is something else.
Speaking on the 24/7 series on the club’s website, Dewsbury-Hall was asked what is different about Everton and he said: “The feeling of the club. It feels like a real family club, I don’t really know how to explain it really.
“The fanbase is so big and it means so much to the people, which I love because football’s my life and it feels like it’s their life as well. We’re sort of on the same page.
“I see how passionate they are and how much they want to win, and it just resonates with me because that’s how I live my life. I’m not saying that the other clubs weren’t like that, but I just feel like Everton’s on a different level.
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“I was speaking with someone the other day and I said: ‘Imagine playing for Everton when you’re pushing for things and trying to win things?’
“It must be like one of the best places to play. So, that’s what I want to get to because that would be an amazing feeling because you see how got they (the fans) are even in the tough times, but imagine when it’s going a bit better.”
Dewsbury-Hall was on manager David Moyes’ radar when the Scot first returned to the club in January but he’s adamant he made the right choice after making his £25million switch in August. He said: “I did have a fair few options after a successful season. After speaking to many people, family members, people I trust, and speaking to people at Everton, if I was going to leave a club like Chelsea, it was everything I wanted to go to: a new project; a new stadium; an exciting future; plans.
“That’s something I wanted to be at the forefront of. If I’m at the start of this new chapter, I think that’s a very important part of a club’s history.
“I spoke to the manager, he was fantastic. He explained exactly what he wanted from me and what he wants going in the future. I respect him a load because I appreciate what he’s done. I think he’s the same as me.
“So, it just felt right. Ever since I’ve come through the door, I know it’s the right decision because of the way I’ve been treated, the way my family has been treated, everything has just been first class.
“It’s nice that’s happened because it’s made me realise I definitely made the right decision and it makes me excited about what we can do in the future. It makes me excited just to come in every day and keep improving and see what happens.”
The former Leicester City academy graduate, who cleaned N’Golo Kante’s boots during the Foxes’ shock 5,000/1 title-winning season in 2015/16, added: “The one thing you want in life is a purpose to do something. I feel like I’ve got that here.
“It’s been a couple of tougher years for the club. But it does genuinely feel like more people are aiming towards it being a successful future.
“The fact that I’ve got a big opportunity to make an impact in that is just something that I couldn’t turn down. It suits my ambition, I’m not the sort of player who could have just stayed at my previous club and gone through the motions.
“I wasn’t willing to do that because that’s not in my DNA. I want to be a big part of something and this is the perfect project and if we do the right things I definitely think it can be an exciting couple of years going forward.”
Away from his day job, the Nottingham-born player revealed that snooker, golf and darts are among his other sporting interests, but he also has another passion that would chime with Everton’s late chairman Bill Kenwright if not necessarily many of his fellow professional footballers, musical theatre. Dewsbury-Hall said: “That’s probably my ‘guilty pleasure’ as you call it. I’m an absolute sucker for a musical and a West End show.
“My better half used to go to performing arts college, so I used to go and watch her. My mum and auntie used dance when I was a young kid, so I used to watch them, so it probably started from there.”
Asked if he’d ever dabbled in acting himself, he replied: “Maybe when I retire? I might give it a go. There’s something about it, even when I’m just watching it, I get quite excited. Never say never!”
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