Ex-Everton and Manchester United star Andrei Kanchelskis has now made a claim about the respective fanbases of his two former sides.
Indeed, Kanchelskis, who joined the Toffees from Manchester United in a £5m deal back in 1996, has stated he thinks Everton fans ‘show more loyalty’ than those at Old Trafford.
Speaking with the official Everton website, the 54-year-old reflected on his brief time at Goodison Park and stated that he expected to get ‘some grief’ off the fans when he sustained an injury.
However, the former winger states that was not the case, in stark contrast to his experience as a Manchester United player.
Kanchelskis states: “I cost a lot of money when Everton signed me, more than £5million. Then I got a bad injury after just two games.
I expected to get some grief from fans for being out for so long, but it was the opposite.
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This shows how loyal Everton fans can be. I’d come from Manchester United, it felt different there and still is now. When things are good, the fans are great.
But when they aren’t it can change quickly. I think Everton fans show more loyalty, win or lose they keep supporting you.”
Andrei Kanchelskis felt only a fraction of the support that Everton fans have shown in recent years
Indeed, Everton fans are renowned for their loyal and passionate following, with some of the most intense atmospheres occurring at Goodison Park, particularly over the past two seasons.
With the club struggling at the bottom end of the table, Everton fans galvanised and arranged coach greetings at Goodison Park ahead of key games, creating an electric atmosphere both inside and outside of the stadium.
Without doubt this intense and hostile atmosphere helped to maintain Everton’s top-flight status over the past two seasons, and the Toffees could well be playing Championship football now were it not for the club’s fans.