Everton have strengthened their strategic partnership with Sligo Rovers following two visits to Merseyside by the Irish club.
Blues captain and former Sligo defender Seamus Coleman was on hand last month to welcome the League of Ireland Premier Division club’s Under-14s to Finch Farm.
Pictured: Everton skipper Coleman with Sligo Under-13s and Everton Under-14s ahead of their match at Finch Farm on Friday February 25.
Sligo’s youngsters took part in a friendly with Everton’s Under-13 Academy team and attended the U18 game v Liverpool, before being guests of the Club for the Premier League game against Manchester City.
Sligo then rounded off a memorable trip by competing in a football festival on Sunday with Fleetwood, Morecambe, Preston, Blackpool and Oldham.
As part of the ongoing strategic partnership, formally announced in January 2021, the two clubs will exchange knowledge across both coaching and business operations, including cross-promotional activities ranging from fan engagement, marketing, content collaborations and tailored membership packages, to the development of joint football summer camps and the opportunity for pre-season training bases for Academy teams at both clubs.
And the latest link-up follows another recent visit by Sligo’s football management, including Chairman Tommy Higgins, Assistant Manager John Russell and Head of Academy Conor O’Grady, who travelled over as VIP guests for the Brentford FA Cup tie.
Conor said: “We’re really enjoying the partnership and it was great to finally get over to Everton.
“We’ve been having ongoing chats over the past year after Covid unfortunately stopped us travelling, but we managed to attend the Brentford game and we’ve more visits to come.
“As yet, we haven’t had the chance to do much in person, but it’s also been good to get in touch with all the other affiliated clubs around the world.
“Our U14s team have also been able to make the trip and there’s a lot of good stuff to come in the partnership. As a result, I think you’ll see a lot more Evertonians in Sligo!”
The strategic partnership forms part of Everton’s wider international growth plans and follows on from links forged through the Everton International Academy Affiliate Programme and Soccer Schools programmes in the US and Australia.
Paddy Byrne: “It was a pleasure to welcome the Sligo U14 side last weekend and build on the partnership, on the back of the recent management team’s visit,
“Our two clubs share a long history and we look forward to sharing some of our coaching methods and values to support the club make great strides forward back in Ireland.”
