Eddie Howe’s secret Everton obsession revealed ahead of Newcastle United clash

The inner Everton supporter that used to burn brightly will be no more for Eddie Howe when Newcastle United take to the field tonight.

Born in Amersham, 12 miles from Watford, the 1984 FA Cup final turned Howe’s football allegiances blue. A 2-0 win for Everton against the Hornets laid the foundations for an era of dominance on Merseyside.

Both Liverpool clubs were on top of their game, with Everton going on to win the First Division title in 1985 and 1987. Howe would move to Bournemouth aged 10 but his love for Everton remained strong.

However, a sense of detachment that working within the game creates makes him no longer an Evertonian. The Toon boss was linked with a move to Goodison Park in 2019 following Marco SIlva’s departure, the reports were “embarrassing” given Bournemouth’s form.

Speaking in 2016, Howe, now firmly embedded with a black-and-white persuasion, opened up about his childhood loyalties. He said: “I remember my first football being one of those plastic ones which had all the names of the Division One teams in it. You would spot them all and I was an Everton fan growing up, so I would always look for them when I picked up the ball.

“I was a passionate Everton fan as a kid. I lived near Watford. Born in Amersham, raised in Chesham, so I used to watch Watford. Watford were playing in the 1984 Cup final, so I turned it on being a Watford fan, and then watched the game and there was just something that said I have to support the blue team.

“It was the kit, the name... and that was it. I was hooked. That inspired my following of them and I followed them ever since. When I moved to Bournemouth, when I was 10, I went to watch them being my local team. Watford, Everton, Bournemouth, they were the teams.”