Everton confirm retirement of legendary kit man Jimmy Martin

Everton ambassadors Graham Stuart and Ian Snodin have paid tribute to Jimmy Martin after his retirement was confirmed by the club.

Martin, who was the club’s coach driver in the mid-1980s, became the Blues’ first ever kit man in 1990, when he was offered the job by Howard Kendall[1]. At the time, only Manchester United had a kit man in English football, but during his time at Athletic Bilbao, Kendall saw the benefits of having someone in control full-time.

During his time in the role, Martin worked with the likes of Kendall, Walter Smith, David Moyes, Roberto Martinez, Carlo Ancelotti[2] and Sean Dyche. He was also a permanent fixture in the club’s dugout on match days.

Martin was on the bench in 1995 when Everton[3] won the FA Cup at Wembley, and Stuart, in the team that day, said that his presence will be sorely missed around the Ccub.

"Jimmy is an Everton legend, no question about it," he said. "Finch Farm won’t be the same without him - it will certainly be quieter, that’s for sure!

"Nothing is ever too much trouble for Jimmy, and he’s been a great friend of mine since the first day I walked through the door at Bellefield. I love the man."

While fellow club ambassador Snodin, who was on the bus when Martin drove the newly-crowned league champions back from Norwich City in May 1987, added: "What a place to win the title!

"There’s no quick way back from Norwich, and the lads never wanted the journey to end. Jimmy was doing the minimum speed on the motorway but even then, Howard kept telling him to slow down!

"Jimmy has been a magnificent servant to Everton, and I wish him and Marie all the very best for the future. Marie doesn’t know what she’s in for, having him under her feet all day!"

Speaking to the ECHO about his role back in April 2015[6], Martin offered an insight into what it entailed. He said: "I work with Tony Sage and Shaun Doran, and we look after all the kit for the Everton first team and the under-21s, plus all their clothes when they are travelling - the leisure gear they will wear when we’re travelling and staying in hotels.

"And when the players go on a pre-season tour, they won’t have any of their own clothes; it will all be club issue. We will provide everything they need, from ankle socks to hats and gloves."

Asked about the changes he has witnessed in his time at the club, Martin said: "It’s become much more professional.

"It’s a massive operation here (at Everton’s Finch Farm training ground in Halewood) – so much bigger than it was at Bellefield (which Everton left in 2007) and we have thousands and thousands of items of kit, as well as 110 footballs, at £90 each."

References

  1. ^ Howard Kendall (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
  2. ^ Carlo Ancelotti (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
  3. ^ Everton (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
  4. ^ Everton transfer latest on Che Adams bid and Demarai Gray exit (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
  5. ^ Everton could agree five transfers before summer deadline as £25m 'nightmare' set to end (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
  6. ^ to the ECHO about his role back in April 2015 (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)

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