Monday 16 May 2016 14:38, UK
Tim Howard believes the future is bright for Everton after he signed off at Goodison Park on Sunday.
The 37-year-old United States international goalkeeper made his farewell appearance for the Toffees in the 3-0 victory over Norwich City prior to joining Major League Soccer team Colorado Rapids.
Teenagers Kieran Dowell, Tom Davies and Jonjoe Kenny all played the majority of the 90 minutes against the Canaries and Howard believes whoever replaces Roberto Martinez as manager will be a lucky man.
"The guy who comes in and manages this team is sitting on a goldmine," he said.
"The future is bright. Those boys played well. I didn't have that kind of wherewithal or talent at their age so I was excited to see them play.
"With the passion in this city for this club and the talent that's on display, the sky's the limit for this team."
Howard's 414th and final Everton appearance was certainly not one of his busiest, with Matt Jarvis' 65th-minute shot the only time he was really called upon to make a save.
But a clean sheet was the perfect way to say goodbye, with Howard saying: "I'll always remember that one, it was special.
"It's been a tough week, it was tough seeing Roberto go. Any time a manager gets sacked, you have to look inward. We have to take a ton of responsibility on our shoulders.
"We came out, we responded. I thought we played well. There was an intent in our play and, in a difficult season for us, you could see in the fans' faces and hear it in their voices, they were excited about this team."
Howard received a standing ovation as he walked out and then took to the pitch again at the end of the match, through a guard of honour formed by his team-mates, to address the crowd.
Asked to describe his emotions, he said: "My words would fail me because what I feel in my heart for all Evertonians is hard to describe. I'll miss their cheers, I'll miss their faces.
"All good things come to an end. I know that. I think I was always dreading the day I had to leave this place because I keep saying it's my home."
Dowell, 18, made his first start for the club after substitute appearances against FK Krasnodar in the Europa League last season and Bournemouth last month.
The midfielder said: "It felt proper. No disrespect to Krasnodar, but it was a dead rubber. This was with the real team. It was brilliant. It was one of the best days of my life.
"The reception from the fans was unbelievable and to start was like a dream."
