Adrian Heath has been named as the second winner of the Everton North American All-Star Award.
Heath was surprised with his accolade on Wednesday night as hundreds of fans gathered for a warm-up event ahead of Everton's clash with the Minnesota United team he has coached since 2017.
The North American All-Star Award - voted for by members of affiliated North American Everton supporters’ clubs - recognises the contributions of players, coaches and managers who have represented the Blues and have a connection with or hail from the continent.
Heath, who won four major honours as part of Everton's revered side of the mid-1980s and scored 94 goals in 308 appearances for the Club, follows inaugural winner Tim Howard in receiving the prize.
The former attacker learned of his recognition while on stage at an event taking place at Bloomington's Mall of America, close to where Everton and Minnesota United will meet on Wednesday night (kick-off 7pm CT/Thursday 21 July, 1am BST).
Heath said: "I can honestly say this is such a surprise and a true honour to be named as the second winner of the North American All-Star Award.
"I joined Everton as a young lad coming up from Stoke City and I think everybody knows how much I fell in love with the Club.
"I had the best years of my career playing at Everton, met some fantastic people, and the Club is still very much close to my heart to this day.
"For fans to vote for me to win this award is very humbling and I would like to say a huge thank you to Everton's US supporters' clubs for organising the award and to everyone who voted."
Tony Sampson, Chair of the Everton Fans' Forum and a member of the Chicago Evertonians, presented Heath with his award, informing him he had seen off competition from Tomasz Radzinski, Sam Chedgzoy and Steve Seargeant.
The four-person shortlist had been decided by an advisory committee made up of key supporters’ group figures, members of the Everton Fans’ Forum, fan media, historians and also representation from within Everton Football Club itself.
Before joining Minnesota United as head coach for their first ever MLS season in 2017, Heath led Austin Aztex and Orlando City. Minnesota United are currently fourth in the MLS Western Conference, having taken 13 points from the past 15 available.
Sampson said: "Through the North American Supporters’ Club Network and the North American All-Star Committee we have been keen to build on the connections between Everton and North America and pay tribute to those who have played an important role in making Everton one of the most recognised and highly-regarded Premier League teams on the continent.
"What Adrian achieved with Everton as a player brought joy to Blues fans across the globe and he continues to represent the Club in the fantastic job he is doing as one of the leading coaches in Major League Soccer. He's a truly deserving winner."
Liverpool-born broadcaster and Evertonian Roger Bennett, host of the popular US football podcast and television series Men in Blazers, was last week named as the recipient of the Everton Trailblazer award in recognition of his work in the US for NBC and his continued public support for the Club.
Everton take on Heath's Minnesota United at Allianz Field on Wednesday night. Buy tickets at evertonfc.com/USA2022
