Premier League side Everton got their pre-season schedule underway yesterday, with Sean Dyche's side playing out a 3-3 draw with Sligo Rovers at The Showgrounds.
It was a good occasion for football fans in Sligo. Not only did they get to host one of the most historically significant clubs in English football, but they also got to welcome home one of their former players.
Everton captain Seamus Coleman began his career as a teenager with Sligo Rovers back in the 00s, before moving to Merseyside in 2009. He has since gone on to make over 400 appearances for the club. He would get a fantastic reception from the home support upon his return.
Everton have arrived in the Showgrounds!
A massive round of applause as Séamus Coleman returns to Sligo Rovers ⚽️
Join us throughout the afternoon for live updates of today’s glamour friendly, Sligo Rovers vs Everton kicks off at 4pm! pic.twitter.com/Cw3tnERwWs— OceanFM Ireland (@OceanFmIreland) July 19, 2024
The game itself was a thrilling contest, with Everton scoring two late goals in order to rescue a draw against a youthful Sligo Rovers side.
However, much of the post-match conversation from their fans was dominated by a kit malfunction.
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Everton Experience Kit Malfunction During Sligo Rovers Clash
Everton recently entered into a £20million per year partnership with Castore, with the British manufacturer debuting their new home kit for the game in Sligo.
However, it did not take long for an issue to emerge, as the club crest fell off one of the player's jerseys.
The crest is falling off Gueye's jersey after 30min... #EFC pic.twitter.com/x4A9FvUAsF
— Kieran O Malley (@kieranomalley1) July 19, 2024
Everton debut with Castore.
The badge has fallen off. Can’t make this up 😂 https://t.co/PNvmgzUlHy pic.twitter.com/KApNiTIze0— They Think Kits All Over (@TheyThinkKits) July 19, 2024
The quality of Castore's kits have been questioned in recent seasons, with the manufacturer experiencing a number of high profile errors.
The upside down crest on the Wolves kit above is one example, with Ireland's Katie McCabe suffering a similar problem with the sponsor on her warm-up jacket during an Ireland game last year.
Why were fans concerned when Castore was announced as kit manufacturer? You tell me...
Hint: look at the sponsor below the crest on Katie McCabes jacket pic.twitter.com/1jU3oNQuNC— Keith Brennan (@Keith_Brennan16) July 6, 2023
It certainly was not a great start to their Everton partnership.
Speaking to the media after the game, Seamus Coleman summed up what the trip to Sligo meant to him on a personal level.
It meant a lot to me.
Very good to be back, great excitement since we knew about the fixture. One that I really, really enjoyed, good to see some familiar faces again.
I left one amazing family club here at Sligo and went to another amazing family club in Everton. I’ve been blessed with the two clubs I’ve represented.
After experiencing some major injury issues in recent years, Coleman will be hoping to use this game as a springboard to a successful season with both Everton and Ireland.
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