Scouse Success Story

Born and raised close to Goodison Park, Jonjoe Kenny says he’s “living the dream” to be playing for Everton. And, as the latest talent to come from Merseyside, the 20-year-old defender knows the key to the city’s production line of talent

- Jonjoe Kenny

You’d do well to find a Scouser who is not proud of their city; you’d do even better to find someone more passionate about their home than Jonjoe Kenny.

Born in Kirkdale, a stone’s throw away from Goodison Park, the determined 20-year-old has become the latest in the seemingly never-ending list of players from the city of Liverpool to establish themselves in the Premier League.

He joins Leighton Baines, Ross Barkley, Wayne Rooney and Tom Davies in the current group of Everton first-team regulars from Merseyside.

The million-dollar question, then, is why is the area such a hot bed of football talent?

“I think it’s the city as a whole,” explains Kenny. “We’re brought up to work hard and have a good go at everything we do - and I think that’s the most important part of it. We come from families who teach you that you have to work hard to get what you want.

“If you dig in then the rewards will come and it shows, with the number of players who have come from the city who have gone on to have successful careers in the Premier League.

“For me, and the young lads coming up now, it’s great to be involved and we want to continue that.”

Kenny grew up - and still lives - within walking distance of the Grand Old Lady. Indeed, many match-going Evertonians will be familiar with Goodison’s nearest train station, if not the Kirkdale district itself.

“I love it around there,” he explains, with a grin. “I know everyone around there, it’s just home. My neighbours sometimes come out and congratulate me after I’ve played and things like that. It’s nice to have that.