Everton and ‘phenomenal’ Seamus Coleman hailed by Jermaine Beckford
Jermaine Beckford only starred for Everton for one season but he still considers Goodison Park as one of his footballing homes.
The 38-year-old, who won six caps for Jamaica throughout his career, scored 10 goals for the Toffees during the 2010/11 season having been released by Leeds United the previous summer.
He then made two further appearances in 2011/12 before leaving Merseyside for Leicester City in the Championship but he has nothing but good things to say about Everton.
“I still call it my home. That’s what it means to me,” he said to the club’s official website. “Walking out onto the pitch and listening to the fans.
“And when I scored my first Premier League goal there against Bolton I almost did a full lap, I was so excited. It’s just magical and that’s why Everton is such a fantastic football club.”
Seamus (Coleman) had the right energy, personality and mentality. He was still quite withdrawn and within himself, but he’d talk to Phil Neville and Tony Hibbert on a daily basis about positioning and awareness and he’d pick up snippets of information.
“He’s done a phenomenal job for Everton and he’s still so grounded, he’s a lovely, lovely guy. I’m so proud of him.”
Icon
What Beckford says about Coleman is only the tip of the iceberg in terms of how big he has been for the club for such a long period of time.
The value for money is obvious having only paid £60,000 and to get so many years out of him at the very highest level of competition is hugely admirable.
Beckford was never going to reach those heights but nor did he try. What you could guarantee from him was a striker who could create his own chances and finish the majority that came his way.
He couldn’t quite make the Premier League work for him but there are fewer Championship and League One strikers in history to be as prolific and frightening for defenders as he was.
That kind of killer instinct is what Frank Lampard needs in his ranks right now to keep his side moving up the Premier League table rather than looking over their shoulders at the dreaded drop zone.