U23s set for big Goodison celebration

Michael Kenrick Sunday, 7 May, 2017 47comments | Jump to most recent

Mini-derby challenge for PL2 Champions

David Unsworth has used 33 young players in PL2 this season.

David Unsworth's tremendous Under-23s take on Liverpool tomorrow night as newly crowned Champions of Premier League 2.

It promises to be a great celebration of the fantastic achievement by these young and superbly talented youngsters that have been assembled at Everton's Academy, all the sweeter for the expected Guard of Honour their local rivals will provide at the start

Whatever the result, the Under-23s players will lift the Premier League 2 trophy after the full-time whistle - and those at Goodison Park to see them do so will also be backing the squad's ‘Home Is Where The Heart Is' fundraising campaign.

Donations will be taken on the night for the initiative, aimed at supporting young people on the brink of homelessness across the city. Kick-off is at 7:00 pm and entrance is free.

With a sizeable crowd expected for Monday's match, supporters are reminded they must have a match ticket to enter the stadium. These are currently available at both Everton Two and the Goodison Park Box Office.

Supporters can get tickets on the day at the Goodison Park Box Office. This includes Season Ticket holders.

The Fan Zone will also be in operation on the evening, the only place where teamsheets will be available for supporters.

Season Record: ToffeeWeb U23s Page

Reader Comments (47)

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Eugene Ruane
1 Posted 24/04/2017 at 21:56:22

City lose, Blues Champs, well done all!! Up the (Under-23s) Toffees!!

Mike Doyle
2 Posted 07/05/2017 at 13:37:01

Does anyone know if tomorrow's U23 game being televised anywhere?

Jay Harris
3 Posted 07/05/2017 at 14:30:58

Mike,

Try Facebook and search for Everton U23.

It has been streamed live on there lately.

John G Davies
4 Posted 07/05/2017 at 17:53:37

Great job from Unsy and the lads. Who knows, he could be serving his apprenticeship for the big job in two years time.

Richard Reeves
5 Posted 07/05/2017 at 18:13:37

It would be great if the stadium is full, not a spare seat in sight. That's the least the players and Unsworth deserve for what they've achieved.

Phil Walling
6 Posted 07/05/2017 at 18:23:56

I'm betting he won't have to wait two years!

John G Davies
7 Posted 07/05/2017 at 18:30:06

What odds did you get?

Steve Carse
8 Posted 07/05/2017 at 18:37:02

I can't help but think more money for the charity would have been raised if they had put even a nominal £1 charge for each ticket and donated it all to the cause. Would the sales revenue though then have been subject to some sort of tax take (VAT maybe)?

Tony Abrahams
9 Posted 07/05/2017 at 18:38:33

How much, Phil?

Phil Walling
10 Posted 07/05/2017 at 19:03:08

I'll wager a tenner with you, Tony – all winnings to the 'Home is where the heart is' charity!

Tony Abrahams
11 Posted 07/05/2017 at 19:09:34

Sound, Phil, but I thought you was giving me at least 7/2!

Gareth Clark
12 Posted 07/05/2017 at 19:42:29

I hope the U23s get a great crowd tomorrow night! Hopefully Koeman and the first-team players go and support too.

I would like to see Garbutt get a game and I think Robinson is big and strong enough to play left centre-back... 3-4-2-1:

Hewelt
Besic Feeney Robinson
Kenny Baningime Walsh Garbutt
Dowell Williams
Sambou

Subs: Gray, Foulds, Charsley, Henen, C Duffus

Paul Holmes
13 Posted 07/05/2017 at 19:45:13

After watching that rubbish performance at relegation fodder Swansea, Davies, Calvert-Lewin and Holgate need to go back in the U23s under Unsworth, because they are still potential and not worthy of a first team start next season.

Hopefully a clear out will begin after Arsenal and we sign 5/6 new players; then, as the youngsters progress, they can be given another chance.

Dan Humphrey
14 Posted 07/05/2017 at 20:05:23

Is Calum Dyson in the squad? He's just finished at decent loan spell at Grimsby and bagged Young Player of the Season here too.

Michael Kenrick
15 Posted 07/05/2017 at 20:19:57

I hope everyone who can does turn up – yes, that includes you, Dave Abrahams. Take your red drinking buddies with you!!! ;) I'm guessing they don't get to see their boys in the flesh very often!

But talk of filling the ground, Richard, is setting us up to fail. Even 20,000 is probably highly optimistic. I would guess 12,500 – which will be an excellent crowd for this occasion.

Darren Hind
16 Posted 07/05/2017 at 20:20:22

I'd be staggered if Rhino isn't in charge of the first team this time next year.

Hopefully Moshiri won't put up with much more of the shite we have had to endure this season. Not when the alternative is so much more appealing...

Dave Abrahams
17 Posted 07/05/2017 at 20:35:38

Michael, they won't go, and I'm torn between going to see these young lads who I hope have a great night, or going to town with my mates; I will most probably go to town.

I know I will miss a great night and those going to see these lads for the first time hopefully will see two or three stars of the future turn it on for a great night for everyone. I hope it is a great game, I think it will be close as Liverpool have some great youngsters as well as us.

Wishing everyone who goes a great game, with victory for the Blue Boys.

Tony Hill
18 Posted 07/05/2017 at 21:10:33

The bloke I got the tickets from on Friday at Everton Two said they were expecting more than 20,000. I agree that's optimistic but we should all get out, those of us who can, and celebrate a proper Blue success.

Tony Abrahams
19 Posted 07/05/2017 at 21:42:38

Go the game, Dave, tell me how Liam Walsh plays!

Anthony Dwyer
20 Posted 07/05/2017 at 21:56:17

This should pretty much be a practice run for the senior game v Watford.

The first team have downed tools since Europa League qualifying was confirmed a few weeks back. Many of the first team already know they have no future; we should reward a fair few of these lads with genuine premier league experience.

Stekelenburg or Robles in goal.
Jonjoe Kenny at RB.
Holgate at centre-half with whoever,
Antonee Robinson at left-back.
Davies, Gana and Schneiderlin in central midfield.
Dowell, Lookman
RA up top.
Calvert-Lewin, Sambou, Baningime, Pennington, Charsley on the bench.

The lads have certainly earned a chance and the players in front of them look far from interested atm.

Martin Nicholls
21 Posted 07/05/2017 at 21:57:24

I believe original intention was to open Upper Bullens (like Spurs game) and I assumed, depending on demand, that next would be Park End (like Southampton). On Friday they were giving out tickets for Upper Gwladys. Anyone know which stands are in use?

Anthony Dwyer
22 Posted 07/05/2017 at 21:57:42

Sorry, I missed Walsh out there.

John O'Brien
23 Posted 07/05/2017 at 22:07:00

I got my tickets on Friday as well for Upper Gwladys. They told me that Park End, Upper Bullen's and Lower Gwladys are all sold out. My guess is Upper Gwladys will also sell out and they will open another stand and so on.

I'm a close relation of one of the team who has played all season so really looking forward to it.

Martin Nicholls
24 Posted 07/05/2017 at 22:14:56

Thanks John – me too. I have a particular interest in Kieran Dowell who is the grandson of my mate's mate (if that makes sense!). He was singled out by Leon Osman about three years back as one to watch out for.

Tony Hill
25 Posted 07/05/2017 at 22:22:52

I'm in the paddock.

Ray Roche
26 Posted 07/05/2017 at 22:27:41

Dave (#17),

Come on, Dave, you can go out on the town any night... you may not get a chance to see such a promising group of players like these again.

Brian Williams
27 Posted 07/05/2017 at 22:43:45

Michael (#15).

I think you may be pleasantly surprised!

Peter Mills
28 Posted 07/05/2017 at 23:51:41

Dave Abrahams,

I know that Monday is your night out, but if you fancy going to the match just post on here, I'll pick you up and drop you back off for a couple of beers afterwards (it's a 7:00pm kick off).

You've watched a lot of these kids when they were younger, and we don't pick up silver too often!

Peter Gorman
29 Posted 07/05/2017 at 23:59:40

For the love of God, Dave, go to the game. It will be something to remember.

Nigel Johnson
30 Posted 08/05/2017 at 01:40:07

It's going to be the waiting game for Everton on the player front.

Barkley is waiting to see if Lukaku signs, Lukaku is waiting to see what new players Everton Football Club sign and Koeman is waiting to see who Walsh will be able to convince to sign and Farhad is waiting to see how much Billy Boy can get a discount on the players for. Happy Days waiting,

Come on U23s – give us something to cheer about beating the red's not much to cheer about from the first team you guy's have put the first team to shame in the last three matches they played.

All the first team squad should be made to go and watch the U23s play. They will learn about passion, pride and desire and of course how to be winners. Great pride in winning the league, young blues!

Mark Andersson
31 Posted 08/05/2017 at 02:05:58

I wish I could be there... Good luck to the blue boys and congrats on a great season, if only the senior squad could up their game for the fans at least.

Anyway, this is about our young lads and Unsy who have done brilliant. Hopefully a win against the rs will top off a great season...

Laurie Hartley
32 Posted 08/05/2017 at 08:15:00

Good luck to the young blues and their boss tonight.

Ian Burns
33 Posted 08/05/2017 at 08:26:53

Will there be any way to watch this game for those of us not in the UK?

In any case, wishing the boys; Unsy and team all of the best for tonight. If there is an ongoing match report, I shall follow every word!!

Tony Ateman
34 Posted 08/05/2017 at 10:31:59

You can watch the match on the Everton website:

U23s Everton v Liverpool Streaming Live

١.99 charge for Home is where the heart is.

I don't know if this is available for overseas reception.

Tony Abrahams
35 Posted 08/05/2017 at 10:51:23

Come on, Dave, you haven't been this popular since you were born! Go the game and then get into town wearing an Everton scarf, to wind up all the scowlers in red.

Eugene Ruane
36 Posted 08/05/2017 at 11:14:47

Just picked up tickets from Everton 2. Feller said only Upper Bullens left (so I'll be watching through the letterbox).

Brian Garside
37 Posted 08/05/2017 at 11:15:25

For those of us who ae unable to make the game, follow on cricfree.sc – Maybe our Facebook site will show it.

Geoff Williams
38 Posted 08/05/2017 at 11:56:42

I wish them well and sincerely hope that most, if not all, the players make the grade.

Brian Furey
39 Posted 08/05/2017 at 12:19:20

It would be great to have a full house and looks like the weather will be great.

Hopefully they can end the season with a derby win and go out with a bang and be a great night of celebration. I presume it will be shown on Facebook as usual.

I think we need to stay calm though and not expect too much from these players too soon. It's a huge step up to the first team and I think we need to be patient with players like Calvert-Lewin and Lookman etc.

Whilst we all want to see the young lads do well I think we need to be realistic that if we want to compete in Europe and get into that top 6 then we need to bring in a lot more talent to go straight into our first team and not be expecting too much from our young players.

Enjoy the night everyone that will be there. The future is Blue!

Dave Abrahams
40 Posted 08/05/2017 at 12:54:43

Peter Mills (#28), thanks for your very kind offer, I've decided to go to the game, so I'll be okay, give town a miss for once, most probably get thrown out of the gang, after 60 years drinking together!!!

Eugene (#36) must have just missed you, I got mine in the Upper Bullens, you can sit anywhere so there are plenty of good specks.

Anyone going who is not used to the U23s – get you team sheet from the fans zone before the game, it will come in very handy for both teams. Get their handy in case they only open a few turnstiles.

Brian Cleveland
41 Posted 08/05/2017 at 13:52:10

I was thinking of finding a dodgy stream... but now I've seen the official site is selling it for £3.99 for the home is where the heart is charity, I'd feel a right Scrooge if I didn't cough up for it!

Come on guys, those who can't get along, let's at least support the charity.

Tony Sullivan
42 Posted 08/05/2017 at 15:44:50

Dave (#40),

You must have supped some stuff over 60 years!! Some sort of record surely!

Enjoy the game.

Kim Vivian
43 Posted 08/05/2017 at 17:16:52

I know it's a couple of hours still – but any news on the team?

David Graves
44 Posted 08/05/2017 at 17:43:35

Well said, Brian. I was about to post the same.

If you can't make it, don't watch it on a dodgy stream – pay the ١.99, less than a pint of Chang.

Dave Abrahams
45 Posted 08/05/2017 at 17:45:17

Tony (#42) – no more than most people my age Tony, and not as much as some... spillin' some now these days as well.

Dave Abrahams
46 Posted 08/05/2017 at 17:48:12

Tony, I finished too quick, sorry, enjoy the game yourself as well, and remember everyone these lads are just starting so praise loudly, criticise in a whisper.

James Hughes
47 Posted 08/05/2017 at 17:53:37

Dave, well said sir, sometimes we are too quick to criticise. Hope you enjoy the game.

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