Seasons2020-21Everton News
Everton Announce Sligo Rovers Partnership
Everton are continuing to strengthen their international ties by announcing a new strategic partnership with League of Ireland Premier Division club Sligo Rovers.
The new agreement will see Everton and Sligo Rovers partner on initiatives and 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.
Throughout the storied history of both clubs, there has been a wealth of links between both players and fans from the two clubs.
Most notably, Seamus Coleman made the move from Sligo Rovers as a 20-year-old to join the Toffees in 2009. Coleman has gone on to make more than 300 appearances for the Blues and become captain for Club and Country.
In 1939 Everton Giant Dixie Dean signed for Sligo Rovers, scoring 10 goals in seven games and inspiring The Bit O'Red to the final of the FAI Cup.
The clubs have played each other in several friendlies across different age groups and, more recently, Sligo Rovers and their fans were humbled by the generosity of Evertonians when fans heavily supported a crowdfunding campaign which raised more than €85,000 to help the Showgrounds club with revenue during the Covid-19 shutdown of Irish football.
As part of the strategic partnership, the clubs will exchange knowledge across both coaching and business operations.
Sligo Rovers has a prestigious history in Irish football as three-times League of Ireland champions and five-time winners of the FAI Cup.
Sligo were bottom of the Premier Division table in 2020 when Covid-19 forced the league shutdown, but returned in emphatic fashion following that funding campaign to finish in fourth place and qualify for European football in 2021.
The strategic partnership forms part of Everton's wider international growth plans and follows on from the Club's successful collaboration with Chile's Everton de Viña del Mar and the growth of the Everton International Academy Affiliate Programme in the US and Australia.
Richard Kenyon, Director of Marketing, Communications and Community at Everton Football Club said: “Sligo Rovers is a historic football club with a passionate fanbase, strong community support and ambitious ownership.
“Like a lot of clubs, Sligo Rovers are working hard to build back after the impact of coronavirus and we are very pleased to be part of a strategic agreement that marks a new chapter in their future and an exciting opportunity for Everton - building on the close relationship that has endured for more than 80 years.
“This exciting partnership is another step in our own international growth plans and offers clear benefits to both clubs. From joint fan engagement opportunities, events and business knowledge exchange to soccer camps, academy training bases and access to Sligo Rovers' scouting network - it is an exciting collaboration. We look forward to exploring new and innovative new ways of working together.”
Reader Comments (16)
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2 Posted 12/01/2021 at 18:36:06
Home Farm was a pretty high profile club in those days, and I think they would be the breeding ground of a few well known players
3 Posted 12/01/2021 at 18:39:53
It rings a bell
4 Posted 12/01/2021 at 18:47:05
One of the greatest away trips I made.
Ferry from Liverpool to Belfast on way there, loads of Blues rotten drunk caused a bit of mayhem.
A great day in Ballyboffey.
On the way back to Belfast the coaches were running late as a result of the boys insisting on another few pints.
The skipper of the ferry, remembering the chaos on the way out refused to wait for the coaches and sailed.
We were stuck in Belfast overnight.
Some of us sneaked away fronm the heavy escort, police and army, and went on the ale in a bit of a naughty area.
That was eventful.
Long story short. We sailed to Stranraer from Larne the next morning.
What a trip!!
5 Posted 12/01/2021 at 18:52:15
6 Posted 12/01/2021 at 19:03:43
7 Posted 12/01/2021 at 19:05:41
Didn’t they have some sort of tie up with us at some time?
The other club over there I can remember was Drumcondra. I always thought it was a great name! Other than that I know nothing else about them.
8 Posted 12/01/2021 at 22:39:30
9 Posted 12/01/2021 at 23:29:11
10 Posted 12/01/2021 at 23:40:10
11 Posted 13/01/2021 at 00:44:46
12 Posted 13/01/2021 at 08:31:51
The other thing mentioned in the article is the success our our partnership with Everton in Chile. Can someone explain what that success actually is? Is it part of a wider strategy to tap into South America, Brands having recently bolstered the scouting programme in that region?
13 Posted 13/01/2021 at 11:21:26
14 Posted 13/01/2021 at 11:22:16
Chris @7. Drumcondra is a district in Dublin. The team played in Tolka Park which was, after their demise, sold to Home Farm for £25,000. I live there and followed Drums as they were known, as a kid.
15 Posted 14/01/2021 at 16:27:11
When did Shels appear in all this?
16 Posted 14/01/2021 at 20:22:55
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1 Posted 12/01/2021 at 18:28:51