---
title: "Everton: Fans wish John Heitinga a happy birthday and look back at 2013 Bolton goal"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/everton-fans-wish-john-heitinga-a-happy-birthday-and-look-back-at-2013-bolton-goal/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Nathan Linley"
section: "Everton"
published: "2019-11-16T07:35:03Z"
modified: "2019-11-16T07:35:03Z"
---

# Everton: Fans wish John Heitinga a happy birthday and look back at 2013 Bolton goal

**Everton fans have been [sending](https://twitter.com/Everton/status/1195251337774039041) their happy returns to former Toffees player John Heitinga as the Dutchman celebrates his 36th birthday.**

The former centre-back [retired](https://www.espn.com/soccer/ajax-amsterdam/story/2799027/john-heitinga-announces-retirement-at-age-32) from active participation in football in 2016 after [finishing](https://www.fotmob.com/news/1fd5pibs6aznw1le46nthpz8ap-heitinga-seals-ajax-return) his career with homeland club Ajax. Heitinga moved to the Dutch capital from Hertha Berlin after various moves following his Goodison Park exit in January 2014.

He spent the longest stint of his career at Goodison Park and signed for David Moyes’ side for [£6m](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/everton-fc-complete-6m-signing-3443566) in 2009.

> 🗣 ‘Ohhh, Johnny, Johnny…!’
>
> Happy 36th Birthday, [@johnheitinga](https://twitter.com/Johnheitinga?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)! 🎉💙 [#EFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/EFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [pic.twitter.com/J5E8UkDhhb](https://t.co/J5E8UkDhhb)
>
> — Everton (@Everton) [November 15, 2019](https://twitter.com/Everton/status/1195251337774039041?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

During that time, he scored just [five](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/johnny-heitinga/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/4315) goals and provided [five](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/johnny-heitinga/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/4315) assists in 140 appearances for the Toffees. He was vastly remembered for his injury-time winner during their [2-1](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/bolton-1-everton-fc-2-3325877) win against Bolton Wanderers in the fourth round of the FA Cup in 2013.

Supporters were quick to send their messages of goodwill and reminisce about that famous occasion for the Dutchman.

Here you will find some of the best messages from Everton fans:

> Big fan of Johnny
>
> — Adam Wightman (@Wightman123) [November 15, 2019](https://twitter.com/Wightman123/status/1195310101520891905?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Happy birthday Johnny lad 💪🏻💙
>
> — Mark Pendleton (@sunscreemer) [November 15, 2019](https://twitter.com/sunscreemer/status/1195337987388837888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> TOTAL FOOTBALL
>
> — Manny (@mannnnny80) [November 15, 2019](https://twitter.com/mannnnny80/status/1195252239075553281?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> [@Jack\_H\_Evans](https://twitter.com/Jack_H_Evans?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) emotional.
>
> — Michael Holliday (@MikDdiK) [November 15, 2019](https://twitter.com/MikDdiK/status/1195302106321883138?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> A walk down memory lane! COYB!
>
> — talkinggadgets (@talkinggadgets) [November 15, 2019](https://twitter.com/talkinggadgets/status/1195256616205066240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> What a noise from the crowd. COYB!
>
> — Nev Zabludow (@NevZab) [November 15, 2019](https://twitter.com/NevZab/status/1195262604559687686?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> [@chelsimorris17](https://twitter.com/chelsimorris17?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) remember 😂👊🏽👃🏽😭
>
> — Scott Morris (@ScottMorrisEFC) [November 15, 2019](https://twitter.com/ScottMorrisEFC/status/1195252099640102912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Haha good day out in the snow though
>
> — Lewis Brown (@LewyBrown7) [November 15, 2019](https://twitter.com/LewyBrown7/status/1195322021342830593?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

\[freshpress-poll id=”259625″\]

***Everton fans, was Heitinga underappreciated at the club? Share your memories below!***