JUST IN: legendary Everton uniform maker quietly departed the….

After a conversation with Samuel Eto’o, legendary Everton uniform maker Jimmy Martin quietly departed the locker room. Jimmy Martin, a former Everton kit guy, recalls a notorious run-in with Samuel Eto’o.

Jimmy Martin, a legendary kit man, described the moment he demanded Samuel Eto’o clean up after himself and left the Everton changing room dumbfounded. Martin served as the Blues’ kit man for 23 years before announcing his retirement earlier this year after more than 30 years of service. He had first been hired as the club’s coach driver during Howard Kendall’s first stint at Goodison Park.

 

Martin collaborated with leaders at Everton throughout that time, including Kendall, Walter Smith, David Moyes, and most recently, four-time Champions League champion Carlo Ancelotti.

Martin recounted an ugly exchange with Eto’o just a few months after he joined the Blues from Chelsea as he reflected on his stellar Goodison Park career. Even though the Cameroonian was past his prime when he arrived in Merseyside, Martin was quick to remind the two-time Champions League champion of the manners expected at Goodison Park at all times.

Martin recalled Samuel Eto’o, who had only recently joined the team, saying, “I remember one time we were playing away in the Europa League and someone had just left all of their dirty kit in the showers. So I had a look it and it was number five.

“I brought them out, and we have a container in the center of the changing rooms for the kit, and I said, ‘Samuel, I don’t care where you’ve played – Barcelona, Chelsea… you’re at Everton now – and you don’t do this.

“Avoid leaving your equipment in the shower. I dumped it in the trash after hearing “It’s not our job to pick up your dirty gear.” The changing room fell silent. And ever since, myself and him have gotten along like a house on fire. He was grateful for it.

Eto’o joined Serie A team Sampdoria after only four months at Everton, despite developing a great rapport with Martin. The forward made 20 appearances with the Blues in all, scoring four goals.