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Z-Cars: Why Everton use pre-match sirens and why they could be dropped for Manchester City clash

Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 02:  Vitaliy Mykolenko of Everton is paraded before the fans ahead of the Premier League match between Everton  and  Brighton & Hove Albion at Goodison Park on January 02, 2022 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images)
Photo by Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images

As you may already know, the sound of sirens followed by the Z-Cars theme tune often greets the Everton players as they walk out at Goodison Park.

It is a tradition for the Toffees, although in light of Russia invading Ukraine, Everton may be about to make some changes ahead of the clash with Manchester City.

What’s the story?

Well, Everton allegedly began using the Z-Cars theme tune back in the 1963/64 season.

According to the Liverpool Echo, folklore has it that a member of the cast – who played PC Sweet – was an Evertonian, who brought some of the show’s stars along to Goodison Park to watch a game.

In recognition of their attendance, the Toffees played the Z-Cars theme tune, and it remained in place ever since.

In regards to the sirens, these were a more recent addition.

Again documented by the Liverpool Echo, Everton fan and former world boxing champion Tony Bellew used the klaxons as part of his ring entrance, and the Toffees decided to adopt the use of sirens as a result.

Sirens set to be dropped for Everton vs Manchester City

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 12: Everton manager Frank Lampard salutes the supportersat full-time following the Premier League match between Everton and Leeds United at Goodison Park on February 12, 2022 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images

It goes without saying that it would be insensitive for Everton to use air-raid sirens this weekend, in light of Russia invading Ukraine.

According to Alan Myers, a final decision is yet to be made, although Frank Lampard’s side are unlikely to sound the sirens before kick-off.

Both Everton and Manchester City have a Ukrainian in their ranks as well, so it would be totally inappropriate to keep the Z-Cars theme as it is.

Oleksandr Zinchenko arsenal everton
Photo by Stanislav Vedmid/DeFodi Images via Getty Images

The Toffees have Vitaly Mykolenko, whereas Manchester City have Oleksandr Zinchenko, both of whom will – of course – be hugely concerned by the situation in their homeland.

Out of respect for them, and everybody stuck in Ukraine, Everton mustn’t play their traditional air-raid sirens on Saturday evening.