Typically a 35th birthday is a time when footballers have to consider hanging up their boots. But for Everton in the Community it’s a milestone that embodies both a celebration of past achievements while also providing a launch pad to a bigger and brighter future.
Back in 1988, a converted house in the shadow of Goodison Park became the operational centre of ‘The Community Programme’, a government-sponsored scheme to foster closer links between football and the local community.
It was headed up by Duncan McKenzie, with the support of fellow former Everton player Alan Whittle and a team of part-time activity organisers who started delivering sessions in local schools before expanding their outreach to include disabled participants and the under-privileged.
