17 Oct 2013 22:43
Howard Kendall was invited to Everton Fc’s 313m state-of-the-art training complex by current boss Roberto Martinez
Former Everton FC Manager Howard Kendall (left), meeting Roberto Martinez at Finch Farm,HalewoodEverton FC legend Howard Kendall was welcomed by present-day boss Roberto Martinez as he made an emotional visit to the club’s Finch Farm training ground for the first time.
The 67-year-old, who is the Blues most successful ever manager, had not been to the £13m Halewood complex since it opened six years ago, and Martinez was keen to show him around today.
Kendall was warmly greeted by many of the club stalwarts who worked for the Toffees during his reign in their Eighties glory days, and also joined Martinez for a coffee and chat in his office.
In pictures: Howard Kendall visits Finch Farm
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Former Everton FC Manager Howard Kendall meeting Roberto Martinez at Finch Farm
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Catalan Martinez greeted Kendall, who managed at Athletic Bilbao between 1987 and 1989, in Spanish, and said he was thrilled to show a man who graced the Goodison pitch and dug-out in such winning fashion around their modern day 55-acre training base, which they moved to in 2006 after 60 years at former West Derby centre Bellefield.
He said: “Howard is a legend. It was fantastic to have him at the training ground. It’s really important that we embrace the true legends of Everton football club and acknowledge their legacy.
“One of the first things I said I wanted to do in the summer was to get Howard here and meet him properly.
Video: Kendall and Martinez at Finch Farm
“I’ve told him he’s welcome here any time he wants to come. He doesn’t have to ask.”
Kendall was shown around Finch Farm’s state-of-the art gym, synthetic indoor training pitch, hydrotherapy pools and spa, and also met with players Phil Jagielka, Ross Barkley and Leon Osman as he chatted in the first team dining room.
The former member of the club’s renowned Holy Trinity midfield trio, along with Colin Harvey and Alan Ball, took part in the visit as he also also promoted his new autobiography ‘Love Affairs & Marriage: My Life in Football’ which was officially launched at the Epstein Theatre tonight.
He said: “It’s a wonderful training ground, it truly is. Bellefield had many charms and was a special place but in terms of facilities, Finch Farm is far better.
In pictures: Howard Kendall at EFC
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Howard Kendall, Everton FC manager and player
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“It was nice to be invited down by Roberto Martinez, and special to be so warmly welcomed by all the staff.
“I think the club has a bright future under Roberto and they couldn’t ask for a better place to prepare for matches. Seeing the boot room and some familiar faces like Duncan Ferguson, Kevin Sheedy and David Unsworth to name a few all working for the club, made the memories come flooding back.”
*Kendall will be signing copies of his book at Waterstone’s Liverpool One tomorrow from 1pm.
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