Seasons  »  2015-16  »  Everton News

Howard: Everton will always be home

by Lyndon Lloyd | 26/04/2016  22 Comments  [Jump to last]

Tim Howard admits that making the decision to leave Goodison after a decade with the Toffees was difficult but while he says Everton will always be his club he acknowledges that life moves on.

The USA international will say goodbye to Merseyside in July when he starts a new chapter with MLS side Colorado Rapids, a decision he feels is the right one even if it will be a wrench to leave.

Howard has made over 400 appearances for Everton since joining the club from Manchester United in 2006 but, having lost his starting berth in the first team earlier this year, the timing feels right for the 36-year-old to move on.

“Undoubtedly, yes, [it was a hard decision]," Howard told the Liverpool Echo. “You pulled at my heart strings because Everton is my club, it will always be my club because it's where I've always felt at home but life goes on, football moves on, it's a business, you have to deal with it in that way.

“It doesn't mean it can't be done respectfully, because it has. Everyone from the chairman, the manager, the players and everyone involved has been brilliant and so there are certain ways to go about handling your business and I feel this has been done in the right way.

“But, of course, it has been difficult. They're going to have to pull me off that pitch because it is my home.”

Much has been made of an apparent deterioration in the American's relationship with some sections of the Goodison Park crowd, with him when, on a couple of occasions following criticism of his hesitation to claim aerial balls, they cheered sarcastically when he came to catch a cross and he clapped them back in equally sarcastic fashion.

Howard played down those suggestions, however, saying too much attention was paid to those incidents by the media.

“I think it's been blown out of proportion,” Howard explained. “I've not spoken publicly about it but the press has decided to run with it.

“Ten years ago, I started a love affair with this club and it's supporters. Literally, from day one, they have made me feel like a Blue, they made me feel at home.

“When we lose, they get pissed off, and so do I and when we win we share in that joy. We are one in the same.

“I would imagine from their end there are no issues and from mine there is neither, that is crazy talk, it has been nothing short of brilliant."

Full interview at the Liverpool Echo

Reader Comments (22)

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Gordon Crawford
1 Posted 26/04/2016 at 20:30:02
For the most part he has served us well. Will never be classed as a great in my eyes. But I do believe that he is a true Evertonian and should always be welcomed back to Goodison with open arms.
I wish him all the best for the future. Be nice to bring him on for a few minutes of our last game at home.
Think the guy deserves this.
Barry McNally
2 Posted 26/04/2016 at 20:34:41
Was never his biggest fan but hope he starts one of our last few games.
Dave Ganley
3 Posted 26/04/2016 at 20:35:15
Tim has been a very good servant to Everton. He has been a decent keeper in the past and was part of a very good defence in the latter Moyes years. Dont forget the penalty saves at Wembley against the mancs in 2009. Its not his fault the idiot manager kept picking him when he was out of form, as a footballer who wants to play, if you get picked you play. It's that simple.

Good luck Tim you deserve it and thanks for the 10 years. You leave an Evertonian.

Mark Andrews
4 Posted 26/04/2016 at 20:50:29
Giving 10 years of your life to any organisation is a big deal. I hope he'll be remembered for the effort he's put in for us over the years and not the recent decline and ill feeling.

Thanks Tim and good luck in the future. I hope you get a run out one last time for us.
Doug Harris
5 Posted 26/04/2016 at 21:14:41
Dave Post 3, I can only echo your sentiments.

Tim has been a great servant to Our Club though the latter years showed that there becomes a time to say enough is enough.

Let's just remember Tim by his better displays,someone else's fault in not dealing with decisions that should have been made regards to form.
Good Luck Tim.

Once EVERTON has touched you...
Colin Glassar
6 Posted 26/04/2016 at 21:17:54
Echo the above sentiments. It's not his fault he was played after he lost his faculties. He's always been very professional and I'd like to see him, Hibbo, Stevie P and Ossie start against Bournemouth so they can get a good send off. Thanks for the memories Tim
Ian Burns
9 Posted 26/04/2016 at 21:45:13
Thanks Tim - good luck in the MLS - wishing you well
Oliver Molloy
10 Posted 26/04/2016 at 21:57:28
Once Everton has touched you Tim, as we know.....

Good luck to you at your new club...

Ken Boniface
11 Posted 26/04/2016 at 22:06:45
Tim has served us fantastically, he is close behind big Nev, Gordon, and Gerard .Lets hope we give him a send off to remember, a home win may help! Best of luck Howard with you future great memories
Fraser Auld
12 Posted 26/04/2016 at 22:26:19
400 appearances is no mean feat, you don't do that if you are shit or even just a decent keeper. He's been a good keeper for us and a loyal servant, he should be remembered as that.

I feel a bit sorry for him, Bobby's car crash tactics leave the defence and keeper so exposed when we turn the ball over, we don't bother closing down or blocking crosses and it doesn't look like we practice defending set pieces either. He's been out of the team for a while now and we're just as bad, it still looks like we're going to concede from every cross into the box, every set piece, every turnover etc...

Anyway, we move on, he moves on, hopefully Martinez moves on and we sign a top keeper in the summer. Cheers Tim

Dave Williams
14 Posted 26/04/2016 at 22:39:42
A great servant, very good keeper at his peak and seems a good man too.

Of course he should play in the final home game and I hope and expect that we will all give him a rousing send off.

Good luck for the future Tim and thanks!

Jeff Armstrong
15 Posted 26/04/2016 at 22:40:01
A complete change of tactics 3 years ago is what has caused the demise of an excellent servant to this club, he was receiving the ball when he didn't need to receive it, tip, tap, back, and tip, tap, back again.

This completely alien way of playing I believe caused the whole defence to become nervy and confused, the crowd didn't like it, the players weren't suited to it, and the whole thing has deteriorated to the point where he is leaving in circumstances that could've been prevented had we not had a clown in charge.
Charlie Lloyd
16 Posted 26/04/2016 at 23:12:19
Never a great but had some moments that were. Equally a few howlers! Was played recently when he should have been spared by we all know who.

Good luck to him.

John Davies
17 Posted 26/04/2016 at 23:53:30
Love his performances this season or not Tim Howard has been a great servant to Everton Football Club. A top man who deserves nothing other than our thanks. Good luck to him in the NFL and whatever else he does in his life. Thank you Tim.
Anthony Dwyer
18 Posted 27/04/2016 at 00:01:37
Howard should be remembered and respected for his time at the blues.

Good luck Tim.

Mark Andersson
19 Posted 27/04/2016 at 00:14:56
I concur with all the above especially Jeff Armstrong.

Good luck Tim, your a good blue and will carry the batton well for us blues in the USA

David Barks
20 Posted 27/04/2016 at 00:38:52
He should get the start in our final home match and he should be given a great reception from the supporters. He deserves it, and that's how this club should act.
Don Alexander
22 Posted 27/04/2016 at 01:40:05
Said it before when he was getting pelters off some of us, he's been a good keeper for us for nearly a decade. Never hit the heights of Nev or Westy but for a mere human he was pretty damn good. I wish him well.
Kenn Crawford
23 Posted 27/04/2016 at 03:11:58
Never his greatest fan but well done Tim for your Ten years, you have proved to be a class act hope you have a long and happy life.
Paul Setter
24 Posted 27/04/2016 at 06:45:28
For me, our last game has no bearing on our season so why not start with him, Hibbo, Osman , Pienaar, Gibson and anyone else that is out of contract give them a good send off. All have helped us at times.
Ian Jones
25 Posted 27/04/2016 at 07:43:51
Does he qualify for a testimonial?
Mike Moore
27 Posted 28/04/2016 at 12:21:02
Nice one Tim. Best of luck

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