Seamus Coleman in esteemed company as Everton farewell ends in familiar tale
Seamus Coleman did not have the greatest of sends-offs at the weekend as he bowed out on home soil as an Everton player.
The long-serving defender came on late on and was at fault for Sunderland’s third goal in a 3-1 win for the Black Cats.
That was Coleman’s 434rd appearance for Everton and the last one at home – and likely the last one full stop unless he comes on against Tottenham Hotspur.
Thousands of fans exited the stadium after Sunderland sealed the win, making for a sad farewell for Coleman, who deserved so much more.
But Coleman, whose future after life at Everton is unclear, is in some pretty esteemed company who have had similar goodbyes.
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Seamus Coleman latest Everton great to bow out without a home win
David Moyes did the right thing in giving Coleman a few minutes at the end of the match, rather than starting him – or not using the full-back at all.
It may well be that Coleman joins Coventry City in the summer and is back at Hill Dickinson Stadium sooner than expected.
And the Republic of Ireland international should not be too downbeat about the manner of his final home outing.
As per EFC Statto via X, of the 10 players who have made the most appearances ever for Everton – Coleman being 10th on that list – only Brian Labone has won his final home match.
That is pretty remarkable all things considered, with Kevin Ratcliffe, Ted Sagar and Neville Southall – the man top of the list – the others to go out with defeat at home.
Where does Coleman rank among Everton’s all-time most appearances?
As mentioned above, Coleman is 10th on the list with 343 appearances for Everton in all competitions, 13 behind ninth-place Graeme Sharp.
Peter Farrell (453) and Jack Taylor (456) are eighth and seventh respectively, so Coleman could have finished even higher had he been used a little more this season.
That is the way it is, though, and Coleman can be more than proud of what he has given to Everton down the years.
With little to play for on the face off it this coming weekend, it may even be a wise token gesture to give the 37-year-old one final run-out for the Toffees.
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