Ross Barkley says the pain of watching Everton lose in the FA Cup final to Chelsea is driving him to bring success to the Blues.
The 20-year-old Academy product travelled to Wembley in 2009 with the rest of the young Everton stars to watch David Moyes’ team in the showpiece of English football.
Despite taking a 25 second lead through Louis Saha, Everton lost the final 2-1 and the occasion left indelible mark on a young Barkley.
Asked for his favourite memory growing up as an Everton fan, Barkley told FourFourTwo: “The FA Cup final against Chelsea.
“All the Academy players travelled down to Wembley on a coach – it was a great day out.
“There was a great buzz leading up to the game. We walked around the ground before (Free £25 bet offer) Kick-off and there Everton fans singing everywhere.
“Louis Saha scored an early goal to put us 1-0 up – it was unbelievable.
“We ended up getting beat 2-1 but it was a great occasion and the first time I’d been to Wembley.
“It made me think: ‘I want a piece of this. I want to win something for Everton.”
Barkley, who speaks about his favourite players, his pre-match ritual, and favourite film in a wide ranging Q&A, says his goal at Norwich City last season is his most cherished for the club.
“My first goal for Everton is up there with my favourites because I came through the Academy and always dreamt of scoring for the first-team,” he said.
“I used to tell my mum ‘One day I’ll score for Everton’ and when I did I was over the moon.
“Seamus Coleman had the ball on the right wing and I was going to make a run into the box but he came inside so I stayed on the edge of the box .
“He gave me the ball and all the other players were in front of me.
“I took it to my right side, then to my left, which worked enough space for me to get the shot off and I caught it sweet with my left foot.
“It flew in. Then I just ran to the Everton fans and went crazy.”
Wavertree born Barkley also reveals that his favourite memory of playing in the city as a kid was when he struck at hat-trick for his local team.
He said: “Scoring a hat-trick in my first game for my Sunday League team, Ash Celtic.
“My manager gave me the match ball. I’ll never forget that.
“We used to play over at Picton Park in Wavertree.
“I grew up around there.
“If I have a day off on a Sunday I sometimes go and watch.”
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