BBC journalist opens up on ‘lowest point’ of ‘turbulent’ Everton 2022/23 season
BBC Radio Merseyside’s Giulia Bould has spoken out after being granted behind-the-scenes access at Everton last season.
The journalist touched on various moments throughout the “turbulent” 2022/23 season at the Premier League outfit.
She highlighted one moment in particular in January 2023 when the club’s board of directors were advised to stay away from a clash with Southampton due to safety concerns.
Describing the “lowest point” in the series, Bould told BBC Sport: “There was a moment in training ahead of the Southampton game, which became a story in itself because of the board statement that came out.
“It was awful weather in January and Frank Lampard was sat on a football in the rain. I asked if he was all right and he just said, ‘yeah’. You could see people feeling sorry for him.”
Disastrous campaign
It really was a disastrous campaign for Everton in several ways, with the Toffees having been constantly associated with negative stories, both on and off the pitch.
Off the pitch, the board were enduring a difficult time, with their safety fears very real given the frustration from supporters.
And things were very similar on the pitch, with the Merseyside club failing to pick up points as they headed for the dreaded drop to the Championship.
They did, of course, manage to stay in the top flight once again, with Sean Dyche guiding the club to safety after his appointment at the end of January.
One goal from midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure was enough to secure survival on the final day of the season in a home meeting with Bournemouth.
The situation has somewhat improved at Goodison Park, with some optimism in the air amid the impending takeover of the club by American investment firm 777 Partners.
In other Everton news, a Toffees star has sent a one-word message to Eden Hazard after he announced his retirement from football.