The weekends pre-season match between Everton and FC Porto at Goodison Park was more than just a friendly ahead of the new season.
It was a day to mark 11 years of service for Everton by Leon Osman.
The 33-year-old came through the youth ranks at Everton in the year 2000 and went on to have a loan spell with Carlisle United in 2002 where he made 12 appearances in Division Three, scoring once.
He also made 3 appearances in the Football League Trophy scoring twice.
On his return to Goodison Park he made his Everton debut on 12th January 2003 as a 89th minute substitute against Tottenham.
At the end of the same season he made his second appearance against Aston Villa as an 88th minute substitute.
The following season he once again made two substitute appearances before heading out on loan to Derby in Division One. He made 17 appearances scoring three times.
In May 2004 he returned to Everton from his loan at Derby and was handed his full team debut, scoring against Wolves in the Premiership. He ended the season with two further starts against Bolton and Manchester City.
The following 2004/2005 was Osman’s coming of age season, 35 appearances and 7 goals established him in the Everton first team ranks.
He has since gone on to amass 387 appearances, scoring 53 times.
‘First and foremost, you have to talk about the day, the event and what it meant, Leon Osman’s testimonial, I think, is one of those big moments in our history.
‘To have a player like Leon showing the loyalty he has over the years is incredible and it was a really great moment of celebration for every Evertonian. Everton gaffer Roberto Martinez told Everton TV.
As well as honouring the past, the game also showcased Everton’s future, European opponents visiting Goodison Park will be a regular thing this season following the clubs return to European competition.
Evertonians also welcomed both Romelu Lukaku and Muhamed Besic to the club following their signings.
Lukaku was presented to the crowd at half-time, whilst Besic impressed on debut.
Martinez added: ‘as a game, it was a really, really good work out. They are a very fine team at European level and a benchmark for what we’re going to have to be ready for in the Europa League.
‘They’re a team who love to play from the back, which allowed us to work on different aspects that we wanted, and we got a very good exercise from that.’
Vital Everton is 100% interactive. Not only can you have your say on the articles and the forums but you can also write an article to be published on the website or a suggest a poll so you can air your views.
Share this article
