Right-back has been the story of Everton’s summer.
Brooke Norton-Cuffy, Rico Lewis, Zakaria El Ouahdi, Djed Spence, Aaron Wan-Bissaka — the names have piled up for weeks as David Moyes searches for Seamus Coleman’s long-term successor.
With the search still ongoing, it’s worth stepping back from the speculation to look at the players who’ve actually worn the shirt with distinction. Here are, in our opinion, Everton’s five greatest right-backs.
1. Seamus Coleman (2009–2026)
No debate here. Signed from Sligo Rovers for around £60,000 in January 2009, Coleman went on to make well over 400 appearances across 17 years at the club — one of the best value-for-money signings in Premier League history.
He captained the side, survived multiple relegation battles, and remained a constant through six permanent managers. At his peak, he was among the division’s most effective attacking full-backs.
2. Tommy Wright (1964–1974)
A one-club man, Wright won the FA Cup in 1966 and the league title in 1969/70, playing all 42 league games that season.
He also earned 11 England caps, including at the 1970 World Cup, where he was famously pictured receiving treatment for cramp from Pelé.
3. Gary Stevens (1981–1988)
An Everton academy product, Stevens was a mainstay of the club’s dominant 1980s side, winning two league titles, the FA Cup and the European Cup Winners’ Cup.
Good enough to start at right-back for England at the 1986 World Cup.
4. Alex Parker (1958–1965)
A Scotland international, Parker spent seven years at Everton and won the league title in 1962/63.
Strong, quick and an excellent tackler, he made over 200 appearances and still remembered for his attacking instincts and his modesty off the pitch.
5. Warney Cresswell (1927–1936)
Signed from Sunderland aged nearly 30, Cresswell spent nine years at Everton, often as captain, winning two league titles and the FA Cup in 1933. Nicknamed “The Prince of Full Backs” for his composure rather than his pace, he made over 290 appearances.
Where this leaves the search
Coleman’s departure this summer leaves an obvious gap, one that was temporarily filled last season by Jake O’Brien.
Genuine, sustained excellence at right-back has never come easily to Everton — whoever Moyes eventually lands, Norton-Cuffy currently the most advanced, they’ll have a lot of history to live up to.
