Sixty Grand, Sixty Grand... Seamus Coleman

(Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

In 2009, Everton spent just £60,000 on a young defender from Sligo Rovers. Seamus Coleman was raw. But immediately, it was clear — he was Everton. He just got it.

Spirit, fight, heart, commitment, and no lack of quality.

And for all the usual names that get floated around, given the fee Everton paid, in this writer’s view, Coleman should be considered as the greatest signing in the Premier League era. Bar none.

Now, 17 years and a club-record 372 Premier League appearances later, Coleman’s Everton adventure is coming to an end.

It’s hard not to get emotional while writing this. I hadn’t even turned 14 when Everton signed Coleman in January 2009. I’m now 31. And across all that time, that man has been integral at the football club I love so much.

Coleman’s Everton debut came in a 5-0 loss to Benfica, when he played at left-back, as memory serves, in October 2009. He had first had to overcome surgery on a career-threatening blister, which had become infected.

Three days later, he came off the bench to make his Premier League debut and helped Everton turn the tide and fight back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Tottenham at Goodison Park. Coleman came on at right wing and surged up and down the flank — energy, passion, drive. All of it was clear straight from the off.

David Moyes has often pointed to youngsters having to play out of position to earn their stripes. You can begrudge him for that, and people can say football has moved on since the 2000s — maybe it has — but the example he can point to is Coleman.

Having helped Blackpool gain promotion to the Premier League while on loan there in 2010, Coleman broke into the Everton team on the right of midfield. He scored four goals and was nominated for the 2010-11 PFA Young Player of the Year award.

His peak really began in 2012, when he began to phase Tony Hibbert out of the team and played in his proper position, as a right-back. It is no exaggeration to say that, for the next two or three years, Coleman was among the best full-backs not just in the Premier League, but in Europe. On the opposite flank, Leighton Baines reigned supreme. Let’s face it, we Evertonians didn’t know how good we had it at that stage.

There was that awful leg break in 2017, which could have marked the end for a lesser man, but this is Coleman we’re talking about.

Coleman was the obvious pick for captain when Phil Jagielka left Everton in 2019, and it’s a good job it was he who had the armband as Everton had to negotiate their toughest days of the modern era.

It is once again no exaggeration to say that without Coleman setting the standards and driving the team on, Everton would surely have gone down in 2022, 2023 or even 2024.

“This fella, let me just say in front of everyone, you are one of the best people I have ever met, as a man and as a player too,” Frank Lampard told Everton’s squad after the Toffees’ remarkable win over Crystal Palace in 2022, in which Coleman had won the foul that led to the free-kick for Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s winner.

There’s not enough space in one article, which is already a bit of a ramble as it is, to fit in all the adulation directed Coleman’s way by managers, team-mates and opponents, past and present. Not just for his quality as a player, but as a person — a leader, a friend and a fan.

Now, it’s time to say goodbye.

On Sunday, Evertonians will get the chance to say farewell at Hill Dickinson Stadium to a modern-day great whose only blemish on his Everton copybook will be that he was never able to win silverware. That is no fault of Coleman’s.

This is a man that asked the club to buy a right-back five years ago, as he felt he was no longer able to offer the same levels as he could earlier in his career. This is a man that has played through the pain barrier time and time again. This is a man that has led Everton through good times and bad. A man who was cheering on the travelling Toffees even as he was taken off on a stretcher at King Power Stadium in a vital clash against Leicester City in May 2023. That could have been the end for him; it wasn’t.

“Sixty grand, sixty grand, Seamus Coleman” will echo around Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday, and Coleman will get his chance to say goodbye, too.

Whether he stays on to join the coaching staff, or continues his playing days as he approaches 38, will be up to Coleman. What will never change is the impact he has made on this football club.

He led Everton out in the final game at Goodison Park, and he has captained the club into a new era. David Moyes persuaded Coleman to stay for this season in order to aid the transition, not just from one ground to another, but of a squad reshuffle.

Coleman will no doubt take his tally of Premier League games to 373 on Sunday, and in doing so, he will move into the top 10 for all-time Everton appearances, ahead of Leon Osman and the iconic Dixie Dean, on 434.

Seamus, thank you.

John Collins 2 Posted 15/05/2026 at 14:09:51

No probably about it Christy.👍

Paul Hewitt 3 Posted 15/05/2026 at 14:18:31

I think I could think of many more best buys in the PL than Coleman.

John Collins 4 Posted 15/05/2026 at 14:20:14

Go ahead Paul

Paul Hewitt 5 Posted 15/05/2026 at 14:29:23

Bergkamp, Rooney Salah. Henry. Drogba. I could go on for bloody ever

John Collins 6 Posted 15/05/2026 at 14:33:50

Wow. Some players them for £60 grand Paul

Paul Hewitt 7 Posted 15/05/2026 at 14:35:12

I like Coleman he's been a great player for us, at £60k he was a bargain. But best ever Premier League buy? Sorry, I'm not having that, also not having the legend bit either.

I want my legends to be successful. Never understood the Ferguson legend status either. But if you think differently that's okay with me.

Paul Hewitt 8 Posted 15/05/2026 at 14:36:04

Do your just going on price John. Really?

Eric Myles 9 Posted 15/05/2026 at 14:43:12

Rooney cost us nothing didn't he?

Or best buy for United at £25 million? Then maybe.

You got in before my edit Paul.

Paul Hewitt 10 Posted 15/05/2026 at 14:44:18

Eric.

I was talking about when united signed him

Dave Abrahams 11 Posted 15/05/2026 at 15:11:44

For me Seamus has been a very good player for us, never failing to give his best on the field.

Off the field, he was a very humble person and you can't put a price on that quality in a man.

Whether you stay or go, Seamus, you will have many memories of being an Everton player and left plenty of us fans with many happy memories of your time here.

I hope you enjoy the rest of your life, Seamus, with your family — and “Thanks for the memories” as the song goes.

Christy Ring 12 Posted 15/05/2026 at 15:13:45

Paul, show me a better buy for €60K???

Paul Hewitt 13 Posted 15/05/2026 at 15:19:01

You can cost millions and be a better buy than someone who cost only £60k.

Philip Lockett 16 Posted 15/05/2026 at 17:44:26

Always gave his all for our club.

True professional and loved by the fans.

James Marshall 17 Posted 15/05/2026 at 18:27:22

Paul,

I think people mean he's been the best buy for such a low fee. Not that he's been one of the best players ever.

They're alluding to value for money, which includes longevity.

Paul Murray 18 Posted 15/05/2026 at 20:17:26

Any Everton fan who doesn't rate or love Seamus is no fan.

He's been the best right-back I've seen at our club and I've been watching since the '70s. Amazing buy and an amazing professional and person.

God bless you, Seamus. Blue blood runs through them Irish veins. Thank you for everything.

Paul Hewitt 19 Posted 15/05/2026 at 21:19:49

Not as good as Gary Stevens. That's a winner.

Brendan McLaughlin 20 Posted 15/05/2026 at 21:30:50

Seamus was a fantastic buy for Everton.

Surely we can all agree with that and just wish him well on his retirement.

Tommy Carter 21 Posted 15/05/2026 at 21:32:21

@19 Paul

I’d have Seamus as better than Gary Stevens.

Put it this way - Seamus in the 1985 team. Does he improve it or lessen it. I think he improves it.

Paul Hewitt 22 Posted 15/05/2026 at 21:34:26

I don't think anyone hasn't wished him well Brendan.

Brendan McLaughlin 23 Posted 15/05/2026 at 21:38:53

Paul #22

I must have missed your post when you wished him well.

Paul Hewitt 24 Posted 15/05/2026 at 21:44:43

I do wish him well. He retires a very rich man.

Brendan McLaughlin 25 Posted 15/05/2026 at 21:53:03

Paul #24

My point exactly you can't wish him well without including a snide remark.

Pretty much every Premier League player with any longevity retires very wealthy.

Why the need to mention it in Seamus's case?

Paul Hewitt 26 Posted 15/05/2026 at 21:58:21

Brendan. Every single premier League footballer is fastly over paid. It's disgusting really.

Brendan McLaughlin 27 Posted 15/05/2026 at 22:03:23

Agreed Paul #26

But why single Seamus out?

Paul Hewitt 28 Posted 15/05/2026 at 22:09:48

I've not. I've just said every single Premier League player.

That's not just Seamus

Brendan McLaughlin 29 Posted 15/05/2026 at 22:21:45

Paul #28,

Of course you didn't single Seamus out @26. But why @24 do you feel the need to mention Seamus's riches when they areall overpaid?

Of course it's factually correct and I've heard a lot of retirement speeches in my life (thankfully given a few) but it's the very definition of a backhanded compliment.

Mark Murphy 30 Posted 15/05/2026 at 22:28:36

I think Seamus has been slowly overpaid personally but that's irreverent!

And I agree with Tommy -- Seamus was better than Gary Stevens -- and Gary Stevens was good!

Paul Hewitt 31 Posted 15/05/2026 at 22:28:55

I do wonder at times why people get defensive about someone they don't even know?

Brendan McLaughlin 32 Posted 15/05/2026 at 22:36:07

Empathy Paul #31

It's a wonderful human trait... Try it... just once. You'll enjoy it!

Paul Hewitt 33 Posted 15/05/2026 at 22:39:57

I have empathy. For people who need it.

A millionaire footballer doesn't.

Brendan McLaughlin 34 Posted 15/05/2026 at 22:54:03

Paul #33,

I was completely expecting that comeback.

Seamus was born in a little fishing village in the far west of Ireland where soccer, if not positively discouraged, was frowned upon.

Someone at Everton thought he was worth a 60,000 punt (see what I did there... anyone?) and boy did he deliver?

I just don't get why that good news story doesn't resonate with some ToffeeWebbers enough that they can't wish him well on his retirement without a snide remark.

Paul Hewitt 35 Posted 15/05/2026 at 23:03:37

Brendan. I wish him well. All the luck in the world.

He's been a great servant to the club. What more can I say?

John Collins 36 Posted 15/05/2026 at 23:06:26

Same way as people get offensive about someone they don't know?

Brendan McLaughlin 37 Posted 15/05/2026 at 23:07:47

Paul #35,

You're not beyond saving, mate...

So Davey Moyes...

Paul Hewitt 38 Posted 15/05/2026 at 23:11:14

I wish he hadn't retired now

Brendan McLaughlin 39 Posted 15/05/2026 at 23:15:14

Ha ha Paul #38

Your sense of humour makes up for your lack of empathy. Villa, eh?

Have a good weekend, mate.

Les Callan 40 Posted 15/05/2026 at 23:20:44

Sorry, Tommy @21.

Coleman v Stevens?

No comparison whatsoever.

Stu Gre 41 Posted 16/05/2026 at 08:10:34

I Ioved watching Seamus and Leighton together, how we could do with that now.

Whether Seamus is the greatest bargain in the Premier League or not (I'd go Mahrez myself) or whether he can be classified as a legend (I think he could have fitted in a Top 4 team easily), I don't really care.

He has been brilliant value for money and a loyal blue and will be (has been) greatly missed.

Mick O\\\'Malley 42 Posted 16/05/2026 at 08:12:53

Paul Murray, unfortunately you don't get to decide who is an Evertonian, My Dad has had a season ticket for 60 plus years, never missed a home game, went away all over the country until his health stopped him, he wasn't a big fan of Coleman, are you going to tell him he's not an Evertonian? Me personally I cant say he was my favourite player either, id take Gary Stevens all day long as a better right back, but its just opinions isn't it, like arseholes we've all got one

Darren Hind 43 Posted 16/05/2026 at 08:41:34

Careful, Mick.

The "Real fans" will be after you. Not many will be able to hold a candle to your arl fella, but they are the "Real fans".

Paul Griffiths 44 Posted 16/05/2026 at 08:53:09

Great post, Mick -- 42. I feel like I know your old fella.

Gary Stevens was a better right-back imo, I agree, but Seamus in a different era represented the best of us. He mattered in so many ways and who knows how non-captain Stevens would have responded in a time of crisis not European domination.

But Gary is the best right-back I've seen in my time going the match since Bingham.

John Collins 45 Posted 16/05/2026 at 09:13:07

£60k for Seamus.£12M for Patterson.

😁😁😁

Tony Heron 46 Posted 16/05/2026 at 13:00:06

I can go back to Alex Parker as right back, he of the sliding tackle that was as clean as a whistle. Then Tommy Wright, Gary Stevens and of course Seamus. Different eras, different styles and different game that's evolved continually. Very difficult to compare, so I won't even try. Good luck Seamus, always a credit to the club.

Great buy, great value, great guy.

When you think of the millions...100s of millions spunked on the likes of bolasie, Williams, mina, gabamin, Ali, van de beek, Tosun, Barry, Delph, shniderlin, wallcot, sandro & Gomes Seamus has seen them all off !!! For the price of half a weeks bolasie wage !!

I think for the last few years he hasn't been up to it, and to be fair he knows that, and I only think he was at the top level for 3 - 4 seasons, but his commitment shouldn't be questioned. It's not like he was forced to stay, or forced the club to keep him.

With him going, tarks needing to be put to pasture, I think it could be KDHs time to take the armband !