Legendary Everton masseur Comer retires after 29 years

The Comer family are lifelong Evertonians and Jodie was at the final game of the season against Sunderland as her dad bid farewell.

During his time at the club, Comer worked with 11 different permanent Managers and Head Coaches and five caretaker bosses and was with the club as they moved from Goodison Park to Hill Dickinson Stadium.

On the pitch, they reached one FA Cup final – in 2009, losing 2-1 to Chelsea – and finished fourth in the Premier League in 2005.

Tributes have poured in for Comer from current and past players and staff members.

In his programme notes for that Sunderland game last month, Head Coach David Moyes wrote: “Jimmy has been a huge part of the football club and one of the big characters you need behind the scenes at a club like Everton. We’ll miss him greatly but I’m sure he won’t be too far away with him being such a big Evertonian.”

In the same edition, Club Captain Seamus Coleman said: “Jimmy was one of those who helped show me what Everton meant. I wish him and his family well for the future.”

Among those to comment on the club’s Instagram post announcing Comer’s retirement were Wayne Rooney, who called him a “Legend”, Phil Neville, Leon Osman, Marouane Fellaini, Yakubu, Joleon Lescott, Victor Anichebe, Kevin Kilbane and David Weir.

Jodie, who has worked across TV, theatre and films, including last year’s cinema release 28 Years Later, told the Guardian in 2024 just how important Everton was to her and Jimmy.

Asked whether she would rather win an Oscar or see Everton crowned Premier League champions, she said: “The Oscar is considered the pinnacle of acting, You receive one of them but I think I have to say winning the league, purely to see the joy and elation on my dad and my brother’s faces.”