Everton Hero- Retired in awkward circumstances after emotional farewell was cruelly denied…

On this day in 2020, Leighton Baines played his last game for the Blues in a 3-1 loss to Bournemouth at an empty Goodison Park

The big screen shows a thank you message for Leighton Baines of Everton at Goodison Park on July 26, 2020
Given everything Evertonians know about Leighton Baines, an understated retirement from football was always on the cards. But even the left-back himself would’ve been disappointed with how the curtain came down on his career on this day four years ago.

Baines is arguably the closest thing Everton have to a modern-day legend. He spent 13 years as a Blue and played a massive 420 games. During those outings he set a standard for excellence, consistency and class. Of his 39 goals, the majority were pearlers.

In the Premier League era, there have not been many better left-backs. Ashley Cole was naturally the standard-bearer for his imperious performances for Chelsea, Arsenal and England. But beyond him, there’s a fair argument to make that Baines is the best

So had Evertonians been able to celebrate the great career of one of their recent greats, then they would’ve done. Baines would not have necessarily wanted it, naturally. But there would’ve been tears, embraces and waves to the Gwladys Street. It did not play out in that way.                      At 35, the defender played his last game for the Toffees during the Covid pandemic, against AFC Bournemouth on July 26, 2020.

Before the game supporters were aware that he had been offered a one-year contract extension, although no news of an agreement had emerged. So when Carlo Ancelotti brought him on as a substitute late on against the Cherries, it felt like it might be the end.

At full time, a statement was released by Everton confirming that Baines – who made an amazing goal line block in what was eventually a 3-1 loss to Bournemouth – was to retire from football.

Everton flashed up a ‘Thank You Leighton Baines’ message on the scoreboard in Goodison Park after full time. But of course, there was nobody there to see it. Lockdown was still in full effect.

“As someone from the city, Everton means so much to me and it has been an honour to be part of the club for so long,” Baines said in a statement quickly released on the club’s website.

“Every Evertonian must be grateful to him,” said Toffees boss Carlo Ancelotti later said. “He had a fantastic career here and was a fantastic example for all his team-mates.”

Baines’ goodbye was only in a playing capacity, of course. He was quickly appointed to the club’s coaching staff to work with the youth team and has progressed to the role of Under-18s manager since.

During the club’s search for a new manager in January 2022, he and Duncan Ferguson took first-team training, with Baines acting assistant to the Scot. When Frank Lampard was appointed, Baines continued to work closely with the same squad.

It’s clear the club think highly of him still. And while a proper Goodison Park reunion might not happen before next summer’s big move, it would be no shock at some point in the future to see Baines as the boss at Bramley-Moore.

That would be satisfying for a number of reasons, of which Baines getting his moment in spotlight would be one.