Everton To Face Sligo Rovers In Pre-Season Opener

Everton will begin their pre-season fixture schedule with an away friendly against Irish side Sligo Rovers ­­– the former club of much-loved Blues captain and one of the Toffees’ greatest-ever servants, Seamus Coleman.

Sean Dyche’s Men’s Senior Team will face the League of Ireland Premier Division side on Friday 19 July (4pm BST) at The Showgrounds stadium in Sligo.

The clash will further strengthen the close bond between Everton and Sligo Rovers which dates back to the 1930s when Club legend Dixie Dean signed for the Irish team in 1939, two years after leaving Goodison Park.

The relationship has continued to develop over the years, with Sligo chairman Tommy Higgins playing a key role in the strategic partnership between the two clubs announced in January 2021, working on initiatives ranging from fan engagement, marketing and joint football camps.

That has included reciprocal visits for staff and players of the two clubs, as well as matches between various Academy and Women's teams. Back in 2017, a group of 23 Everton Supporters' Club members also cycled nearly 230 miles from Sligo Rovers' stadium to Goodison Park to raise £60,000 for the Blues' Home Is Where The Heart Is campaign, which helps young people who face, or risk facing, homelessness.

The upcoming friendly, which sold out in less than a day, will also honour fans’ favourite Coleman, who joined the Blues from Sligo in January 2009 for a famed fee of £60,000.

After recently signing a new one-year contract to extend his time at Everton into a 16^th season, Coleman has etched his name into the Club’s record books following years of top-class service and passion for wearing the royal blue jersey.

The Republic of Ireland international holds the Everton record for most Premier League appearances (364), while his 422 matches in all competitions has the defender 13^th on the Club’s all-time list, 11 behind Dixie Dean and Leon Osman in joint 10^th.

On the Blues’ match against Sligo, Coleman said: “It will be a huge honour for me to return to Sligo Rovers with Everton for our opening pre-season friendly of the summer.

“Sligo is a club I obviously hold close to my heart, with them putting their faith in me as a young player which eventually led to my move to Everton.

“I still have many friends at Sligo and it’s been great to see the close bond between the two clubs strengthen over the years. Going back there after more than 15 special years as an Evertonian will mean a lot to my family and me.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing Sligo fans and Evertonians at The Showground on Friday 19 July.”

The Sligo friendly will form part of a training camp for Everton in the Republic of Ireland as they prepare for their Premier League opener against Brighton & Hove Albion at Goodison on Saturday 17 August (3pm BST). Information on fan events taking place in Ireland to mark the Blues’ trip will be announced in due course.

Everton’s pre-season schedule also sees Dyche’s squad travel to League Two side Salford City at the Peninsula Stadium on Saturday 27 July (3pm BST), before matches at Championship duo Coventry City (Tuesday 30 July, 7.45pm BST) and Preston North End (Saturday 3 August, 3pm BST).

Click here for ticket details for the Salford and Preston North End friendlies. Information about how all of Everton’s pre-season fixtures will be broadcast and streamed – including via evertonfc.com – will be announced in due course.

Confirmed Everton Men’s Senior Team pre-season fixtures (kick-off times BST)

Friday 19 July – Sligo Rovers, The Showgrounds (4pm)

Saturday 27 July – Salford City, Peninsula Stadium (3pm)

Tuesday 30 July – Coventry City, Coventry Building Society Arena (7.45pm)

Saturday 3 August – Preston North End, Deepdale (3pm)