Everton Notebook: Blues correspondent Joe Thomas with the latest news from in and around the club – including how some prospects are shining and one former starlet is back amid the silverware
Summer signing Justin Clarke has hit the ground running in the latest example of Everton’s young forwards getting among the goals.
The teenager added to his tally in Everton Under-18s’ comeback win over Derby County at the weekend – slotting in at the near post from a tight angle to give Leighton Baines’ side their winning goal in the 3-2 victory.
It was his fourth goal in three games and followed a brace against Newcastle United and another strike against Blackburn Rovers. The U18s have won each of those matches, with Clarke typically playing out wide. He now has six goals in four games for Everton.
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It has been some start for the 16-year-old, who arrived on Merseyside in September from AFC Wimbledon – who said they had received a six-figure fee for the prospect.
Positive form continues in the youth ranks
Clarke’s form is another example of the shoots of positivity in the academy’s attacking ranks – in particular from summer recruits. The fightback against Derby was started with a free-kick by Braiden Graham, the Northern Ireland youth international signed from Linfield earlier this year. The 16-year-old has eight in seven under Baines.
In the age group above, Omari Benjamin has five goals and three assists after Everton picked up the Wales youth international following his exit from Arsenal’s academy. That includes his double in the Merseyside derby win enjoyed by Paul Tait’s side. Alongside them, homegrown talents are also making their mark going forward.
One of the most impressive has been attacking midfielder Charlie Whitaker, who got the first in the U21s’ 4-1 win over Stoke City on Saturday. The final goal in that victory came when Jacob Beaumont-Clark cut in from the right to rifle in from the edge of the area, the 19-year-old adding his name to the list of forwards doing well at the start of this campaign.
Former Everton prospect clinches another title
All of those youngsters will be hoping to breakthrough into the first team at some point in the future. A player who once trod the same path through the Blues academy is Tyias Browning, who made a handful of senior appearances before leaving for China in 2019 after a series of loan spells.
Browning is still there and is now celebrating his latest piece of silverware after his Shanghai Port side clinched the Chinese Super League on the final day of the season at the weekend. It was his second title in Shanghai and third overall having also won the league with Guangzhou Evergrande, the team he moved to from Everton five years ago.
‘Dickie bow Thursday’ tribute to Kevin Campbell
A special tribute night in memory of Everton icon Kevin Campbell is due to be held next month. The ‘dickie bow Thursday’ event is being held at the Isla Gladstone Conservatory in Stanley Park on Thursday, December 12 at 6.30pm.
It is being hosted by the ‘Colour of My Skin’ clothing brand, of which Campbell was an ambassador, and is due to feature celebrity guest speakers, including some who were close to Campbell.
Organisers said: “Kevin Campbell was a cherished friend and the life and soul of every gathering. This special night is dedicated to celebrating Kevin’s spirit, with an atmosphere filled with joy and good times, just as he would have wanted. For Kevin, every Thursday was ‘Dickie Bow Thursday,’ a fun and stylish tradition he loved! In honour of this, we’re inviting everyone to join us in dressing the part.”
More details, and tickets, are available here.
Programme fair at St Luke’s during international break
On Saturday, November 16, Everton Heritage Society will be hosting its own event for supporters to get involved in. The group is due to hold a programme fair at St Luke’s Church on Goodison Road from 10.30am to 1pm (£1 admission). Like with the women’s derby the event will be a perfect opportunity to get a taste of the Blues during the November international break.
