In the latest instalment of our My Football Journey series, Everton's Northern Ireland youth international midfielder Sean McAllister discusses following a similar path to the Blues’ Club captain, his first impressions of Everton after joining as a 16-year-old, and his Toffees ambitions…
MY FOOTBALL PASSION WAS INSPIRED BY…
I actually played Gaelic football and hurling before I started playing football, like Seamus Coleman did when he was younger.
I was about seven when my Gaelic manager asked me and my brother to come to play for a local football team called Chimney Corner. That’s how it all started. We used to go to seven-a-side every Friday night and I just loved it.
Playing Gaelic was a big part of my childhood, though, and I played up until the year before I signed for Everton in 2019. I still enjoy watching it on the TV and, when I was home over Easter, I went to watch my brother play.
A CHERISHED FOOTBALL MEMORY WAS…
I played in the NI Super Cup, a big youth tournament held in Northern Ireland, which a lot of teams from all over the world come to play in. It used to be called the Milk Cup.
I represented my county team, Co. Antrim, in the Under-16s edition and we won it – we beat Man United on penalties in the final and I scored in the shootout! It was such an enjoyable week and an experience I won’t forget.
BEFORE I WAS A MIDFIELDER…
I played football with my older brother’s age group and, because I was a lot smaller than the rest of the players, I’d usually be on the wing or up front.
I liked playing there, having that freedom, and I used to score quite a few. Scoring goals from midfield is a big part of my game now, and that confidence I’ve got in front of goal probably comes from when I used to play in those attacking positions.
WHEN I FIRST JOINED EVERTON…
I loved the place straight away, ever since I first came over on trial. Everybody around the Club is just so friendly and my family felt exactly the same.
The lads in the squad made me feel as if I had been here for years. I fitted in instantly. My granda actually came over recently and he loved every minute of it, too. Everton is just full of good people.
I feel really comfortable here. I live in digs with Dylan Graham, a goalkeeper who is also from Northern Ireland, and Charlie Whitaker. It’s a good group and we got on very well.
MY EVERTON AMBITION IS…
I want to reach the highest level I can with this club. I enjoy coming in every single day and I just love it here.
One of my best mates is Isaac Price – we’re in the same Northern Ireland youth team – and it’s amazing to see him up with the First Team and being part of matchday squads. It shows that pathway is there.
