Seamus Coleman’s Everton career spans 16 years, commencing with his transfer from Sligo Rovers for £60,000.
“Sixty grand, sixty grand Seamus Coleman, playing the Everton way,”
the chant has resonated throughout Goodison Park’s stands for the past 16 years.
Having played 428 matches in Everton’s colors, Seamus Coleman’s initial £60,000 investment from Sligo Rovers equates to approximately £140 per game.
Considered one of the Premier League’s most astute acquisitions, his journey was not without its challenges.
The chant will accompany Everton to their new Hill Dickinson Stadium, following the right-back’s recent one-year contract extension, securing his presence for a 17th season.
From his humble beginnings in street football, overcoming skepticism, and a pivotal ham and cheese jambon, this is the story of how Coleman cemented his place in Everton’s history.
Coleman new deal extends Everton stay to 17th season
Killybegs, a quaint fishing town in County Donegal, is situated along Ireland’s scenic Wild Atlantic Way and has a population of around 1,250 residents.
It is also the place where a young Seamus Coleman honed his skills on the streets of his neighborhood.
Brian Dorrian, who played a role in Coleman’s football development, describes it as a community where “everyone knows everyone.”
“For many young lads, including Seamus, early life revolved around school and football. They played everywhere.”
Killybegs was predominantly focused on two sports: football (soccer) and Gaelic football, Ireland’s traditional national sport.
Coleman, like many youngsters, participated in both. The sports provided transferable skills, and the young players developed their abilities through spirited matches between different neighborhoods in the town.
“You didn’t want to lose those matches; it was like going to war with your neighbors,” Dorrian added.
“That’s where he learned his traits, playing against older players, enduring challenges. It instilled a hunger and determination to succeed.”
Coleman with kids from Killybegs before Everton’s friendly with Sligo Rovers in 2024
Coleman began his football career with St Catherine’s, located near his home. Dorrian, who served as the club’s first-team manager, remembers him as “small, tenacious, and with a big heart.”
His size was a disadvantage, leading to his exclusion from county and school squads. However, his determination was exceptional.
“At a young age, he possessed potential, but no more than any of the others,” Dorrian added.
“But he had that something special, not so much on the technical side, but the mentality, which was instilled from his upbringing.
“You don’t want to be defeated by anyone. If that’s instilled in you from a young age, along with respect and manners, it helps guide you through your career, regardless of the path you take.”
Less than 24 hours after a man-of-the-match performance against Arsenal in 2023, Coleman was back with Brian Dorrian at St Catherine’s for a recovery session
Success in professional sports often requires a combination of hard work, natural talent, and a stroke of good fortune.
Coleman’s journey was no different, and three key events played a significant role.
In early 2006, Sligo Rovers manager Sean Connor happened to be dating a Killybegs native. After a conversation over a drink, a friendly match was arranged with St Catherine’s.
Coleman faced experienced forwards Paul McTiernan and Sean Flannery, but neither could find an opening against the raw but energetic youngster.
Connor had seen enough. He summoned Dorrian, Coleman, his father, and the St Catherine’s chairman to the referee’s changing room, and a deal was reached to bring the young defender to the club for their return to the top flight.
Coleman had also been selected for Donegal’s minor team, a significant honor for any young Gaelic footballer with aspirations of a successful career.
He faced a decision. Dorrian noted that “everyone wanted a piece of him,” and he was “under considerable pressure” to choose Gaelic football, which is an amateur sport.
“[But] as soon as he heard about full-time football and earning a bit of money, not a great deal, he jumped at the chance,” said Dorrian.
Upon joining Sligo as a full-time player, Coleman shared accommodation with fellow defenders Gavin Peers and Keith Foy.
Peers recalls his initial impressions of Coleman as “quiet and shy” off the pitch, but “raw, determined, and competitive” on it.
“The three of us were of similar age and got along well,” said Peers, who added that he “did most of the cooking.”
“Seamus often went home. His girlfriend, now his wife, was in Donegal, and he was a homebody. He still returns home during his time off.”
Football, whether on the pitch or on screen, was never far from his mind.
“But when he was here, the evenings were all about Pro Evolution,” said Peers.
“We were all competitive in that house, and the games could get a bit tense, but he wasn’t very good at it.
“That was the one thing I could beat him at, and he’s definitely better at the real thing.”
Coleman got a second chance at Sligo Rovers under Paul Cook
After settling in at Sligo, Coleman’s fortunes were about to change when Connor left to join Bohemians before the end of the season, and Rob McDonald was introduced in his place.
“Rob just didn’t take to him,” Dorrian said. “He told him he was surplus to requirements.”
Then came the second stroke of luck. McDonald left his role in pre-season, and former Wigan and Burnley midfielder Paul Cook was brought in as his replacement.
It was a perfect match.
“Paul saw that he had that drive and determination and related to that,” said Dorrian, who had joined the youth setup at the Showgrounds.
“I heard Paul say at the time, he could see him charging up and down the pitch, tackling, and if a player around him wasn’t on it, he was talking to them and trying to bring them with him.
“If Rob had stayed, God knows what would have happened. It was that bit of luck when Paul came in, and Seamus just propelled from there.”
It was a training day, and Coleman and Dorrian were traveling from Killybegs to Sligo.
As they often did, they stopped for a break on the 95km journey.
Coleman ordered his usual bottle of water and a ham and cheese jambon. It was like any other day until the phone rang.
It was Sligo’s chairman. A bid from Everton had been accepted.
“When the phone rang, you thought it was a bit of a joke,” recalled Dorrian.
“I think he was just sitting there smiling – is this true? Is this going to happen?
“It was very surreal for me. I’m driving a car, sitting beside a young fella who was going to be going across to play for Everton.
“By the time we got down to the club, everyone knew and was shaking his hand. It was a brilliant time for everyone.”
Coleman had been on trial at Celtic, and Birmingham City had shown interest, but it was Everton who made the first move with the now-famous £60,000 fee.
Of course, it has turned into much more than that with various clauses, but it is still a drop in the ocean compared to many modern transfers.
But how it came about was another case of being in the right place at the right time.
One of Cook’s signings was midfielder Sean Doherty, whose dad just happened to be head scout for David Moyes and Everton.
“Everything just seemed to fall the right way for him,” added Dorrian.
“He’s worked hard for it, and the rest is history.”
After a short loan at Blackpool in the spring of 2010, Coleman soon established himself as a key player for Everton and hasn’t looked back
Coleman moved to Everton in January 2009 and made his debut nine months later against Benfica in the Europa League, taking on the likes of Angel di Maria, Javier Saviola and Oscar Cardozo.
It was a baptism of fire in a 5-0 defeat, but the player Everton fans would come to love was on show again a few days later.
The teenager was introduced as a sub for his Premier League debut against Tottenham as Everton rescued a 2-2 draw.
After notching up his first assist, Coleman was named man of the match.
“I was sitting there thinking, ‘three years ago that young lad was playing for me’, and now I was watching him changing the game on ‘Super Sunday’ on the TV,” said Dorrian.
“Back then, if you were to tell me where he is now – I would have said no, and that’s with no disrespect to him. He’d tell you that himself, but it’s brilliant for him and a great story.”
Peers remains friends with Coleman and says he is still the same humble person from Donegal, just like when they met all those years ago.
“I like to have a bit of banter with him now and call him ‘Big Time’ and say ‘you’ve changed’.
“But the truth is he hasn’t changed. I don’t think his family or friends would let him – I wouldn’t anyway.”
After Sean Dyche left Everton, Leighton Baines and Coleman were drafted in to lead the side in the FA Cup
With over 400 appearances to his name, Coleman is now in the twilight of his career, but his status as an Everton legend is secure.
It wasn’t always an easy path, and a leg break while playing for the Republic of Ireland, whom he had captained at Euro 2016 the previous year, threatened his career.
But, as he had done on numerous occasions, he bounced back once again.
He was appointed Everton captain in 2019, and despite injuries limiting his appearances in recent years, including another serious setback in 2023, his impact remains as significant as ever.
Such is his standing at the club, Coleman, along with Leighton Baines, was called upon to lead the team in their hour of need when Sean Dyche departed before their FA Cup tie with Peterborough United in January.
Dorrian believes Coleman will “probably” end up as a coach but feels his future lies in management.
“You can even see when he’s not playing for Everton or the Republic of Ireland, he galvanizes everyone around him.
“That mentality comes from within, his family and where he’s from.”
Coleman’s story is one of resilience and making the most of the opportunities that come your way.
“When you’re 17 or 18 and playing in a first team in Killybegs, nobody would see you as a captain of Everton or Ireland,” said Peers, who added that he wouldn’t be surprised if he returned to playing Gaelic football after retiring.
“It’s an incredible story, and he deserves his success.”
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