Friday 31 July 2015

Blues reveal marvel-ous third kit

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Everton Football Club

Everton and Umbro have revealed the Club’s third kit for the 2015/16 season with the help of a Marvel illustrator.

Umbro and the Blues have commissioned artist and Evertonian Will Sliney to create comic book drawings of the players wearing the new third kit, which will see the team sport a green outfield strip for the first time in the Club’s history.

The kit comprises of a green crew-neck shirt with the club crest and Chang logo in a contrasting, striking orange, with black shorts and green socks.

Will has created a bespoke piece of art to showcase the strip featuring Ross Barkley, Leighton Baines, Tom Cleverley, Gerard Deulofeu, Romelu Lukaku and Blues’ boss Roberto Martinez.

Cork-based Will commented: “I've been drawing Everton players as well as comic book superheroes for as long as I can remember. There was always a Duncan Ferguson or a Tony Cottee on the fridge next to Spiderman and Wolverine, so to be invited to be part of this new kit launch is a great honour for me.”

The third strip will be worn for the first time on Saturday August 15 when Everton face Southampton at St Mary’s in the Barclays Premier League. The lightweight third shirt features shaped mesh underarm panels for optimum fit, movement and comfort. And the crew neck rib collar offers a contemporary look and the textured appliqué club crest and Umbro double diamond completes the smart appearance of the shirt.

The reverse of the third shirt, like the home and away, carries an 'NSNO' insignia on the back neck area, a reference to the Club’s famous ‘Nil Satis Nisi Optimum’ motto.

The 2015/16 third kit goes on sale on Wednesday August 26, both in-store and online and is available for men, women, juniors, infants and babies.

To pre-order the 2015/16 Everton third kit, visit www.evertondirect.com from 08.00 on Monday August 3 or Everton One or Everton Two during store opening hours.

This season, Everton and retail partner Kitbag have rolled out a new Click and Collect service that offers a more convenient collection method for supporters who order merchandise online.

As well as still being able to collect their purchases from either of the two Everton stores, supporters are now able to pick up their parcels from any of the 5,000 Hermes Click and Collection partner sites throughout the UK. For more information about the Click and Collect service, visit www.evertondirect.com.

Monday 20 July 2015

Rooney to appear in his Dunc's testimonial

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Everton Football Club

Duncan Ferguson has described his feelings of genuine gratitude and personal delight that Wayne Rooney has agreed to appear in his testimonial game against Villarreal on Sunday August 2 at Goodison Park.

The showpiece occasion for one of Everton’s biggest heroes could yet see Big Dunc pulling on the shirt and making one final emotional appearance as a Toffee, and now it will see Rooney pay his own tribute to the man he has always acknowledged as "a big hero of mine".

The England captain and Everton Academy graduate played 67 times and scored 15 goals for the club, and the opportunity to honour both the man and the occasion by playing in Ferguson's testimonial game proved irresistible.

“As a young lad growing up in Croxteth, Duncan Ferguson was a hero of mine, as a young player at the Club he was an inspiration and when I broke into the first team he helped and looked after me," Rooney revealed.

"I cannot think of a better way to thank Dunc for all he did for me than turning out in his fully deserved testimonial match.

"Had he not asked me to play I would have gone and supported him on the day as I am sure most other Evertonians will."

For Ferguson, the gesture by his former team-mate to add his name to the team sheet for what is certain to be a memorable and impassioned afternoon has genuinely touched him and perhaps persuaded him even more to pull on the shirt himself one last time.

“I'm absolutely delighted that the wee man has agreed to play in the game," he said.

"Everybody knows that we go way back. I knew him as a kid, he's a top man and I'm proud as his friend that he's fulfilled the potential we always knew was there.

"Wayne's a world-class player and I'm genuinely thrilled that he will play on the day, just as I'm so grateful to the Club for putting on this game."

The playing of Villarreal has an added dimension, too, with Ferguson having what appeared to be a fair goal controversially disallowed by referee Pierluigi Collina when Everton trailed Villarreal 3-2 on aggregate in the dying moments of a Champions League qualifying game in 2004/05.

Everton's hopes of playing in the group stages were dashed in an instant and Ferguson retired as a player at the end of that season.

Tickets are now on sale for Duncan Ferguson’s Testimonial on Sunday August 2 at Goodison Park against Villarreal, with kick-off at 15.00.

Tuesday 14 July 2015

Everton reveal 2015/16 away kit

Ross Barkley sporting
the new away kit.
Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Everton Football Club

Everton have revealed the new away kit for the 2015/16 season, which the team will wear for the first time on Saturday July 18 in the Barclays Asia Trophy in Singapore.

The new kit, designed by Umbro, comprises of a white crew-neck shirt with grey detailing, black shorts and white socks.

The reverse of the away shirt, like the home shirt, carries an 'NSNO' insignia on the back of the neck area, a reference to the Club’s ‘Nil Satis Nisi Optimum’ motto.

The new lightweight away shirt is predominantly white with eye-catching grey graphic detailing on the sleeves and side panel areas. It is constructed using highly technical performance materials, including a lightweight textured mesh on the back of the shirt for maximum ventilation. Shaped mesh underarm panels offer maximum fit and movement.

The black shorts feature contrast grey panelling for an eye-catching look, together with a mesh back panel for comfort, movement, and breathability. Double welt socks in white with a grey hoop and trim complete the strip.

The new away kit is available to pre-order from evertondirect.com and Everton One and Everton Two from today, July 14, and will go on sale on Wednesday July 29, both in-store and online. The kit is available in the full range of sizes for men, women, juniors, infants and babies.

Romelu Lukaku modelling
the new away kit.
Speaking about the 2015/16 away kit, club record signing Romelu Lukaku commented: “The new away kit looks great. It's fresh and smart and we are looking forward to wearing it in Singapore for the Barclays Asia Cup, as well as in the upcoming season.”

This season, Everton and retail partner Kitbag have rolled out a new Click and Collect service that offers a more convenient collection method for supporters who order merchandise online.

As well as still being able to collect their purchases from either of the two Everton stores, supporters are now able to pick up their parcels from any of the 5,000 Hermes Click and Collection partner sites throughout the UK. For more information about the Click and Collect service, visit www.evertondirect.com.

More information on the 2015/16 Everton away kit available at www.evertonfc.com/born. To pre-order the new kit visit evertondirect.com, Everton One or Everton Two.

Wednesday 1 July 2015

Gerard Deulofeu: The Everton fans drew me back

Gerard Deulofeu (Image Source:
Everton Football Club)
Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Everton Football Club

Gerard Deulofeu has revealed that his strong affinity with Everton’s fans was a key factor behind his decision to return to Goodison Park.

The Spaniard has officially rejoined the Toffees on a three-year deal, following last week’s announcement that a €6million agreement had been struck with Barcelona.

Deulofeu fondly remembers how the Club’s supporters backed him when he was on loan in 2013/14.

The winger also explained how, prior to completing his transfer, he was inundated with messages from excited Evertonians keen to hear more news about his impending move back to Merseyside.

“I had a great year when I was here last,” the winger said in an exclusive interview to evertontv. “I really enjoyed my time here. I felt loved by the Evertonians and I was surrounded by really good teammates. I’m very happy to be back.

“The fans here are great and I felt really supported by them. Obviously I went back to Barcelona and then Sevilla but here, the fans live for their football.

“The Everton fans have been sending me messages all the time on social media, on Instagram and Twitter, asking me questions. If I have got 50 notifications on Twitter, 40 of them will be from Everton fans asking what is going on!

“Both myself and my girlfriend feel very supported by the fans and I just hope this year I can work really hard and give them back some of the happiness that they deserve.”

Deulofeu has disclosed that he was the subject of interest from several clubs, but he only had one intention.

“Of course there were other options, but I always said right from the start that I wanted to come back to Everton, and you can ask my agent and he will say the same,” he added.

“This is where I feel happy, this is where I feel like I am loved by the fans. The fans support me; they always send me messages, so this was where I wanted to come back to.”

You can watch the interview by clicking the link to the right.