Everton and Bolton pay tribute to teenager Noah Johnson at pre-season fixture

Photo: Everton Football Club / CC BY 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Everton and Bolton Wanderers held a public tribute to 15-year-old Evertonian Noah Johnson during their pre-season friendly at the Toughsheet Community Stadium, weeks after his death on 11 June.

Noah died following a rare and unpredictable asthma attack at home. He had lived with eosinophilic brittle asthma throughout his life and received specialist treatment at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.

His parents Ryan and Chloe, brother Evan and sister Evie attended the match as special guests. Before kick-off, the family met players including James Tarkowski, Beto, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Michael Keane, as well as Club Ambassador Ian Snodin. Manager David Moyes also spoke with the family and offered his condolences.

Noah's name and image appeared on the stadium's big screen ahead of kick-off. In the 15th minute, supporters across all four sides of the ground rose to applaud in his memory, while Everton fans in the away end unfurled a large commemorative flag bearing his name.

"I can't thank Everton and Bolton enough for what they have done for my family," said Ryan Johnson. "Saturday was the first time I've actually watched football since Noah died, as football was the thing that we did together."

"Seeing his name on the big screen before the game, then everyone clapping in his honour and the Everton fans lifting up that banner was just something I can't describe, but it was lovely. Nobody had to go to all this trouble, and we just can't thank everyone enough for their kindness."

Despite the severity of his condition making physical activity extremely difficult in his early years, Noah went on to earn a place in his school football team and was later named captain. Ryan described his son as determined never to let his illness define him, and said teachers were unaware of his condition.

"It was so bad, his asthma, that when he was at primary school, he could barely exercise," Ryan said. "I never thought I'd see him kick a football, but he was a fighter and was determined that he was going to play football eventually. To be picked as captain for school as well was something unbelievable, and it was all just down to his attitude."

Noah's connection with Everton included a surprise phone call from Jordan Pickford during the COVID pandemic and an appearance as a matchday mascot at Goodison Park for a Premier League fixture against Newcastle United, where he walked out alongside his idol Tarkowski. Following Noah's death, Tarkowski made an unannounced visit to the family home to offer his condolences.

The Bolton fixture held additional personal significance. Many of Noah's relatives support Wanderers, and Ryan said he and his son had been hoping to see the two clubs meet for years.

"Meeting all the players, and Snods, was amazing and they all genuinely wanted to come and speak to us," Ryan said. "David Moyes had some kind words and he knew all about Noah and his love for Everton and football. That meant a lot to us, as a family."

"Noah sort of became that kind of player. He was a titan on the pitch and my best mate off it."