The phrase ‘the end of an era’ is one that is bandied about quite a bit, but that was a fitting description for the scenes that unfolded at Everton yesterday as Seamus Coleman said his final goodbyes to the club.
The Irishman is set to bring his 17-year playing career with the club to an end at the conclusion of this season. It remains to be seen whether he will opt to play on elsewhere, with the player still assessing his options after being offered a coaching role at Everton.
Coleman would come off the bench for the final few minutes of the 3-1 loss to Sunderland at Sunday, making only his fourth Premier League appearance of the season.
The 37-year old would receive a sendoff at the end of the game, although not everyone was impressed with the scenes that unfolded at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
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Seamus Coleman given poor sendoff by Everton
Considering Seamus Coleman’s status as a club legend at Everton, it would have been assumed that the Donegal man would receive a grand farewell from the club’s supporters after what was his final home appearance.
However, when Coleman made his way back to the pitch after the final whistle, he was met with a fairly sparse crowd at the ground.
Seamus Coleman says goodbye to the fans in his final home game for Everton 💙 pic.twitter.com/o9IVGthEef
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 17, 2026
It was certainly a pity that we did not see packed stands to give Seamus Coleman the sendoff he deserved.
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Quite a few people were quick to call out what they felt was a rather poor tribute to a player who had given so much to the club.
The people’s club 🙌🏼👏🏼 17 years he’s been there, and 90% of the ground has gone home. Poor Seamus.
— LB (@LBLFC_) May 17, 2026
He’s been there 17 years and about 10% of the stadium is there. Thats embarrassing from Everton fans. https://t.co/CSKkpcC8F2
— Andrew (@andrewlaniganla) May 17, 2026
Bad he hasn’t had a full house there like. Legend for them. One of the few Everton players you couldn’t even say a bad word about, does loads for charity aswell. Poor that. https://t.co/n8u8EdW6sZ
— Mick Birchall (@Mick_Birchall) May 17, 2026
It seems as though a lack of communication from the club was at least partly to blame for the scenes that unfolded.
A few Everton fans pointed out that those in the ground were not made aware that tributes would be paid to Seamus Coleman after the end of the game, with the proceedings taking place well after the final whistle.
Really felt for Seamus, he deserved better, don’t blame fans for leaving after that performance at all tbh though (I didn’t know the guard of honour was even going to happen) glad that those still there made a good noise
— Alan Myers (@ALANMYERSMEDIA) May 17, 2026
It was certainly a sad way for Seamus Coleman’s Everton career to end. You also would have hoped to be given more playing time on the day.
The defender’s season is not over just yet, having been included in the Ireland squad for the upcoming friendlies against Qatar and Canada.
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