Blues fans were in full voice on the long journey home from Sligo, putting aside the disappointment of the takeover collapse. The Spirit of the Blues resonated through the coaches on the last train back to Dublin, bringing Everton fans joy after a day of mixed feelings. Supporters made light of the three-hour cross-country ride back from Sligo by sharing memories of away days in between the songs that will keep Goodison Park jumping for one final season. Kevin Campbell’s name was constantly shouted as they paid tribute to the Blues legend after his terrible passing last month.
The atmosphere was diametrically opposed to the journeys that Everton fans had taken to northwest Ireland earlier that day. The feel-good spirit, built on what appeared to be a summer of persistent positive advances, was shattered when news surfaced of the failure of The Friedkin Group’s proposed takeover – considered as a much-needed path to stability. The news had a similar impact within the club, where the development had been making its way since Farhad Moshiri was notified of the decision on Thursday. Back on the train, as word spread that James Tarkowski had departed training camp early with what the club hopes is a minor glute injury, there was a sensation that it was not just raining, but pouring.
The frustration was alleviated upon arrival at Sligo, a picturesque town on the banks of the River Garvoge. The waterfront was lined with Royal Blue shirts and Everton banners as fans congregated ahead of kickoff, with the majority congregating at the Garavogue pub. At the stadium, a short walk from the train station, Sligo’s volunteer army was working hard to deal with one of the club’s most poignant moments in recent memory.
The community-run club was rightfully eager to capitalise on the return of one of their favourite sons, and there was a good trade in half-and-half scarves, pin badges, and Ireland flags featuring Seamus Coleman’s image, as well as a special edition programme, the proceeds of which will hopefully support operations at a club that was an excellent host.
The Bit O’Red supporters trust is running a campaign to raise the “60 grand” number Coleman was allegedly sold for. That money would be utilized to assist develop The Showgrounds, including a tribute to the defender. Coleman was, of course, the main attraction. The Everton coach dropped the players off on the far side of the pitch, forcing them to cross the grass to reach the dressing rooms beneath a packed Main Stand.
It was a lovely gesture for his teammates to stand aside and let Coleman walk alone, allowing him to get the first of many resounding ovations over the next few hours. The match that followed was end-to-end, and as Everton peppered the hosts’ goal only to be denied by wasteful finishing and goalkeeping heroics, minds in the away end will have flashed back to some of last season’s tougher moments, when dominant displays turned into defeats, owing in part to exceptional performances in goal.
Conor Walsh was just as good as Jose Sa and Bernd Leno in the first few weeks of last season. Youssef Chermiti’s promising 45 minutes were rewarded with the two late goals, which added to his earlier assist and injected hope back into the travelling supporters and the squad. Sean Dyche was unconcerned about the outcome since the players had 13.5km in their legs after Thursday’s double training session.
But when I spoke with him, he was thrilled for Chermiti and generally satisfied with the summer, though he, too, will be disappointed that his first set of Premier League press conferences will be dominated by the same off-the-pitch questions he has handled for more than 18 months. The players returned to their training facility just outside Dublin on Friday night and were scheduled to have a recuperation day on Saturday before returning to Merseyside, with Sunday off. Dyche has made it clear to the players that next week would be another tough one, with the players believing his dreaded Gaffer’s Day will occur on Tuesday.
