Former Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard has paid tribute to his former team-mate Seamus Coleman after the announcement that the club captain is to end his playing career with the Blues
Tim Howard and Seamas Coleman line up alongside each other for Everton in 2013
Tim Howard and Seamas Coleman line up alongside each other for Everton in 2013
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An emotional Tim Howard has paid a heartfelt tribute to his former team-mate Seamus Coleman after it was announced that the Everton captain’s playing career with the club is coming to an end.
The Blues announced on Friday that Coleman was calling time on his playing career with them – although it is not a retirement at this stage – and the 37-year-old said: “After more than 17 years at this great football club, I’ve decided this season will be my last as a player here.
“I want to thank the fans for their unbelievable support. You’ve helped me in more ways than you could imagine.
“I've always tried my best to put Everton Football Club first and you all mean the world to me. I live in the city – I see you all daily – and I’ve taken your love of the football club back into the dressing room to explain to the lads how much Everton means to the people.
“I also thank my managers, teammates and all the staff at Everton. They’ve seen me happy, sad, angry, emotional, but the greater cause has always been Everton Football Club.
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“Thank you for making me a better captain and teammate. It’s an incredible football club with incredible people.
“Obviously, after such a big decision, I want to have some time over the summer to focus on what’s next for me and my family. My love for Everton is something you all know about – and I’ve got a huge love for Ireland as well.
“The club have been unbelievable with me. They’ve offered me an opportunity to stay on at the football club. The manager and staff have been great, and I think with it being such an important decision over my future, I’m going to take a nice, long holiday and look back on what has been an amazing time as an Everton footballer.”
Coleman is currently locked in a three-way tie on 433 appearances for Everton with his former team-mate Leon Osman and the legendary Dixie Dean, the club’s all-time leading scorer (on 383 goals, a record for a single English team), and if he turns out for the Blues again, he will knock the pair out of the top-10 for games played.
Although Howard (414) has played more games for Everton than any other player from outside the British Isles, Coleman overhauled his Blues record of 354 Premier League appearances (the man from Killybegs, County Donegal is now on 372) when he appeared in a 0-0 draw against Aston Villa at Goodison Park on January 14, 2024. Hailing his old colleague, Howard, 47, who also played 121 times in goal for the USA national team, said: “Seamus Coleman, is it really the end? Tim Howard here, Seamie.
“I love you. I absolutely love and adore you.
“I can’t believe all those years ago, you walked through those doors, just a little boy, and you turned into a giant. A giant of a man, of a leader, a proper Evertonian who led our football club to some wonderful heights.
“It was a pleasure and an honour to be your team-mate, to share that blue shirt with you. Your family is incredible, you are incredible.
“I cherish those times we had together. Whatever happens next, I wish you all the best and just know that you are forever, forever, forever be a legend at Everton.”