Former Everton striker Yakubu was a spectator at Hill Dickinson Stadium for the Blues’ stunning 3‑0 victory over Chelsea.
As he entered the ground, fans spotted the Nigerian and immediately broke into his famous chant: “Feed the Yak, and he will score!” It was a moment that meant more to him than most would realise.
“The welcome from the fans meant so much to me,” Yakubu told evertonfc.com. “I was with my daughter, and for her to see the fans and see they still love me, is something I will never forget. It’s so lovely to see the people remember the good things I did for the club.”
Yakubu: ‘I fell in love from day one’
Signed by David Moyes from Middlesbrough in 2007 for a then club‑record £11.25m, Yakubu scored 33 goals in 107 appearances for Everton. His maiden campaign brought 15 league goals in 29 games, and he quickly forged a special bond with the Goodison Park faithful.
“Signing for Everton was a great moment. I fell in love from day one,” he said. “It’s a special club. We call it the ‘people’s club’. The fans are so friendly. The way they welcomed me was so special.
“Even now, I still support them. I just love the place. Goodison Park back then, we made memories. The Club is always special to me. I think I played my best football here. Coming all the way from Boro, scoring goals and playing in Europe – it was a great atmosphere and they’re great memories.”
Moyes’ ‘military’ training and European ambitions
Despite his affection for the club, Yakubu offered a light‑hearted insight into what it was like training under Moyes. Talking earlier about Moyes’s training routine and European ambitions, the forward said,
“Moyes’ training is like military. You have to give everything,” Yakubu recalled. “For me, I don’t enjoy those running around 200 metres. If it’s 50 metres, 100… then yeah. But running around 200, 400… (Moyes) would be like ‘Yak don’t stop! Keep going!’”
He added with a smile: “I was always at the back after a little bit, with the strikers and goalkeepers. Sometimes I stop before the goalkeepers!”
On Everton’s current European push, Yakubu has previously stressed the need for squad depth. “You can’t play with 20 players in Europe. It’s going to be crazy playing on Thursday and Sunday. You need a big squad.”
Yakubu’s message was one of gratitude and enduring love for the club that gave him some of his finest years. For Yakubu, Everton remains the “People’s Club”, and fans still love him.
- ‘I fell in love from day one’, Yakubu thanks Everton fans for a hero’s welcome
- Everton pose high risk of failing UEFA financial test
- ‘It’s been tough’, Dwight McNeil opens up on failed Palace move and Everton resurgence
- Thierno Barry’s Everton future in doubt after fan altercation but potential is there
- Double Everton appointment: Dean Rastrick and Neil Dewsnip handed key roles at Finch Farm
