SEAMUS Coleman said the proposals for then now doomed European Super League left him with a ‘horrible feeling’.
Plans for the breakaway competition failed earlier this week, less than 72 hours after being unveiled.
Twelve clubs – including six from the Premier League – were committed to the new League, but a revolt from within the world of football forced those involved into a u-turn.
Everton issued a strong statement denouncing the proposals, slamming the clubs involved for ‘preposterous arrogance’.
“When I saw the statement from my own football club condemning the plans, how strong they were and how they spoke from the heart, it gave me massive pride to be part of this football club,” Coleman said.
“We are known as The People’s Club and that showed.
“Times like this make you so proud to be part of Everton because we are about the fans – and we always have been. We all understand football is a business but that’s only to a certain degree.
“For me, Everton means everything to me. It’s a club that took a chance on me all those years ago and ever since then I’ve tried to repay them. It’s a family club and ever so close to my heart.”
Everton and Ireland captain Coleman said this week had shown the ‘good and the bad of football’, noting the ‘greed aspect’ coming to the fore.
He added: “…but then the good being fans of all clubs getting together and really putting their points across that the proposed Super League isn’t what we want.
“I thought that definitely showed the good side of football – the fans and a lot of broadcasters coming together as well. The football world united to let everyone know what we thought of the proposals. I think the feelings were unanimous amongst players, managers and fans so we got to the right conclusion in the end.
“I’m quite a laid-back person, things don’t bother me that much, but when the proposal was announced it just left a horrible feeling as a football fan, never mind as a player. It just automatically felt off, it didn’t feel good or right.”
