Everton Magazine - October 2016

There are so many facets of Everton FC that make us all so very proud to be Blue. Our magnificent history, the work we do in the local community, the way we embrace our global fanbase and, of course, the players who wear the royal blue jersey with as much pride as we would do… This month’s Everton magazine captures all that.

The meeting between Tommy Wright and Joe Royle at Goodison Park was just a pleasure to be a part of. Two genuine Club legends with a friendship going back more than 50 years got together in the home dressing room and thoroughly enjoyed reminiscing about the good old days.

Tommy doesn’t get to Goodison much these days so it was brilliant to see him, and not a more humble man could you ever wish to meet. If I’d won the league and FA Cup with Everton and played for England against Brazil in the World Cup, everyone would know about it! He was charming company, as was Joe Royle – but isn’t he always.

Phil Jagielka, Seamus Coleman and Gerard Deulofeu were more than happy to stay behind at Goodison Park after the official team-photo shoot to join staff, volunteers and participants from the various Everton in the Community initiatives. As the skipper confirms this month, they are all in awe of the work that goes on to help people across the region and beyond.

And we also feature a beautiful, if rather unlikely, friendship between an Everton in the Community participant and the irrepressible John Bailey!

Of course, there's also a whole host of features and exclusives from the likes of cover star Idrissa Gana Gueye, Romelu Lukaku and Yannick Bolasie meeting Thierry Henry, Ronald Koeman and Leighton Baines. All that plus some fascinating insight from Fran Alonso, part of the manager's backroom staff.

Enjoy this month’s magazine and please keep your feedback coming to me at darren.griffiths@evertonfc.com.

Darren Griffiths, Editor