Everton Independent Research Data
Loss of key players cost us, insists Everton FC's Tim Howard
June 1 2009 by James Pearce, Liverpool Echo
TIM HOWARD believes Everton's lengthy casualty list ultimately wrecked their hopes of ending the club's 14-year wait for silverware. The American goalkeeper insists the injured trio of Mikel Arteta, Phil Jagielka and Yakubu could have made the difference in Saturday's FA Cup final with Chelsea at Wembley. "You've heard it all before - injuries and not a lot of money in terms of what the other clubs have," Howard said. "If you looked in August and said, 'which three players can't we lose', those would be the ones. "That's no disrespect to anyone else on the team. They're important players, so it's demoralising. "I think we gave a decent account of ourselves, I really do, but Mikel makes us go, Jags is a rock at the back and the Yak gave us 20-odd goals last year. That's crazy to lose those guys." Howard, who became the first American to lift the FA Cup with Manchester United in 2004, has now flown home to link up with the American squad ahead of their World Cup qualifiers against Costa Rica and Honduras. After that Howard will head for South Africa to take part in the eight-nation Confederations Cup. The 30-year-old faces a hectic summer but he is already relishing the prospect of getting back to Goodison. And Howardbelieves Everton have got what it takes to improve on their fifth place finish. "We have to go up," Howard added. "We have to lick our wounds and get back and work hard in pre-season and start the season better. "We finished fifth and we were downright awful in August and September. We couldn't pick up points, we couldn't keep clean sheets.
"If based on that we can finish fifth, we can sure push on and hopefully hit the ground running and get in the top four."
Leighton Baines rues failure to add goals
Jun 1 2009 Liverpool Echo
LEIGHTON BAINES insisted Everton could hold their heads high after their Wembley defeat at the hands of Chelsea. However, the Blues left-back admitted his team-mates were ruing their failure to build on Louis Saha's early strike.
"Everyone is bitterly disappointed," he said. "It was such a big day and such a big occasion. For us to come here, we haven't quite managed to perform the way we would have liked to. "We got off to a flying start but Chelsea were strong and really experienced. They didn't panic and they kept the ball and made it difficult for us.
"But everyone has worked really hard and deserves congratulating. The lads can take credit from what we have done this season."
Forums are all full of Everton FC fans’ pride
June 1 2009 by Phil Kirkbride, Liverpool Echo
MESSAGES of pride have flooded the fans’ forums after Everton’s FA Cup final defeat. Louis Saha’s opener after 25 seconds was cancelled out by Didier Drogba’s 21st minute header before Frank Lampard struck the fatal blow 18 minutes from time.
But, having witnessed the Blues’ biggest day for 14 years, there was an overwhelming sense that David Moyes’s men had delivered a day to be proud of for all Evertonians by reaching the final. Steve Jones, of fans’ website Blue Kipper said: “Most of the fans are not that disappointed that we lost the final. To be second in the FA Cup and finish fifth in the league is still great. The fans were fantastic, they did themselves justice but I do not think the team did. When we got down to London I think the Chelsea fans were shell-shocked, we sang our heads off through the whole game.
“The game was a tale of two headers, Saha missing his and Drogba scoring.
“But when we bring on Dan Gosling and they can bring on a World Cup finalist in Michael Ballack, it shows the difference.” Posting on the ECHO’s Everton forum, CaptainFerguson10 said: “Being at Wembley Park or whatever the station is called is a cold and dark experience for us fans going home with nothing to show for a brilliant season by Everton standards. Am I surprised we lost? Not as surprised as getting to the final in the first place. “But it has been a brilliant season, and though we are all disappointed we should keep our heads up and be proud to be blue.” Another poster, noambitionfc, added: “I’m proud of our effort today and the commitment can’t be faulted in any way “The gulf in class was massive in my opinion but then if you look at what Chelsea cost to assemble, it’s going to be.”
The Webb and flow of an FA Cup Final
Jun 1 2009 Liverpool Echo
The Webb and flow of a final
WHEN Howard Webb walked up the Wembley steps after Saturday's game the boos rang out from the Everton end. The fans were hurting but the Yorkshireman wasn't responsible for their final heartache. It might not be much of a claim to fame, but Webb is rated as the Premier League's top whistle-blower. But the 37-year-old went into Saturday's game with few friends on either side of Stanley Park.
He awarded Aston Villa a controversial penalty in the Blues' 3-3 draw at Villa Park in April and handed Manchester United a dodgy spot-kick which kick-started their memorable fightback against Spurs. But Webb, refereeing his first FA Cup final, wasn't the centre of attention at Wembley. Deliberate or not, Tony Hibbert could have few complaints about his early booking after halting Florent Malouda's charge down the left by clipping his heels. There was a lack of consistency when Michael Essien got away with a warning for a reckless lunge on Marouane Fellaini but Webb did his best to let the game flow. Early in the second half Phil Neville was deservedly booked for his tackle on John Obi Mikel, who followed him into Webb's notebook after chopping Louis Saha. In fact a couple of big decisions went Everton's way.
The officials failed to spot that Malouda's 35-yarder had crossed the line after crashing down off the underside of the bar. Then Webb ruled that Lampard had taken a dive in the box rather than being brought down by Steven Pienaar.
FA Cup final clockwatch
Jun 1 2009
FIRST HALF
1min – The Blues get off to a dream start as Louis Saha slams home a stunning left-footed shot after just 25 seconds – the fastest goal in FA Cup final history.
8mins – Tony Hibbert is booked for clipping the heels of Florent Malouda.
14mins – Didier Drogba tees up Michael Essien on the edge of the box but he lashes a shot over.
21mins – Malouda is given too much space down the left and whips in the perfect cross. Drogba towers above Joleon Lescott to power a header past Tim Howard.
25mins – Essien is lucky to escape with a talking to after a reckless challenge on Marouane Fellaini (below).
30mins – Malouda’s shot is blocked by Joseph Yobo and Nicolas Anelka scuffs the follow-up straight at Tim Howard.
34mins – Petr Cech is out smartly to deny Tim Cahill as he attempts to latch on to Saha’s clever through ball.
38mins – Lampard’s perfect pass picks out Anelka in the box but Steven Pienaar’s challenge clears the danger.
44mins – A deflection off Fellaini gives Ashley Cole a clear run on goal but from an acute angle he fires high and wide.
SECOND HALF
46mins – Lars Jacobsen replaces the struggling Tony Hibbert.
47mins – Phil Neville is booked for a foul on John Obi Mikel.
58mins – Saha attempts to emulate his earlier strike but slices a 25-yarder off target.
60mins – Lampard puts Anelka through but his chip over Howard clears the bar.
61mins – Essien is replaced by Michael Ballack.
62mins – Cahill blocks John Terry’s clearance but opts to hit it first time and shoots straight at Cech.
63mins – Mikel picks up a yellow card for a foul on Saha.
67mins – Saha wastes a glorious chance to put the Blues back in front as he nods over Leighton Baines’ cross from eight yards out.
72mins – Lampard slips under pressure from Neville but picks himself up to unleash a stunning left-footed 25-yarder past Howard.
75mins – Malouda finds himself with just the keeper to beat but lifts his shot over the bar.
76mins – James Vaughan replaces Saha.
78mins – Malouda’s blistering 35-yarder bounces down off the underside of the bar but the assistant fails to spot it has crossed the line and the Blues survive.
82mins – Dan Gosling comes on for Leon Osman.
84mins – Lampard is booked for diving in the penalty box.
90mins – Cahill tries his luck from long range but fails to trouble Cech.
92mins – Lampard’s pass gives Anelka the chance to add a third but his lob clears the bar.
93mins – Baines is booked for bringing down Jose Bosingwa on the edge of the box.
Phil Neville: Everton FC will come back stronger after Wembley heartbreak
June 1 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
PHIL NEVILLE today promised Everton will come back stronger than ever next season to help him get over the worst moment in his career. The Blues’ season ended in heartbreak at Wembley on Saturday as they were beaten 2-1 by Chelsea in the FA Cup final. Neville was desperate to give his side’s supporters a piece of silverware and felt as if he had let them down when he had to walk past the trophy in the Royal Box. However, Everton’s captain believes that heartache can be put to good use when David Moyes and his squad return to training next month, aiming to go one step better. “We have shown over the past six or seven months that we are on the cusp of something big and we know the squad is in great shape,” said Neville today.
“We don’t need a massive summer of rebuilding, or anything like that; we only need the right couple of additions and we will be breathing down the top four’s necks.
“We are getting closer and closer; we’ve had some fantastic results this season but, unfortunately, Saturday wasn’t to be and Chelsea were worthy winners.
“The pain is not something I ever want to experience again. We’ve now got the summer to reflect on things and I know from having looked around the dressing room that the lads have got the hunger to go again. That has to be the case.” During his time with Manchester United, Neville was involved in the squad for four major finals and won every single one, so the experience at Wembley was both new and unpleasant. He was met at the top of the stairs by his wife, Julie, and children, Harvey and Isabella, who tried to lift his spirits but there was no disguising the anguish he felt that John Terry was the skipper who lifted the Cup. “When I went up those steps I just felt empty,” he said. “It was probably the worst feeling of my career. Wembley isn’t a place to come and lose. “You feel as if you’ve let everyone down, your family, friends, everyone. I saw my kids at the end and felt a failure. But you have to make sure that's the feeling which is used as a spur next time. “It’s the fans I feel for most though. They will have driven back up the M6 fiercely proud of the team but extremely disappointed. “I can assure them we will be coming back next season to give them a treat. If any team deserved to be in an FA Cup final it was us, after playing Liverpool, Villa, Middlesbrough and United to get here. “We probably didn’t perform as well as we should have done but the gulf in the rest of those matches hasn’t been that great. We’re well on the road to bridging it, too and we certainly have the right manager for it.” Despite the disappointment of losing to Chelsea, Neville still feels it has been a season to remember and said: “You can’t take anything away from the players, they have been immense. We have to remember that we’ve come so far.”
Everton FC fans are the real Wembley winners
June 1 2009 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
IT’S football’s version of the chicken or the egg. What comes first? Does a football crowd inspire its players to play? Or is it the players’ responsibility to give their fans something to shout about? Everton’s magnificent supporters decided to make the question redundant. From long before the start to well after the finish they were the dominant force off the pitch. Just like the semi-final, they had painted London Blue long before the team got into town. And while Louis Saha’s 25-second strike might have given them something to shout about, they had already decided they were taking the loudest fans’ trophy home long beforehand. Everton fans sung, they supported – and when Chelsea ultimately lifted the Cup they didn’t drift away. They stuck around to pay their respects to their own heroes and offer magnanimous applause to the winners. It was a heart-warming sight, and reflective of the whole day. Before kick-off there was one group of Chelsea fans parading a blow-up FA Cup on an open top bus around Wembley, but they were in a small minority. The concourses, the car parks – the newly christened Olympic Way (Wembley Way to you veterans of the mid-1980s) – were packed with Royal Blue rather than Chelsea blue. And there were surreal sights everywhere you looked. Daniel Amokachi being mobbed by supporters, Smurfs carrying Everton flags, John Bailey recreating his 1984 big hat, the leader of Liverpool City Council bearing a hilarious Last Supper banner. And the theme continued inside the stadium. Evertonians wanted to be at Wembley more desperately than their cockney counterparts – and it showed. Their backing – from half-an-hour before kick-off right through to the final whistle – drowned out the fans who had travelled just half-an-hour down the road. The noise, the colour, the humour of the banners was all from the Everton end. When referee Howard Webb blew his whistle after four minutes of added-on time – one of the few things he got right on another erratic day by an official erroneously considered to be our best – the roar that could be heard was not one of victory from the Chelsea end, but of defiance from the Everton supporters. They don’t give a prize for the best fans on Cup Final day. But Everton’s would have won by a landslide.
Everton FC still searching for that silver lining
June 1 2009 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
“EVERTON are going to win something soon, that’s for sure.” But not yet. Not this soon. David Moyes’ pre-Wembley words looked like ringing true when Louis Saha maintained Everton tradition for centre-forward goals in FA Cup finals with his comprehensive 25-second strike. But ultimately, Everton scored too soon.
Chelsea had another 89 minutes and 35 seconds with which to utilise their multi-million pound squad to find a way back into the match. And they did. And they deserved to. But there were positives to be gleaned. And one is that Everton are getting closer to the Premier League’s big four. It took another cruel dagger thrust from the Lampard family to finally convince Evertonians that their name wasn’t on the FA Cup this season. Just as Frank senior had done at Elland Road in 1980.
But while the man with the socks round his ankles and the silly jig broke Evertonian hearts playing for an upwardly mobile Second Division side, his son did it for a football club which has been assembled more expensively than almost any other in sporting history. That is the biggest frustration for Everton fans today. In each of the last two season they’ve banged their heads on the glass ceiling of the Premier League’s ‘big-four’. And that monopoly by the monied classes now extends to the cup competitions, too. Some 23 of the last 25 Cup finals have been won by top-four sides.
It was frustrating that the vagaries of the cup draw should ensure that last season, not this, was one of the two in modern memory which broke the mould. While Portsmouth scraped past Ipswich, Plymouth, Preston, West Brom and finally Cardiff on their way to lifting last season’s trophy – Manchester United the only common denominator to Everton’s run this season – David Moyes men had already beaten the top two, then found the third best team in the Premier League barring their path to silverware. It was one big-four obstacle too far. But while Saturday was a day for what might have beens, it was also a day for reflection on another impressive Everton season. The Blues finished fifth, again. They were one game away from a trophy.
And how much difference might Mikel Arteta, Yakubu and Phil Jagielka have made? Hell, even the muscular introduction of Victor Anichebe might have offered a different option for David Moyes. But all four were watching forlornly from the stands or their TV sets. For Everton to improve on the two goalless draws they edged with Chelsea this season, they needed every player to be at their peak. It was a day when the Blues couldn’t afford a solitary mistake. But one or two found the occasion and the searing 41 degree heat too much for them. Steven Pienaar was outstanding – again. Marouane Fellaini produced a performance to match the size of his hair, while Leighton Baines promised moments of danger throughout. But Chelsea always had the greater quality – and in the baking temperatures that was always likely to tell.
Pitch temperature did for Everton in 1985, three days after they had lifted their first European trophy. Sadly a poor referee ensured that Chelsea had a full week to focus on giving their much-loved interim manager a silver lined send-off. Guus Hiddink’s team came within a dodgy refereeing performance of beating a Barcelona team lauded as the finest in Europe. And Everton gave them another horrendous scare when Saha lashed his left-footer past the increasingly fallible Petr Cech. But it proved a false dawn. On another day things might have been different. With Everton worryingly wide open down their right flank during a fraught 45 minutes, David Moyes made telling half-time adjustments. Lars Jacobsen replaced the booked Tony Hibbert, Marouane Fellaini dropped deeper into midfield and Tim Cahill pushed forward to support the isolated Saha. And for 20 minutes Everton enjoyed their most promising period of the match. The turning point was undeniably Saha’s 66th minute header.
It wasn’t as straightforward a chance as some of the post-match pundits made out, but it was a chance nevertheless. But while Saha’s connection was clean, his direction was fractionally too high and Cech remained untroubled. Five minutes later Chelsea were ahead. Quite what Everton have done to offend the Lampard family is unclear, but not for the first time Lampard junior struck a spectacular effort from 20 yards which flashed against Tim Howard’s fingertips as it curved away from the keeper into the top corner. There was no cavalry charge from Everton. They tried, the minds were willing, but after the season they have had, after the injuries they have overcome and in heat reflecting the bizarre decision to play a Cup Final 48 hours before June, the well had finally ran dry. But this side can come again. David Moyes has based his squad rebuilding on youth, which means his Everton side can only improve with experience. When Everton won the FA Cup in 1995 it was a catalyst for turning a relegation threatened side into one which finished sixth. Losing it 14 years later might just give the impetus to push Everton that one, significant place up the Premier League table. Or finally add a piece of silverware. To repeat their manager, “Everton are going to win something soon.”
David Moyes predicts bright future for Everton after Wembley heartache
Jun 1 2009 by Nick Hilton, Liverpool Echo
EVERTON must seek to change the whole dynamics of football if a new period of success at Goodison Park is to be ushered in. But a defiant David Moyes believes the Blues are edging closer, and hopes that a new cycle of Everton success is just around the corner. It was 14 years ago that an Everton captain last raised a trophy at Wembley, and Saturday's 2-1 defeat by Chelsea means that suffering Blues fans must wait at least another 12 months. But in the immediate aftermath of the cup final defeat, the three times LMA Manager of the Year was asked if personal accolades, fifth place and a runners-up medal at Wembley, was the limit of what he could achieve faced with the gargantuan spending power of the Premier League’s regular Champions League qualifiers. But Moyes spoke eloquently and optimistically.
“Yes, the gap’s there,” he said. “But we have to think ‘let’s hope somebody does close it’ and then it might alter the whole dynamics of football because if it’s going to keep going, money, money, money then we all know that something’s going to go wrong somewhere in the future. “But football keeps changing. It goes in cycles. Teams are top at different times and I think Everton’s cycle is getting a lot closer to coming round again. “In the Eighties Everton had great teams and top teams and I think we’re getting much closer.” After a losing semi-final appearance in last season’s Carling Cup, it was Chelsea who once again broke Blue hearts in the FA Cup final.
But Moyes added: “The job is, we have to do it again. “We have to pick it up and go again, and I think this team is growing. “I still think we have a young enough group and I still think we have a hungry enough group. “It will be hard because there will be a lot of clubs who will want to invest. “But we are the side that’s finished fifth the last two seasons and we’ve now reached the cup final. But we have to try and keep that progress going and we have to believe that if there wasn’t any money there we could maybe squeeze into fourth and get into the Champions League or win a cup.
“We have to keep doing that. “And there’s a lot to be said about having a chairman who’s a supporter because, let’s be fair, you know what you’re dealing with and you know what he’s about. “So I think that maybe in years to come you’ll hear it was the fashion at this time to have a chairman who are whatever, but let’s get back to basics and get people in who love their club and love their football teams. “That may be the way in the future. For us, that’s the way we’ve got it and that’s the way I work.”
Once again Moyes’ own future has been brought into sharp focus, with commentators regularly talking up the Blues boss as the most likely successor when Alex Ferguson eventually stands down at Old Trafford, and Celtic the most recent reported suitors for his signature. But Moyes insisted he was more than happy at Goodison. “There may well have been (interest from Celtic), but I’m a really loyal person. I’ve got no reason to think that way. All I’m thinking about at the moment is having a holiday and trying to bring in one or two new players . “I’ve always said I’m really ambitious and I’m making sure my chairman stays ambitious and I’m making sure the club stays ambitious. “Because we have to hang on to the coat tails of the teams above. Last summer, round about this same time, I thought we really had a good chance of having a go, but we couldn’t quite get there. “So we went with what we had and you know something? We’ve not fallen away, we’ve made progress. “Sometimes you have to persevere as a manager, and I’m going to keep persevering and I’m going to keep persisting and hopefully we’ll get there together. “I do think Everton can match my ambitions. Aye, I do. As a football club they certainly can. “There’s not many bigger clubs in England. Maybe other clubs have a lot of money, but does that mean they’re bigger? Not really. “It may give you more scope, but I’m at a great football club, I really am.” Moyes admitted that he wants his summer spending to be completed early this year, and believes that Saturday’s cup final appearance may help attract better players. “If we talk about the Premier League being popular throughout the world and throughout Europe, then Everton will be getting mentioned here and there as well,” he added. “So we should be attractive, because if you aren’t getting to one of the top three above us, then you think Everton might be one of the best stops after that.
“We’ve had a really good season and that’s the message I’ve given the players. Overall they’ve been great all season. “I’ve said before I want the focus to go to the players because they’re the ones who have done really well this season. “I know they’ll be disappointed today but they’ve done well. “It hurts I’ve got to say, because you hope that somewhere along the line you’re going to get the silverware, but overall it was an experience being in the cup final. “And after the game I feel as if they’re not that far away from us. “Sometimes you think teams are a long, long way away and you can’t touch them, but while we were probably beaten by the better team, it wasn’t that far away.”
Dave Watson: We must not forget Everton had a brilliant season
June 1 2009 by Terry Owen, Liverpool Echo
A BITTERLY disappointed Dave Watson admitted the best team won on the day – but was keen to point out it has been a season of ‘a million plusses’ for Everton.
”I think overall the quality of the Chelsea team showed through in the end. Everton did their best, they gave their all but Chelsea had quality all over the pitch and in the end they were by far the better team. “I think if we’d had Arteta, Jagielka and Yakubu it could have made a difference but we didn’t and you have to judge it by that. It’s going to be very tough to break into that top four. The difference in class stood out a mile for me and to be fair, Chelsea could have had a few more goals.” Guus Hiddink’s men did indeed score a legitimate third goal when Florent Malouda’s second half strike bounced down over the line after crashing off the underside of the crossbar but neither referee Howard Webb nor his assistants gave the goal. In the end, it didn’t matter as Didier Drogba’s first half equaliser and then Frank Lampard wrapped the game up with a stunning 72nd minute strike which left Everton deflated. Despite Louis Saha scoring a shock opener after just 25 seconds, the quickest goal in FA Cup final history, Everton were unable to capitalise on the advantage. Instead, Watson suggested the early booking picked up by Tony Hibbert gave Chelsea a much needed route back into the game. Watson continued: “It’s always easy after the game saying ‘we could have done this or we could have done that’ but with Tony being booked so early on it made it difficult. “The lad was on a knife edge and it showed because a lot of their joy was down our right hand side. Ashley Cole was given the man-of-the-match award, not just because of his defensive duties but because he was getting a lot of joy down that right hand side, he was able to get forward a lot.” But while Hibbert’s booking may have tempered his normally robust style of play, the likes of Marouane Fellaini, Steven Pienaar and Tim Cahill were unable to get a proper foothold on the game as Chelsea time and again were able to retain possession with relative ease. Watson, however, was in no mood to single out individuals.
He continued: “I don’t think you can point the finger at one or two players. Fellaini isn’t the sort of player who runs the show. He’s always likely to get a flick-on in the box and hold the ball up. “The same can be said of Cahill, his game is running in the box and scoring goals. We know what his strengths are but we very rarely got out of our own half. We were on the back foot all the time. The ball was going into the strikers, then was going straight back to their defenders and they were coming straight back at us.” But the story could have been so different. As Watson pointed out, it was Fellaini’s head down into the path of Saha which set the French striker up for a shock opening goal within 30 seconds of the kick-off. Sadly though, Saha’s eighth goal of an injury hit season only served as an abrupt alarm call for Hiddink’s star studded side.” Maybe our goal woke Chelsea up and gave them the kick up the backside they needed,” said Watson. “If we’d known before the match that we’d be going in 1-1 at half-time we would have taken that. It was a bad goal to give away with Drogba getting a free header in the box, you’re always going to be punished for that and Lampard’s then hit a screamer. In the end the goals we gave away were quite poor.” “I’m not going to criticise the team because we’ve had a fantastic season. Davey’s done a magnificent job with the players, the fans have had a great day out at Wembley but it wasn’t to be. “Everything’s going rosy for us, so I don’t think Davey could have possibly done any more.”
Tim Cahill adamant this is just the start of Everton’s journey
June 1 2009 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
TIM CAHILL believes David Moyes’ refusal to accept second best will ensure Everton’s FA Cup final appearance is not a one -off. Like the rest of his team mates, Cahill was left devastated by the 2-1 defeat to Chelsea on Saturday and it was particularly frustrating for the Australian as it is the second time he has been beaten in an FA cup final. However, Cahill is not the type of person to dwell on such disappointments and made it quite clear as he reflected on an arduous campaign that both he and his team mates will come back stronger than ever next season.
That is because Moyes will not allow Everton’s players to think they have reached the end of a journey that has been seven years in the making and Cahill is adamant that they can bridge the gap on the top four. “It started off well but ended up pear-shaped,” said Cahill. “But we are very tough and we have shown all this season what we can do. People were saying that our form was going to fall after we reached the FA Cup final but it didn’t. “We’ll see what they say now but the biggest thing is that we are a team that sticks together through the good times and the bad times. We’ve had injuries but tackled whatever has been put in front of us. “The manager expects a lot from us and we expect a lot from each other. He’s done a terrific job here and we all respect him a lot. He’s played a massive role in my career and I’ll always thank him for that.
“He demands the best he can get; he wants us to show courage, character and passion. He demands that when you walk off that pitch, you can hold your head up high after giving everything for him, his staff and the supporters.” The Blues were given tremendous backing by the supporters who went to the national stadium at the weekend, making a din that put the noise that came from the winning Chelsea end to shame and that was not lost on Cahill. The man who has more than repaid the £1.7m it took to sign him from Millwall five years ago is anxious for them to come back to an occasion such as this - but next time he is desperate for them to return home as winners. He knows, though, that the outstanding performances of the campaign will mean a heightened expectation both from Evertonians and outside observers, who may think Everton have reached the zenith of their achievements under Moyes.
But Cahill - whose nine goals made him the Toffees’ joint top scorer - reckons the manager has only got to make a couple of minor tweaks once the transfer window opens and expects Everton to be just a bigger force as they have been in the last two seasons. “Credit to the fans because they have been brilliant all the way through,” he said. “But whether it gets better for them now depends on the players. Will we add in the summer? Will we lose players? “It’s all about keeping the main core here and we are putting everything in to it. There are exciting times ahead, I’m sure of that. People will be asking whether we can do what have done this year and last year. “With injuries and how thin the squad has been, we have played out of our skins. I’ve seen a lot of players get off the treatment table on a Friday, not looking as if they have been able to walk yet they’ve gone out there on a Saturday. “That shows how much the players want to play for this football club. In the main, we can be very proud of what we have achieved this season.”
Marouane Fellaini: I will be back as a Wembley winner
June 1 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
MAROUANE FELLAINI was left with tears for souvenirs on his first appearance in a major cup final but has vowed to return as a winner in years to come.
The Blues’ club record signing was left crestfallen at the final whistle and, after swapping his jersey with one of Chelsea’s players, ran off the pitch to seek sanctuary in Everton’s dressing room. He broke down in tears while in there but, after being consoled by a member of the club’s backroom staff, Fellaini returned to join his team-mates and received his runners-up medal from guest of honour Kofi Anan. Fellaini’s frustration was all the more acute after Everton had taken the lead through a goal by Louis Saha that was the quickest in FA Cup final history but, in stifling conditions – it reached 41 degrees at pitch side – they failed to build on that platform “When you lose a final everyone is down and I was just disappointed that we’d lost – that’s why I went down the tunnel,” Fellaini, who worked tirelessly for little reward, explained. “I was happy with the start we made and the first half was a great performance. “We had one or two other chances to score again. The rhythm dropped a bit in the second half. “But it was always going to be hard to keep that up with that heat, so it’s understandable. We did our best and gave everything we had “Sometimes when you score that early it can actually make things difficult. “The other team then set their stall out and really pushed forwards. They have to do that without inhibitions so maybe when it’s like that, it’s not the best to score so early.” Eyebrows were raised when David Moyes paid £15m for Fellaini on transfer deadline day last September but the 21-year-old has made giant strides through the course of the campaign and won Everton’s Young Player of the Season award. A tally of nine goals made him joint-leading scorer with Tim Cahill but Moyes feels next season will represent an even bigger test for Fellaini and that is something with which the midfielder agrees. That’s why he has promised to return to training with a bang in July and he senses a determination in the squad to atone for this heartbreaking 2-1 defeat in the most positive circumstances. “We have got some top players to come back from injury, so they will be like signing new players as well, whoever we bring in in the summer,” said Fellaini. “Now we have to win the cup and finish higher than fifth. Personally I have to keep on with my learning curve, keep working hard and making progress. “It’s not been a bad season, after finding it tough in the first month. It’s just a case of keep working as much as I can in training to continue my improvement. You will see the same player and more next time.” On a light-hearted note, Fellaini clarified what he intends to do with his outrageous Afro hair style. There had been talk of him getting his locks shorn at the end of the season but that is not the case. He said: “When it looks this good, why should I get it cut?”
Guus Hiddink’s words of respect for Everton team and manager Moyes
June 1 2009 by James Pearce, Liverpool Echo
GUUS HIDDINK paid tribute to Everton boss David Moyes after lifting the FA Cup at Wembley. It proved to be the perfect send off for the Dutchman who ended his four-month spell as Chelsea boss with a trophy. However, he admitted his star-studded side had been given a major scare by Louis Saha's first-minute strike.
And Hiddink insisted Moyes deserves a great deal of credit for guiding the Blues to fifth place in the Premier League and to their final cup final in 14 years.
"I didn't see the first goal because my view was blocked by security people but that made it hard for us," he said. "It wasn't easy in those conditions to react to that goal and play a game of pace. "Everton have proven this year with their fifth position what a good side they are. "They are a very well organised squad and it was difficult for us.
"David Moyes deserves a lot of respect for what he has achieved without big resources at Everton. "He has created a very competitive team and they showed that today. "But on top of good organisation they also have some class players who can make the difference in matches." Among those to offer their congratulation to Hiddink after the final whistle was Everton midfielder Tim Cahill, who played under the 62-year-old when he was manager of Australia. It was Cahill's second runners-up medal after tasting defeat with Millwall in 2004 and Hiddink had words of comfort for his former player."I have a special relationship with Tim," he said. "When I started working with the Australians they didn't have the confidence to qualify for the World Cup in Germany. "Tim was one of the key players in what we achieved. You could use him anywhere and everywhere and he would always deliver. "He is such a big personality and a great Premier League player. I was just happy he missed his one chance today." Hiddink, who won the European Cup with PSV Eindhoven in 1988, insisted Saturday's triumph was up there with his greatest achievements in management. He now will resume his role as Russia coach on a full-time basis after suffering just one defeat in his 22 games in charge at Stamford Bridge.
"It is one of the biggest achievements of my career, winning in the Mecca of world football," he said. "The FA Cup is something you truly cannot believe.
"We had some wonderful performances in the Premier League and also in the Champions League and this is the highlight, to win the FA Cup. "I loved it here so much. I enjoyed working with big stars and they showed a lot of character. "We have worked so hard since February and I respect these guys very much." Hiddink finally turned up for the post-match press conference an hour and 45 minutes after the final whistle. He revealed he had been involved in a farewell post-match break-dancing party in the dressing room with his players and owner Roman Abramovich. "There were some extra-normal circumstances in the dressing room," he said. "We have a multi-cultural squad and we had a nice dance party with the staff. "Roman danced with us. He enjoyed it. He was in the middle of the party. He is not a man of many words but there were some beautiful pictures. "I got my players together and thanked them in an emotional way for how we have worked together."
Why is no one tuning into golden chance? FA Cup Final Everton FC analysis by ECHO Sports Editor John Thompson
June 1 2009 by John Thompson, Liverpool Echo
EVERTON fans who tuned into one of two national radio phone-ins as they drove empty-handed back up the M1 and M6 on Saturday night will have heard Stan Collymore baffled and looking for answers. Not for the first time in his life, of course. But this time it was a pretty good question. Just why, pondered the former striker turned talkSPORT radio phone-in host, is there no sign of a buyer for Everton Football Club? There was only one side displaying a true big club mentality in and around Wembley Stadium at the weekend, he observed. Everton's magnificent, infectiously happy, proud and determined supporters – who so outnumbered the Chelsea fans in both volume and tone it was almost embarrassing – summed up everything that is right and good about football in this country. They put Chelsea and their supporters firmly in the shade – on a blazing summer day when there was hardly any of it about. Everton, mused Collymore, are steeped in glorious football traditions, built upon rock solid foundations, and fighting with every fibre everyone at Goodison Park can muster these days to stay at the top table, even sit far higher up it.
So why no takers when so many other English clubs, not always successfully of course, have attracted new owners with money to spend? Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Manchester City, now Portsmouth. But not Everton. It just doesn't make sense.
Maybe it was not quite the moment to pose such a difficult one. No doubt many of those supporters were hardly in the mood to look for answers to that after a truly memorable and heroic FA Cup campaign ended in deep disappointment, not to say heartbreak, for themselves and their heroes. When you have beaten sides like Liverpool, Aston Villa and Manchester United to get to Wembley, why wouldn't you believe you can claim another major scalp and bring the FA Cup home for a sixth time? That's why the Blues fans were in such buoyant and expectant carnival mood as they descended en masse upon this brilliant and impressive stadium. And why they left beaten, but with a sense of correct defiance in their chests to be back sooner, rather than later. But if there was huge dismay that the Blues had fallen at the final hurdle, there should be no sense of despair today. David Moyes, Bill Kenwright and the players have performed minor miracles over recent seasons to lift Everton from the doldrums and get them back on the radar of this footballing nation.
While Moyes has brought a steely discipline and absolute professionalism into everything Everton, his chairman has given him the sort of backing and support that other managers can only dream of. Moyes has scrimped, saved, wheeled and dealed to get this squad together. And then this season been battered by long term injuries to key players of top quality, only to rise stoically above such cruel fortune and somehow conquer it. But he is desperate to do more and better than be a Wembley runner-up. Because he knows he can. Equally his chairman is desperate to give him the resources his club needs and deserves, but which for all his toils trying to attract investment into this great football club, he and the Goodison board just so far cannot find.
Collymore, along with the rest of us, is right to be baffled. Everton are not a last in the store bargain, waiting to be picked up by some chancer at a rock bottom price and be grateful for it. They're not the last girl on the wall of the dance floor.
They are a priceless gem of our national game and why those who might have the riches and the means to take them forward cannot see it, is indeed bewildering. And right now, it’s their missed opportunity. Moyes won't want pity. Neither will Bill Kenwright nor Everton's hugely-impressive captain Phil Neville, who sincerely and humbly claimed the blame for this cup final defeat after letting Frank Lampard slip his shackles, but who must not be allowed for one second to take it. No. It's often rightly said people learn more about themselves and those around them in adversity, than ever they do in times of fame and glory. So Everton and Evertonians, must quickly pick themselves up from this and understand that, for all the long hours, the personally stressful, dedicated hard work of their chairman and their manager, there are so few rewards in this game that it can be utterly soul-destroying. When you have taken your work as seriously and toiled as hard and as spiritedly as everyone at Everton has in recent seasons, you deserve a medal. And not a runners-up one. But that's what it is and the Blues so sadly have to accept it. It may not feel like it now but it is of value. It does mean and signify something. It is something to be proud of and it should be respected, if not cherished, when the first prizes in English and European football nowadays are so incredibly hard to get at. For now, Everton must continue to fight without the riches and resources on offer to many of the teams they would seek to unseat. They must pull those other levers, like hard work, togetherness and attention to training ground detail even harder to compete. But at the end of the day, there is just no substitute for quality. And if nothing else, Chelsea’s riches showed us that all too cruelly on Saturday afternoon. Off went Essien, on came Michael Ballack.
Chelsea have inherited their sudden riches in recent years because Roman Abramovich saw a benefit in them being based in London. The truth is, it was Everton and their wonderful, loyal supporters who looked much more at home in the capital on Saturday. And that obvious irony should not have escaped Abramovich or anyone else. No. Not only should Everton not have to go begging for a buyer to take them where they deserve to go under Moyes, Kenwright and these precious supporters, there should be a queue of interested parties waiting at the door. Each one of them needing to convince Everton’s chairman, manager and directors why they should be let through it.
Michael Owen for Everton FC?
June 2 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
EVERTON will consider a move for Michael Owen as David Moyes begins the task of lifting the club from its Wembley disappointment. The England international will leave relegated Newcastle United this summer on a Bosman transfer and is desperate to return to the north west. Moyes has long been an admirer of Owen and tried on several occasions to sign him in 2005 but could not meet Real Madrid’s £16m asking price or the player’s wage demands. Boyhood Blue Owen, however, is realistic enough to know that he will have to take a pay cut this summer following an injury-blighted spell at St James’ Park and that could make a deal much more Straightforward for Everton to complete. Moyes is looking to sign a proven striker this summer and there is no doubting that Owen – who has scored 40 goals in 89 appearances for England – has a rich pedigree. It would, though, represent a gamble as Owen has suffered a number of serious fitness problems and Moyes already has two strikers in James Vaughan and Louis Saha to whom similar sentiments apply.
With Ayegbeni Yakubu also months away from returning to action, Moyes will have to think things over carefully in relation to Owen and he will also face competition from Manchester City for the 29-year-old’s signature. Owen’s name is on a list of options, one of which includes exploring the possibility of bringing Brazilian ace Jo back from Eastlands on a season-long loan following his spell in the second half of the last campaign. But it is understood that the player would welcome the chance to play for Everton and the fact he would not eat into Moyes’ transfer budget also makes the move appealing. Moyes has already held talks with chairman Bill Kenwright about how best to move the club forward during the summer and is convinced Everton are on the right path. Aside from a striker, he intends bolstering his midfield, with Cardiff’s young Wales international Joe Ledley a top target. Moyes said: “There is no reason why Everton should not be attractive to the top players. I’d like to get the money a bit earlier this time and do some quicker deals.”
Everton FC plan African pre-season tour
June 2 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
EVERTON will begin their pre-season campaign with an unprecedented trip to Ghana. The Blues are due back in training early next month and will play their first game against either Asante Kotoko or Accra Hearts of Oak, both of the Ghanaian Premier League, on the evening of Sunday, July 12. According to reports in Ghana today, Asante Kotoko look the more likely opponents as their interim-management team member Benjamin Nti has informed the Ghanaian Football Association of an invitation to play the Blues. It will be the first time the FA Cup finalists have travelled to sub-Saharan Africa to play a game and conditions are sure to be stifling in a country that is on the Gulf of Guinea. Goodison officials have already been out to check on the 40,000-capacity Baba Yara stadium in Kumasi, which is Ghana’s second city.
They are also looking at options for providing travel options for any supporters who are considering going to watch the game. Blues boss David Moyes is sure to take a strong squad with him but will be without Steven Pienaar and Tim Howard – both of whom are playing in the Confederations Cup – and Joleon Lescott, who is with England for the World Cup qualifiers with Kazakhstan and Andorra. They will be given an extended period of rest but will return for the main pre-season tour to the west coast of America, which is scheduled for the last two weeks in July.
Everton have already lined-up a game against the MLS All-Stars – which will take place in Salt Lake City on July 29 – and hope to be in a position to announce other fixtures soon. There will also be a number of friendlies in England, too, with the traditional trips to Preston and Bury being discussed but, as yet, unconfirmed.
Lars Jacobsen to meet with David Moyes over Everton future
Jun 2 2009 Liverpool Echo
LARS JACOBSEN will meet David Moyes to discuss his future plans next week after Denmark’s World Cup qualifier with Sweden. The Everton defender effectively became a free agent yesterday after the short term contract he signed last August expired. However, Jacobsen is hopeful that his stay on Merseyside will be prolonged and has made it clear on several occasions that he is more than happy where he is.
What’s more, the fact that Moyes chose to play the 29-year-old as a second half substitute in the FA Cup final on Saturday also bodes well for Jacobsen’s prospects.
Moyes, clearly, has faith in the Dane’s ability – after all, he contemplated signing him in November 2006 when he played for FC Copenhagen – and the manager would not have pitched him in against Chelsea if he did not think he could do a job.
Bayern Munich had been weighing up a move for him a couple of months ago but, if Jacobsen has his way, the only outcome to the meeting with Moyes will be him signing a new deal “I have a big game on Saturday,” said Jacobsen, referring to Denmark’s World Cup qualifier in Solna. “Let’s get that over with first and then we can talk about the other stuff like a new contract after that. “I hope to stay but no decision has been made yet. I have had some great months after my injury, I have come back strong and I would really love to stay here. “It’s been a pleasure to work with the guys. We have got a great team spirit, this is a top club, so of course I would love to stay.” A dislocated shoulder meant that Jacobsen did not make his first appearance for Everton until March 21 in the 2-1 defeat at Portsmouth but since then he has made big strides and impressed with the composed way he goes about his business on the pitch. He pressed Tony Hibbert all the way for a start at Wembley but eventually got on after the Academy graduate picked up a booking during a difficult first 45 minutes.
Nigel Martyn: Big picture paints image of success for Everton
Jun 2 2009 by Nigel Martyn, Liverpool Echo
SO, unfortunately, the fairytale did not have a happy ending and another season passes without Goodison Park’s trophy cabinet being added to. The disappointment we all feel today after losing the FA Cup final remains as sharp as it did on Saturday evening but, even though it might be difficult, now is as good a time as any to take a look at the bigger picture. If someone had told you immediately after we had lost to Blackburn last August that Everton would finish the season in fifth place and have two fantastic days out at Wembley by the end, I’m pretty sure you would have snapped their hand off. Put it another way, it would have taken a very brave man to gamble with such a scenario – when you think of the injuries with which we have had to contend, this was the best campaign Everton could have hoped for. Yes, it would have been fantastic for the players to have had a piece of silverware to show for their efforts but, occasionally, you have to hold your hands up and admit that the better side won. What really irked, though, was the fact that two men who turned the tide in their favour after Louis Saha had scored our early goal were Nicolas Anelka and Florent Malouda, both of whom have had less than impressive Chelsea careers.
Anelka won the Golden Boot this year but you never heard his name mentioned once in contention for Player of the Season, while Malouda had been anonymous until Guus Hiddink’s arrival. But they caused us such problems, Malouda in particular thriving with Ashley Cole. The way they passed it between them left Tony Hibbert unsure whether he should stick with one man or follow the runner. Such a shame. I had been confident about our prospects before the game so I have got to be honest and say I was disappointed that we couldn’t stage a grandstand finish after Frank Lampard had scored what proved to be the winner. Petr Cech, after all, had looked vulnerable at some crosses and maybe that could have been exploited if we had sent Joseph Yobo or Joleon Lescott up for the last 10 minutes. Ultimately, they just had too much quality but don’t lose sight of the fact how well Everton have played for much of the last nine months.
Mark Ward: From Right Wing to 'B' Wing
June 2 2009 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
ON Monday, May 11, 2009, prisoner NM6982 stepped back into the real world and became Mark Ward, former Everton footballer once again. It was the end of an appalling, yet enlightening journey. Sentenced in May 2005 to eight years imprisonment for renting a house in which cocaine with a street value of £645,000 was found, Ward accepts he had been extraordinarily stupid – “I made the biggest mistake of my life,” he declared. But now he is trying to pick up the pieces.
Part of that process is his autobiography – currently his only means of supporting himself – published on FA Cup final day under the frank title: ‘Mark Ward: From Right Wing To B-Wing . . . Premier League to Prison.” And it is a brutal story.
It started on his first day in the notoriously grim Walton prison. “I was given a small pocket diary on my first day and I used to put little entries in it,” he explained. “Things like ‘A lad topped himself today a few cells down from me’ or ‘a cockroach ran over my face while I was in bed.’ “They were really important when a publisher made contact with me when I was in jail and told me I had a story to tell, would I be interested? “I wrote it all by hand, on prison paper, over 100,000 words of it – and yes, I’m proud of it. “I know people will have an opinion about what I have done and I accept that. I know there will be people out there whose lives have been affected by related crimes. “People will say I should have served the eight years, some will say I should have done more. “But I can’t sit on my arse and do nothing. I just have to be positive and I have a lot of making up to do with friends and family who I have let down badly.” Ward admits that the day he agreed to rent 11 McVinnie Road, Huyton, in his own name, was the biggest mistake of his life. But always fearless and feisty as a footballer, he does admit to some sense of bemusement at a legal system which saw him handed an eight-year sentence for allowing his name to be used to rent a property, while the Mr Big who was organising the manufacture and distribution of hard drugs from the address later went down for only a year longer. “I took my sentence bang on the chin, but I’ll always question why I was treated in court as if I was the main man,” he added. “The police and prosecution knew the tiny role I’d played in renting the house, but they couldn’t disclose that in court or the whole operation to bring in the gang would have collapsed. “Walton is a horrendous place,” he added. “It’s chalk and cheese to the open prison where I later went. I used to call B-Wing, where I was held, the Bronx. “I’ve seen really hard men crumble. I think what helped me get through it was my background as a footballer. “The all-male, institutionalised environment is the same, with banter and cruelty common to both. You also need to stand up for yourself, have fire in your belly to get through. My temperament helped me survive in prison.
“While I was in Walton, Howard Kendall and Duncan Ferguson also came to visit me and that was unbelievable. “I was nervous as hell about seeing Howard again because I have so much respect for the man, but he put me at ease straight away. He said nothing had changed between us and he would be there for me when I got out.
“I’m looking forward to meeting up with him again.” There are lots of things that Ward is now looking forward to doing again. Although he admits his social life may have to take on a more temperate hue. In one bizarre chapter of his book, “Shooting the Pope”, Ward reveals how, at a 1992 Christmas fancy dress party at Everton, he shot team-mate and now ECHO columnist Barry Horne, dressed as the Pope, at close range, in the chest. Unknown to Ward, the gun was real. Ward had pinched the weapon from a John Wayne look-a-like, thinking it was a cap gun.“The noise was staggering, unbelievable,” Ward writes. “We were all stunned to see a massive flash of fire shoot from the barrel and Barry, who took a direct hit, was flung backwards. There'd been a bullet in the chamber. “The saving mercy was that the bullet was a blank, designed to crumple and ignite on impact rather than explode. Still, Barry was knocked back, and he was on fire.” Horne was extinguished by a pint of lager, and while bruised and shocked, made a full enough recovery to recall the incident this week. “I had to train the next day,” he grimaced. “I could barely move and it wasn’t because of the hangover!” That incident was never made public, nor were many others, from his run-in with a notorious gangster, aka The Blackmailer, to numerous other escapades off the pitch. A rough and tumble with comedian Stan Boardman, which ended with the pair rolling around a stage at a city centre hotel scattering a drum kit, was witnessed by many people that night. But there are many, many other stories which are honestly delivered. Ultimately Ward’s book is the short term means to an end. But his eventual aim is to get back into football in a coaching or managerial capacity. “It’s going to be a brave person that will employ me as a manager or a coach,” he admits, “but I want to do what I am best at and I proved at Birmingham I can coach and I’ve proved I can deal with men. “If you can put up with some of the scenes I’ve encountered it will make me a much better manager. I’m certainly a much better person now for what I’ve been through, and hopefully my experience can send out a message to people.” * The ECHO will be carrying extracts from “From Right Wing To B-Wing” all this week.
* To order a signed copy in hardback for £15 (post free in the UK), contact Football World on their Credit Card Hotline: 01708 744 333, or order online at www.football world.co.uk. Alternatively, send cheque for £15 (payable to Football World) to: Football World (MW Book), 103 Douglas Road, Hornchurch, Essex, RM11 1AW.
Everton FC fan needs stitches after attack by Chelsea fans on a train after FA Cup final
Jun 2 2009 by Alan Weston, Liverpool Echo
A 54-YEAR-old Everton fan needed eight stitches above his eye after cowardly Chelsea-supporting thugs launched an unprovoked attack on him and his son.
Philip Heron, of Mossley Hill, was travelling home on a train with son Andrew after their side’s 2-1 defeat to Chelsea in Saturday’s FA Cup final. But as they chatted between themselves about the match and the teams’ performances, their Liverpool accents and Andrew’s Everton top drew the attention of a group of shaven-headed Chelsea fans sitting nearby. One of them called the father and son a “pair of Scouse gits”. Although they tried to ignore him, one thug came over and went to attack 24-year-old Andrew. Mr Heron threw his body in front of his son and bore the brunt of the vicious assault, which at least one other Chelsea supporter joined in. The dad-of-two was left covered in blood after blows were rained down on his head.
Mr Heron said: “A few other Chelsea fans were looking on and one was egging them on. “They only stopped because there was so much blood. “We managed to get out of the carriage, and then another passenger who saw the whole thing said he had contacted British Transport Police on his phone and I spoke to them. “We did not go the full journey and decided to get off at the next stop because we did not want to meet that group again.” Mr Heron went to a hospital in Oxford, near where his son lives, and needed eight stitches above his eye. He is now recovering at home in Liverpool. He said it was the first time he had encountered any trouble in more than 40 years as an Everton fan. He added: “We had been having a good laugh with Chelsea fans earlier in the day. “Nothing we said on the train should have antagonised this group in any way. It was just us being there.” A spokesman for British Transport Police said they were reviewing CCTV images, adding: “Our message to football fans is behaviour such as this will not be tolerated.”
Nigel Martyn: Michael Owen not the striking solution for Everton FC
Jun 2 2009 by Nigel Martyn, Liverpool Echo
DAVID MOYES will be wheeling and dealing this summer as he looks to find the players who can help shoot Everton into the top four. A striker will be on his wish list and Michael Owen’s name continues to be linked with a move to Goodison Park.
As good a player as he is, though, I don’t think he would be right for Everton; I have the greatest respect for his talents and pedigree and he has enjoyed a fine career.
But he hasn’t scored much for Newcastle, has been troubled by injuries and if he is not getting 20 or 25 goals a season, there is a danger of him becoming a liability.
I know David was very keen to sign him four years ago when he left Real Madrid but things change and Everton have moved on dramatically since then.
Nigel Martyn: Next season will be massive for James Vaughan
Jun 2 2009 by Nigel Martyn, Liverpool Echo
ONE of the most heartening sights of Everton’s season was the moment James Vaughan smashed in his penalty during the shootout with Manchester United.
It was also pleasing to see him get a run out against Chelsea on Saturday and I just hope that his injury troubles are now well behind him. The problems he has endured have been clearly documented, so there is no need to go over old ground.
But next season is going to be massive for him. His enthusiasm, desire and ability are there for all to see, but Vaughany needs to show it on a consistent basis now.
I really hope he shines because he is a good kid and someone I got to know well when we shared a treatment room not long ago. If he gets a proper run, he could well muscle his way into Everton’s starting line-up and that really would be a sight to behold.
Walter Smith in salute to a double
Jun 2 2009 Liverpool Echo
RANGERS manager Walter Smith believes this season’s double triumph is among his greatest achievements in football. Smith led Rangers to their first Clydesdale Bank Premier League title in four years before topping the season off with a Homecoming Scottish Cup victory over Falkirk. The 61-year-old clinched seven titles in his first spell as Rangers manager, and although he admits securing their ninth title on the trot was the pinnacle of his career, he believes lifting the Ibrox side out of the doldrums ranks highly. A second season without a trophy was already ensured when Smith took over in January 2007, but since then he has won four trophies and come second in three other competitions, including the UEFA Cup. The SPL triumph looked unlikely when Celtic led the way by seven points so Smith has savoured this season’s success.
“The nine-in-a-row thing, when you consider it was only the second time it had happened, is maybe something that has to have a whole set of circumstances to conspire for any team to achieve that,” Smith said. “This time was slightly different. We were taking over a team who were behind Celtic in the league championship and hadn’t been doing well at all, and had to lift them. “I think winning the championship this season was probably, if anything, one of the best achievements.” Smith revealed Rangers will sit down with 39-year-old former Everton defender David Weir in the coming days to discuss a one-year extension to his contract.
Joleon Lescott only has eyes for England win
Jun 2 2009
EVERTON defender Joleon Lescott wants to erase the memory of last weekend’s FA Cup final defeat by playing his part in England taking a huge step towards the World Cup. Lescott was in the side that lost to Chelsea despite taking the lead within 25 seconds of kick-off at Wembley, but he is now focused on the World Cup qualifiers against Kazakhstan and Andorra. With maximum points putting the tournament in South Africa within sight, Lescott has the perfect opportunity to forget about the defeat. "It’s definitely a chance to do that," he said. "I was disappointed at losing at the weekend but I’m fully focused." Lescott is still proud of his season, with Everton finishing fifth in the Premier League under David Moyes. "It’s great working with David Moyes," he said. "He’s defensive minded and that helps me improve my game. We’re a well organised team and that helps me as well." One of Lescott’s early appearances for England was a nervous display in the defeat to Russia – but he feels he is a different player now. "I’d like to think I’ve progressed and got better since that," he said. "For me, I was playing out of position at the time, at left-back, and I had never played there before. "I always see myself as a centre-back and now I’m playing there I’m enjoying it a lot more."
owen ... the blue?
June 2 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
EVERTON will consider a move for Michael Owen as David Moyes begins the task of lifting the club from its Wembley disappointment. The England international will leave relegated Newcastle United this summer on a Bosman transfer and is desperate to return to the north west. Moyes has long been an admirer of Owen and tried on several occasions to sign him in 2005 but could not meet Real Madrid’s £16m asking price or the player’s wage demands. Boyhood Blue Owen, however, is realistic enough to know that he will have to take a pay cut this summer following an injury-blighted spell at St James’ Park and that could make a deal much more straightforward for Everton to complete. Moyes is looking to sign a proven striker this summer and there is no doubting that Owen – who has scored 40 goals in 89 appearances for England – has a rich pedigree. It would, though, represent a gamble as Owen has suffered a number of serious fitness problems and Moyes already has two strikers in James Vaughan and Louis Saha to whom similar sentiments apply.
With Ayegbeni Yakubu also months away from returning to action, Moyes will have to think things over carefully in relation to Owen and he will also face competition from Manchester City for the 29-year-old’s signature. Owen’s name is on a list of options, one of which includes exploring the possibility of bringing Brazilian ace Jo back from Eastlands on a season-long loan following his spell in the second half of the last campaign. But it is understood that the player would welcome the chance to play for Everton and the fact he would not eat into Moyes’ transfer budget also makes the move appealing. Moyes has already held talks with chairman Bill Kenwright about how best to move the club forward during the summer and is convinced Everton are on the right path. Aside from a striker, he intends bolstering his midfield, with Cardiff’s young Wales international Joe Ledley a top target.
Moyes said: “There is no reason why Everton should not be attractive to the top players. I’d like to get the money a bit earlier this time and do some quicker deals.”
James Vaughan: It’s make or break in bid to be one of Everton’s top strikers
June 3 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
JAMES VAUGHAN has admitted next season will be make or break in his bid to become one of Everton’s top strikers. Since entering the history books with a goal on his debut in April 2005, Vaughan has endured a catalogue of serious injury problems and has only started 10 games for the Blues. That tally is something he accepts is nowhere near enough and is determined to put that right in the new campaign so he can start to fulfil his potential. Blues boss David Moyes is convinced that, with better luck, Vaughan has the talents to establish himself and many at Goodison Park hold him in the highest regard. But the player himself – who is contracted until the summer of 2011 – knows he will not be any use if he ends up spending another large chunk of the year on the sidelines. “I’ve missed a lot of football, so pre-season is going to be massive for me,” Vaughan said today. “God willing, I’ll stay fit and try and get my place in the first team. “I haven’t produced what I know I am capable of and I just want a run of games to prove that I can do it. I’m hoping I will be able to do a lot of good things for Everton. “I’ll keep ticking over (in terms of fitness) but they want me to rest as much as I can so I am right for pre-season. I feel as if I’m over the injuries and am much stronger for it. “There is a sense of disappointment at the minute but I’m sure the lads will use this as motivation when we come back next year. Our expectations will be even more next year.” Vaughan came on as 77th minute substitute for Louis Saha in the FA Cup final last Saturday but took no pleasure from the experience. He slumped to the floor in tears at the final whistle, burying his head in his shirt, but the 20-year-old has now had time to reflect and is taking positives from the experience. “It was horrible,” said Vaughan. “I’m sure in time we will look back and see what a wonderful achievement it was to get to the final but we were just so gutted that we didn’t win the game. “The belief we have in ourselves in the changing room is massive but you never know – this might be a starting point for us.”
Meanwhile, Manchester City have been linked with a move for Joleon Lescott, despite Moyes insisting on several occasions he is not for sale. No bid will be welcomed.
Mark Ward book pt1: Driven past Goodison - en route to Walton nick
Jun 3 2009 Liverpool Echo
ON the morning of Monday, May 11, 2009, Mark Ward left behind his prison identity of NM6982 and re-entered the real world. After serving four years of an eight-year jail sentence for renting a house for a drugs baron, the former Everton hero paid dearly for the biggest mistake of his life. “I've been to hell – and I'm never going back,” he declared. He has put his experiences into print. “Mark Ward – From Right Wing to B-wing . . . Premier League to Prison” is published by Football World. It's a compelling account of a once idolised footballer's fall from grace. Today the ECHO carries Part 1 of a week of extracts.
I'LL never forget the look on the face of the policeman who had the duty of handcuffing me. He was breathing heavily and bore the look of someone completely and utterly stunned. As he fastened the cuffs behind my back, he said: "What have you got yourself involved with here Mark? You're in big trouble." I was led away in the direction of where I'd left my car. As we walked, the copper told me he used to be a season ticket holder at Everton and had watched me play. It's amazing the silly things that go through the mind in moments of crisis. I had a flashback and wondered if he'd been at Goodison and cheering for me on that day, in September 1993, when I scored against Liverpool in the Merseyside derby. No wonder he looked shell-shocked.
A crowd started to gather as I was put in the back of the police van. The journey to St Helens nick was one of complete calmness and no words were spoken.
Although I knew I was in trouble, I kept telling myself: 'Just tell the truth and it will be okay. . . stay calm, you haven't done anything bad . . . you haven't killed or physically harmed anyone.' If I'd committed any crime at all, it was the fact that I'd rented a property and given access to others to use it in my absence. I was confident of satisfactorily explaining my minimal part in the whole episode. If the police had found drugs on the premises, they were certainly not mine. And I had no part in putting them there. THE radio in the van taking me from court to prison was tuned to the local station and it blasted out the bad news I never wanted to hear: “Former Everton player Mark Ward has been remanded in custody on a drugs-related charge.” I'd obviously heard my name mentioned countless times before on radio and TV during my years in top flight football, but this was a surreal moment. I could just manage to see out of the prison van window and recognised what was a familiar route. We had to pass Everton's famous ground on the way to jail and I reminisced to myself about the many carefree days when I'd driven to Goodison, eagerly looking forward to the really big games playing for my hometown team. I remembered the day I was acclaimed a hero by nearly 40,000 fellow Bluenoses for scoring twice on my debut against the mighty Arsenal. And also my goal against our big city rivals Liverpool. Now I was on my way past Everton's famous football ground in Walton, to HMP Liverpool Walton. To me, they were a world apart. The dreadful enormity of what I'd got myself into hit me hard and fast. Being refused bail in the magistrates' court that morning came as a shock and bitter disappointment. It was looking bad for me. I was worried for my family. I'd let them down terribly. How would they cope with all this bad publicity? I knew my daughter Melissa would be devastated. I'd looked across at her and the rest of the family in court that morning and the sight of Melissa's tears rolling down her face will haunt me forever. Her dad, her hero, was going to prison. As I stepped down from the dock, I heard her say “I love you, Dad.” I couldn't look back, I was too emotional, trying as hard as I could to fight back tears; I didn't want her to see me losing it.
So much was going on in my head. I was living out my very own nightmare.
That short journey to Walton in the confined space of the meat wagon was very uncomfortable. How on earth larger prisoners could travel any great distance in such cramped conditions was beyond me. There were four other prisoners on my journey and the awful stench of p**s was overwhelming. There are no toilets on board where prisoners can relieve themselves, so they just p**s on the floor of their own tiny individual cubicle. When the van came to a halt, a screw came aboard and handcuffed himself to me before escorting me into Liverpool's notorious prison. I was led to the main reception desk, where I was confronted by three screws. I could already sense some resentment towards me. The youngest of the screws said: “We've been waiting for you. You're gonna be here for a long time.” I used to be proud to wear number 7 on my back in my playing days. Now I was NM6982 – a number I'll never forget until the day I die. “Don't lose that Ward and always wear it around your neck,” he told me.
I was then shuffled along to see a more senior screw, who informed me that I was to be put on the lifers' wing – A-wing. He pushed a bundle of clothing and bedding into my arms but I nearly dropped my belongings at the thought of what he'd just told me. Lifers' wing! F******g hell – I hadn't killed anybody! Why lifers' wing? Surely that's for the evil b******s – the murderers and rapists – not me? I wondered if being sent there meant I really was looking at a long-term sentence. A surge of anger came over me – and yes, there were feelings of grave injustice too. Sure, I'd been a f*****g idiot in agreeing to rent a house for criminals who, as it turned out, were using the place to manufacture hard drugs. But I wasn't a druggie. And I didn't sell drugs to anybody either. I was no more than an accomplice but it still felt as if the whole world had turned against me. It's amazing the things that go through your mind in times of emotional crisis. I even started to question whether they had put me in with the lifers because the prison screws were all Liverpool football fans out to punish me in the worst way possible! But I knew that although the drugs and paraphernalia were not mine, and nor were they put there by me, I'd be held responsible because the property they had been discovered in was rented in my name. What a d***head I'd been.
Everton striker Yakubu confident to be ready for start of 2009/10 Premier League season
Jun 3 2009 by Philip Kirkbride, Liverpool Echo
EVERTON striker Yakubu says he will be primed and ready to go for the start of the new season. The Nigerian international is confident he can make a return to David Moyes’ squad in time to help them through to the group stages of the Europa League.
Yakubu, signed from Middlesbrough in the summer of 2007, has not featured for the Blues since rupturing his Achilles at Tottenham Hotspur in November but, back in full training at Finch Farm, believes he will be fit for the start of the 2009/10 campaign. He said: “I feel good. I’m back in training, I’ve started running, started kicking the ball and hopefully I’ll be back for the beginning of next season.
The Super Eagles striker’s words will come as a real boost to his manager and team-mates alike as Everton’s bad fortune deprived them of recognised forwards for much of the season. But with Yakubu on the road to recovery, Moyes’ men can look forward to breaking into the top four next term as well as surpassing reaching the last 16 of the UEFA Cup in 2007-08. The Europa League play-off matches will take place on August 20 and 27.
Everton FC may face River Plate in pre-season
June 4 2009 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
EVERTON could be set to add Argentinean super club River Plate to their pre-season schedule. The Blues, who are travelling to the USA for a summer training camp and will play the MLS All Stars in Utah, are reported to be in negotiations to play a high profile fixture at the Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Canada on July 25.
No opponents have been confirmed, but reports in Canada suggest that the South American giants have been pencilled in. “This is a huge achievement for us,” said Fred Kern, president of the Alberta Soccer Association. “I'm more than excited. This is like having dessert. Everton are one of the best teams in the world.” Blues boss David Moyes, meanwhile, is thrilled that Phil Jagielka, Joseph Yobo and Tim Howard have all now completed the formalities of long-term deals. “It's great that three valuable members of the squad have committed themselves to the club for a lengthy period,” said Moyes. Tim, Phil and Joseph have been big players for us over the last few years and it's great news that they will continue to be so for the forseeable future.
“I have been pleased with the way we've gone about our business. We spoke to Phil, Tim and Joseph and we got everything done and dusted efficiently and quietly, which is the way we like things.” Moyes also reiterated that he has no plans to sell any players during the summer, despite reports continuing to link Manchester City with a summer swoop for Joleon Lescott. Tim Howard, meanwhile, believes Everton are now capable of mixing it with the Premier League's top four. A second successive fifth-place finish has seen some sections of the media label David Moyes' side 'the best of the rest'. But goalkeeper Howard says the FA Cup run proved the Blues Šhave already Šmade the step up to compete with the English game's elite. Moyes' men saw off city rivals Liverpool and league champions Manchester United in earlier rounds before a valiant display ended in a narrow defeat to Champions League semi-finalists Chelsea. "We're going in the right direction," he said. "We just hope this reaching the final gives us the framework to build on next season. "We came up against the best that this country has to offer at a very high level, and we competed, we succeeded and we fell at the final hurdle.” “But that gives us confidence next season no matter who comes out of the hat, because we know we've done it already. "We've set the bar high and the expectations are there."
Mark Ward book: I shot Barry Horne at Everton FC party
June 4 2009 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
ON the morning of Monday May 11, 2009, Mark Ward left behind his prison identity of NM6982 and re-entered the real world. After serving four years of an eight-year jail sentence for renting a house for a drugs baron, the former Everton hero paid dearly for the biggest mistake of his life. "I've been to hell - and I'm never going back," he declared. He has put his experiences into print. "Mark Ward - From Right Wing to B-wing . . . Premier League to Prison" is published this Saturday by Football World. It's a compelling account of a once idolised footballer's fall from grace. Here’s part two of our week of extracts.
FOOTBALLERS and secrets go hand in hand. On a sporting level, that's often a necessity. Many professional sports people truly believe the old adage that what happens in the dressing room, stays there. It is perfectly legitimate for people to spill the beans on trivia such as who spends the longest time in the shower and other rubbish like that. Arguments and fights carry a different agenda and in any case they happen all the time. Away from the pitch, the wrong kind of publicity can cause serious damage to clubs and individual players. In exceptional circumstances, it can even end a person's career. That is one reason I'm glad that, although I once shot a man, it never made it into the papers. Let's go back to the Everton Christmas party of 1992. Our Christmas gatherings were always held at the Conti’, in the city centre, the frequently favoured venue of Everton and Liverpool players at any time of the year. The main attraction was simple: the best looking women were always to be found there. They were darlings. On any given Tuesday night, you'd be hard pressed to find more gorgeous women anywhere. A lot of the girls seemed to be there for one reason only – to ensnare a footballer. To be fair, a lot of the time the players didn't take much catching. Why would they? Our Christmas parties were always fancy dress affairs. If you didn't arrive in a costume, you didn't get in. It had been that way for years.
During the course of the evening my fellow midfielder John Ebbrell kept on sneaking up to me and slyly punching me before running off. I was dressed as Dennis The Menace. In drinking terms, 'Ebbo' was considered a bit of a softie, and I suppose he thought that taking a few playful punches at me was his best chance of winding me up. It must have been getting towards one in the morning when he punched me for the last time – quite hard actually – in the side of the head.
ON the morning of Monday May 11, 2009, Mark Ward left behind his prison identity of NM6982 and re-entered the real world. After serving four years of an eight-year jail sentence for renting a house for a drugs baron, the former Everton hero paid dearly for the biggest mistake of his life. "I've been to hell - and I'm never going back," he declared. He has put his experiences into print. "Mark Ward - From Right Wing to B-wing . . . Premier League to Prison" is published this Saturday by Football World. It's a compelling account of a once idolised footballer's fall from grace. Here’s part two of our week of extracts.
As Ebbo ran off, my brother Billy said to me: “He's out of order, Mark. Go and sort him out.” I was quite drunk by that time, having been on it since two o'clock that afternoon, so I'd been knocking back the booze for nearly 11 hours solid. As I turned to go after Ebbo, I crashed into this huge bloke, dressed as a cowboy, who was standing nearby. I later found out the John Wayne look-a-like was Dave Watson's next-door neighbour. He was enormous and his costume was accurate right down to the holster and gun – a replica, obviously, fitted up to work as a water pistol or cap-gun. That's what I assumed, anyway, as I yanked it out of the holster and staggered away looking for Popeye – aka John Ebbrell. There were three different bar areas in the Conti and I assumed he'd be skulking in the corner of one of them. But there was no sign of him in the first bar, nor the second. I walked into the third and still no Ebbo. But Neville Southall was propping up the bar and deep in conversation with Barry Horne, who was dressed as The Pope. His costume was the full works.
“You seen Ebbo?” I asked Barry. “No, why?” he responded. I waved the gun in front of him and Nev and said: “Because he's going to get some of this...“ We all fell about laughing. Barry must also have assumed it was going to fire only water. “Why don't you shoot The Pope?” he then suggested. I can't quite recall whether he raised his arms slightly or not, but we were in very close proximity, a foot or two apart at most.
At that moment I'd forgotten all about Ebbo. I raised the gun, aimed it straight at the centre of The Pope's chest and pulled the trigger. The noise was staggering, unbelievable. And as this bang reverberated around the bar, we were all stunned to see a massive flash of fire shoot from the barrel and Barry, who took a direct hit, was flung backwards. It was a real gun! There'd been a bullet in the chamber. I'd shot one of my teammates at point-blank range in the chest. The saving mercy – and thank God for it – was that the bullet was a blank, designed to crumple and ignite on impact rather than explode. Still, Barry was knocked back, and he was on fire. His robes were burning and it was only the rapid intervention of one of our mates, Roy Wright, that stopped an even more serious situation unfolding. He chucked a pint over Barry to put out the flames.
ON the morning of Monday May 11, 2009, Mark Ward left behind his prison identity of NM6982 and re-entered the real world. After serving four years of an eight-year jail sentence for renting a house for a drugs baron, the former Everton hero paid dearly for the biggest mistake of his life. "I've been to hell - and I'm never going back," he declared. He has put his experiences into print. "Mark Ward - From Right Wing to B-wing . . . Premier League to Prison" is published this Saturday by Football World. It's a compelling account of a once idolised footballer's fall from grace. Here’s part two of our week of extracts.
The shock and amazement I felt as we watched Barry's chest being extinguished is hard to describe. Everyone else who saw what happened was equally stunned. I don't think anyone even managed to say anything at all about it until the following morning – it was that unreal. I got into training early as usual. Needless to say, we were all badly hungover and all the talk among the players was about the shooting of the Pope.
Barry hadn't come in. I was starting to get worried when he finally arrived, about 20 minutes late. He had his papal tunic in his hands. He threw it on the floor at my feet, looked me straight in the eye and said: “F*****g hell, Wardy, I thought you'd killed me last night. I was only joking when I said you should shoot the Pope!”
That broke the ice and the lads fell about laughing their nuts off. THERE was a massive hole in Barry's costume. That one certainly wasn't going back to the shop.
He then pulled his T-shirt up to reveal a huge bruise on his chest, caused by the impact of the bullet. And just as he was displaying his wounds, Ebbo walked into the dressing room, oblivious to what had happened the night before.
When he heard that I'd actually been looking for him, he realised he'd had a lucky escape. Thinking about it later, I realised that if I'd caught up with John, the whole thing could have ended with dire consequences. Knowing how I was at that time – impulsive, diving into situations without thinking, doing stuff first and putting my brain into action later – I would probably have wrestled him to the ground, held the gun to his ear or temple, and pulled the trigger. I would have expected to give him a fright with an earful of water or a loud 'BANG!' from the cap. But I might actually have scarred him for life or blinded him. Apparently, as I'd dashed away from 'John Wayne' after nicking his weapon, he'd shouted after me not to shoot the gun under any circumstances. I hadn't heard him. What would the public have made of that incident if it had ever been reported in the tabloids?
BLUES MAY FACE TOP ARGIES
June 4 2009 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
EVERTON could be set to add Argentinean super club River Plate to their pre-season schedule. The Blues, who are travelling to the USA for a summer training camp and will play the MLS All Stars in Utah, are reported to be in negotiations to play a high profile fixture at the Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Canada on July 25.
No opponents have been confirmed, but reports in Canada suggest that the South American giants have been pencilled in. “This is a huge achievement for us,” said Fred Kern, president of the Alberta Soccer Association. “I'm more than excited. This is like having dessert. Everton are one of the best teams in the world.” Blues boss David Moyes, meanwhile, is thrilled that Phil Jagielka, Joseph Yobo and Tim Howard have all now completed the formalities of long-term deals. “It's great that three valuable members of the squad have committed themselves to the club for a lengthy period,” said Moyes. Tim, Phil and Joseph have been big players for us over the last few years and it's great news that they will continue to be so for the forseeable future.
“I have been pleased with the way we've gone about our business. We spoke to Phil, Tim and Joseph and we got everything done and dusted efficiently and quietly, which is the way we like things.” Moyes also reiterated that he has no plans to sell any players during the summer, despite reports continuing to link Manchester City with a summer swoop for Joleon Lescott. Tim Howard, meanwhile, believes Everton are now capable of mixing it with the Premier League's top four. A second successive fifth-place finish has seen some sections of the media label David Moyes' side 'the best of the rest'. But goalkeeper Howard says the FA Cup run proved the Blues Šhave already Šmade the step up to compete with the English game's elite. Moyes' men saw off city rivals Liverpool and league champions Manchester United in earlier rounds before a valiant display ended in a narrow defeat to Champions League semi-finalists Chelsea. "We're going in the right direction," he said. "We just hope this reaching the final gives us the framework to build on next season. "We came up against the best that this country has to offer at a very high level, and we competed, we succeeded and we fell at the final hurdle.” “But that gives us confidence next season no matter who comes out of the hat, because we know we've done it already. "We've set the bar high and the expectations are there."
Everton FC's Steven Pienaar eager for South Africa World Cup success
June 5 2009 By David Prentice
STEVEN PIENAAR'S FA Cup final appearance for Everton has seen his profile soar in his native South Africa. But the Blues midfielder played down his part as star player in the Bafana Bafana ranks ahead of a gruelling summer of international football. Pienaar is the key figure in a South Africa side which faces Poland in a friendly this weekend, before their opening Confederations Cup clash against Iraq on June 14. "There is always pressure," said Pienaar "but I’m not the kingpin in the team.
"Soccer is a team sport and I am only one part of the squad. This is about Bafana doing well for our country, not about Steven Pienaar. "I am simply a cog in the wheel and determined to play a role, but every single person – even those on the bench – are key parts of the squad and have an important role to play." Pienaar suffered a thigh strain ahead of the FA Cup final, but played the full 90 minutes at Wembley and trained normally with his national squad at Milpark yesterday . "I have been in a lot of Bafana camps over the years and this is the best team spirit I have ever encountered," he added. "This is encouraging as a happy team is a winning team and that is what we are aiming for. "I was a little concerned with the fitness aspect when we played Norway (in April). But I am pleased to say the players have looked really sharp at training." Pienaar warned that the most important game in Bafana’s Confederations Cup programme would be the opening game against Asian champions Iraq.
"This will be the hardest hurdle for us to overcome. The first game in every major tournament is difficult because we as players are nervous at the start of a competition.
"Iraq will be no pushovers, but with the spirit in camp I am confident we can get off to a winning start." Pienaar added that he enjoyed his second full season in the Premier League. "It was a great season for Everton and myself except that I was obviously disappointed to lose in the FA Cup final. But I was thrilled to have been part of the final and played at Wembley – it was an experience of a lifetime." Pienaar is not the only Evertonian in action this weekend. Tim Cahill will play for Australia in a World Cup qualifier against Qatar in the heat of Doha tomorrow, before facing Bahrain on Tuesday. But he has reassured Everton fans of his fitness. "I'm anxious to play in the next game for Australia because I want to qualify for the World Cup," he said.
"I got a bang on my hip at Wembley. It's pretty sore, but you get loads of knocks."
and just get on with it. "With the injuries I have had, I have played over 400 games, close to, so I am very happy. I am fully fit, flying, I am feeling in the shape of my life." Cahill also believes Everton are the envy of other Premier League clubs after achieving continued success on a relatively small budget. "When you see clubs like Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea spending their hundreds of millions and Arsenal you can understand why they are there and why, when they are not winning the Premier League they are getting questioned," he said. "For ourselves spending £20 to £30million a season and our achievement I think a lot of other chairmen will prefer to be doing what we're doing. "They see the manager and the players believing and wanting to play in every game. "Whether we have got knocks and kicks, the passion and the character what we show in every game." Cahill believes the team's character is best highlighted by them finishing the season strongly despite having the distraction of an FA Cup final in the back of their minds. "Everyone said we would fall away at the end of the season because we've got an FA Cup final to look at," he added.
"But you've seen every player playing in every single game wanting to finish fifth."
Mark Ward's book: Mike Walker was doomed to fail as Everton FC manager
Jun 5 2009
ON the morning of Monday May 11, 2009, Mark Ward left behind his prison identity of NM6982 and re-entered the real world. After serving four years of an eight-year jail sentence for renting a house for a drugs baron, the former Everton hero paid dearly for the biggest mistake of his life. "I've been to hell – and I'm never going back," he declared. He has put his experiences into print. "Mark Ward – From Right Wing to B-wing . . . Premier League to Prison" is published this Saturday by Football World. It's a compelling account of a once idolised footballer's fall from grace. Here’s the final part of our week of extracts.
WHEN Howard Kendall resigned in 1993, to most of us, Joe Royle, my former Oldham boss, was the obvious choice. But the board turned instead to Norwich City’s Mike Walker. Walker had taken Norwich to third in the 1992-93 Premiership, behind Manchester United and Aston Villa, but it seems the Everton board were seduced by the Canaries’ shock victory over Bayern Munich in the UEFA Cup, just a couple of months before his arrival at Goodison. That result thrust Walker into the managerial limelight and, as it turned out, took him way beyond his limits. He was a phoney from the start and, although he’d had an impressive 18 months at Norwich, I knew this job was just too big for him. The tanned Walker was the complete opposite to Howard Kendall. He’d arrive halfway through training sessions, dressed in a suit, as if he’d just stepped out of Burton’s window and stopped off at the sunbed shop en route to Bellefield. Walker got rid of Colin Harvey and left his coach, Dave Williams, to do all the training and it wasn’t long before the lads had major doubts about the new regime.
The defeat against Liverpool, in which I’d been left out, was the final straw for me.
The squad trained at Goodison before the game at Anfield the next day.
Walker got us all together in the middle of the pitch and named the team. Then he added that the subs would be from Barry Horne, Paul Rideout, John Ebbrell and myself. I was absolutely fuming that he’d put ‘Preki’ – Pedrag Radosavljevic – in the side instead of me. The little Yugoslav midfielder would cry if you went anywhere near him in training and I knew he wouldn’t get a kick in the white-hot atmosphere of a derby in which our Premiership future was on the line. By also leaving out Barry and John, two strong, hard-working players who were needed in the cut-and-thrust of a big game, it showed the manager didn’t have a clue.
ON the morning of Monday May 11, 2009, Mark Ward left behind his prison identity of NM6982 and re-entered the real world. After serving four years of an eight-year jail sentence for renting a house for a drugs baron, the former Everton hero paid dearly for the biggest mistake of his life. "I've been to hell – and I'm never going back," he declared. He has put his experiences into print. "Mark Ward – From Right Wing to B-wing . . . Premier League to Prison" is published this Saturday by Football World. It's a compelling account of a once idolised footballer's fall from grace. Here’s the final part of our week of extracts.
Maybe he’d been involved in derby matches as a player at Colchester United, or as manager when Norwich City met Ipswich Town, but he had no understanding of what a Merseyside clash was all about. I’d already ruffled Walker’s feathers at Bellefield a couple of days earlier. He was such a poseur that he’d instructed the groundstaff to paint his initials on his parking space in the car park. Everton had been led by club legends such as Harry Catterick, Howard Kendall, Colin Harvey and Billy Bingham through the years and yet none of them were vain enough to want their own name or initials marked out for all to see. I decided to show Walker just how pathetic I thought he was being. I drove into the car park early on this particular morning and noticed the new ‘M.W.’ painted on the ground where the new manager clearly intended to park his car. So what did I do? I parked my BMW there! Well, I knew he wouldn’t be in before me. I’d more than likely pass him on the way home afterwards.
After training, Walker summoned me to his office, where he abruptly demanded that I move my car out of the space reserved for him. He didn’t see the funny side of my joke. He then indicated that I "might be one of the subs at Anfield tomorrow" but I didn’t want to be left hanging in the air like that, so I challenged him. "Am I going to be a sub tomorrow?" I asked. "I haven’t decided yet," he answered. "Well I have," I told him. "I should be playing, never mind being a sub." "You have a bad attitude," he told me. "You’re a bad manager," I answered back. "So you don’t want to be sub?" he asked. "No!" I trudged away feeling absolutely gutted, knowing that Walker was going to ruin the club if he was left in charge for any period of time. I never kicked a ball for Everton again. My emotions were in turmoil – I felt so frustrated and angry at what was happening to the club I love. I was banished to the reserves but I couldn’t accept it. I’d never hidden away at any club before by playing reserve team football.
Some shameless players couldn’t give a toss and are content to see out their contract in this way, but it wasn’t for me. I decided I needed to get away from Goodison, or Mike Walker to be precise, even on loan. After training one day the whole squad was assembled by Dave Williams. The man from Burton’s window walked onto the Bellefield turf dressed immaculately in his suit and his skin seemed to glow with a slightly more orange tint from a recent sun bed session.
ON the morning of Monday May 11, 2009, Mark Ward left behind his prison identity of NM6982 and re-entered the real world. After serving four years of an eight-year jail sentence for renting a house for a drugs baron, the former Everton hero paid dearly for the biggest mistake of his life. "I've been to hell – and I'm never going back," he declared. He has put his experiences into print. "Mark Ward – From Right Wing to B-wing . . . Premier League to Prison" is published this Saturday by Football World. It's a compelling account of a once idolised footballer's fall from grace. Here’s the final part of our week of extracts.
He was briefing the lads who were involved about travel plans to Tottenham the next day. "Any questions?" he asked, ready to slope off quickly. What was said next was the final nail in Walker’s coffin at Everton as far as I was concerned. Big Neville Southall, clearly alluding to the fact that we hardly ever saw the manager, piped up: "No questions, boss, but you must have the warmest bed in Liverpool!" Typical Nev – never afraid to tell the truth. All the other lads started laughing and were all made up that the big fellow had told the manager what everybody was thinking.
Walker’s reaction was pitifully weak: "Well lads, I’ll see you tomorrow," was all he said before strolling off to his car. He’d failed to take on Nev in a battle of wills, never mind reprimand him for undermining the manager’s supposed authority.
He was already finished at Everton in the eyes of most of the players but not before he nearly took the club down into the second tier for the first time since 1954. It took Graham Stuart’s bizarre winner, a tame shot that bobbled past Dons’ keeper Hans Segers nine minutes from time, to clinch a last-gasp 3-2 home victory against Wimbledon on the last day of the season that meant relegation had been avoided.
I should have been there, fighting for the cause alongside my team-mates, but in March I’d decided instead to go out on loan to Birmingham City until the end of the season. Millwall manager Mick McCarthy wanted me on loan and I was going to the New Den until I got a call from David Sullivan, the joint-owner of Birmingham City.
Birmingham was much nearer home for me and David told me that if City managed to stay up, there would be a £50,000 bonus in it for me. Barry Fry was Birmingham’s manager at the time and I also received a call from him. It went like this: "Mark, I’ve followed your career since your Northwich days . . . come and show these c***s how to pass a ball!" I hoped that the Everton board would sack Walker and I’d be able to pull on the blue jersey once again at the start of the 1994-95 season. But, sadly, I’d definitely played my last game for the club.
Howard Kendall: Everton FC should be proud, despite FA Cup final defeat
Jun 5 2009
I REMEMBER going into the dressing room at Wembley after we lost the FA Cup final to Manchester United in 1985 and telling the players to keep their heads up.
It was a disappointing way to end but it had been a fantastic season.
I’m sure David Moyes will have said the same thing to his Everton side last weekend.
The players deserve a great deal of credit for what they’ve achieved. Fifth place in the Premier League surpassed most people’s expectations and to get to the Cup final as well was a great effort, especially considering the problems with injuries throughout the season. A lot has been said about the Cup final and I was there hoping to see the Blues lift the trophy for the sixth time. I think the conditions played a massive part in Everton’s defeat. One of their strengths this season has been the way they have closed people down as a team. But against Chelsea they didn’t have the zip or the sharpness we’ve been accustomed to. Chelsea kept the ball a lot better and Everton had to use up a lot of energy in the searing temperatures trying to get it back. Everton not only looked drained physically but also mentally. I’ve been amazed by the number of people who’ve come up to me and said we scored too early. That’s complete nonsense. Louis Saha’s strike was a superb start for the Blues but it was just unfortunate we couldn’t build on that. I don’t think we tried to hang on, it was just that Chelsea were a little bit better on the day. They had the experience and quality to keep the ball. In the first half Leon Osman and Tony Hibbert were too far apart and that meant Chelsea’s left-sided players were able to get too much space. But it wasn’t about one or two individuals not doing their jobs. All over the pitch players didn’t perform as well as they normally do. It was such a shame, especially for the fans who gave the side such magnificent support, but Evertonians can be proud of this season.
Howard Kendall: Everton FC transfer deals must be completed quickly
Jun 5 2009
DAVID MOYES has made it clear he wants to get his transfer business done much earlier this summer. The Blues can’t have a repeat of last year and he will want new faces in ready for pre-season so he can bed them in and get them playing in the friendlies. But the boss’ first priority this summer is to ensure he keeps hold of all his key players. There has already been talk of clubs coming in for Joleon Lescott and Mikel Arteta and the Blues can’t afford to lose anyone. In terms of signings, I’m sure David will be looking for quality rather than quantity. He will want players who will improve his first choice side rather than just bulk out the squad. That means signing players you know will produce the goods rather than taking a chance on someone.
One player I like the look of is Newcastle midfielder Jonas Gutierrez. I haven’t had the chance to closely analyse him but when I’ve watched Newcastle on television he’s really caught the eye. Have a great summer.
David Prentice: Everton FC's Mikel Arteta lives up to the song
June 5 2009 By David Prentice
THE Gwladys Street has always been economical with the truth when it comes to fitting lyrics to their finely crafted songs. Bobby Latchford couldn't really walk on water. The only thing regal about Andy King was his name. While most of the Blues who managed to get Wembley tickets probably did manage to have some tea last Saturday night. But there's one song which is absolutely, unequivocally correct. There's nobody better than Mikel Arteta – and statistics back that up.
The best little Spaniard they know missed a third of Everton's season, yet still topped the Blues' goal creation chart yet again. He was joined this season, however, by Steven Pienaar, whose influence continued to grow on the side as the season progressed – and whose left flank partnership with Leighton Baines was a telling weapon for the Blues.
But statistics only tell half the story when watching Mikel Arteta in full flow.
Bare figures cannot beging to express the matchless grace and subtlety of a man who embodies the club's School of Science traditions. Stats are all well and good, but there's something ethereal, elemental almost of watching an artist splash his brush about Goodison Park. Mikel Arteta might top Everton's stats chart once more – but he's also number one in the popularity parade. Again.
No deal for Cameroon midfielder Stephane M’Bia say Everton
June 6 2009 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
EVERTON last night described reports that they could resurrect their interest in Cameroon international Stephane M’Bia as “nonsense”. The 23-year-old has been told that he can leave French club Rennes. And even though, the Blues pursued M’Bia vigorously last summer, only for Rennes to dig their heels in and refuse to sell, Everton seem highly unlikely to renew that interest. The player spoke to the Blues several times and indicated his willingness to move to Goodison. But his French club would not budge. It was suggested that Everton might go back in for the midfielder yesterday, with Rennes general manager Pierre Dreossi now admitting that M’Bia would be allowed to leave this summer – at the right price. M’Bia said: “I had an agreement to leave at the end of the season if all parties are happy, so I can’t say yet what will happen. “There are many good clubs linked according to the press so let’s wait and see.” The player agreed a new deal at Rennes last season on the proviso that a release clause, triggered by an offer greater than 6.7million euros, was included in the deal.It remains to be seen how much Rennes would be prepared to accept.
With Segundo Castillo having returned to Red Star Belgrade after his season-long loan, David Moyes will be seeking extra power in midfield. But despite reports in Paris claiming that a deal with the player is already in place, Everton say otherwise.
Ex Everton and Tranmere star Tony Thomas faces £2m VAT fraud trial
June 6 2009 by Luke Traynor, Liverpool Echo
FORMER Everton FC footballer Tony Thomas is accused of helping to mastermind a £2m VAT fraud. The ex-Blue is set to stand trial at Liverpool crown court on Tuesday in connection with an alleged six-year con. Thomas, 37, is charged with conspiring to cheat the public purse along with a 14-strong gang from around the country.
The former right-back, of Templeton Crescent, Croxteth, is alleged to have sold supposed “zero-rated” goods including children’s clothes, animal feed, straw and hay to claim back VAT. But the prosecution will claim it was done using fake businesses, by falsifying invoices and by creating bogus transactions. Thomas will deny the charge. It is alleged that money obtained from the reclaimed VAT payments was spent by the gang on property. The trial, involving defendants from Liverpool, Warrington, Cheshire and Scotland, is expected to last up to eight weeks. It is alleged the conspiracy took place between 1998-2004. Thomas was arrested following an operation by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise enforcement team.
He was summonsed to court last year. If found guilty, VAT conspiracies can carry a punishment of immediate custody. Thomas joined the Blues after starting his career at the age of 15 at Tranmere Rovers and made his debut for Everton in 1997.
The right-back left Goodison in December 1998 to join Scottish outfit Motherwell.
Thomas played nearly 300 times for Tranmere Rover before his big move. But he started just eight times for Everton after struggling to find consistent form and fitness.
He retired from the game in 2001 due to injury.
Everton within touching distance of Champions League dream
June 6 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
IT is only natural for a manager to look back at the end of the season and ask the question: “what could we have done better?” Some will examine the goals against column, others will scrutinise every detail of the fixtures they played at home, while a select few will wonder whether they could have taken more points with a little more creativity. But when, in the coming weeks, David Moyes sits down to reflect over the events of 2008/09 and inevitably wonders what else he could have done to bring Evertonians more joy, there is only one possible answer. Not much. While Everton took fewer points than they did 12 months earlier, and conceded more goals, another fifth place finish, with an appearance in the FA Cup final, gave weight to the theory that the campaign just gone was the best in Moyes’ seven years at the helm. As someone who regards the league table as his bread and butter, the competition that will always take priority, Moyes would argue the year Everton broke into the top four and secured a place in the Champions League qualifiers was a better effort. Purely on numbers, he would be right but – and this is meant with the greatest respect to the players who achieved that feat – the team now is streets ahead in terms of talent and the style they try to play. To back that claim up, Everton’s tally of 63 points this year was the better than the total (61) in 2005 which gave them a shot at the big time but that is also a cause for some regret and leads to another inevitable question.
Where do they go from here? You only have to spend five minutes in Moyes’ company to ascertain in which competition he wants to manage Everton most of all – the Champions League, with all its glitz, glamour and promise of enormous cash, remains frustratingly out of his grasp for the moment. He is convinced that, if Everton can somehow smash their way into the top four and then successfully negotiate a potentially perilous qualifier, it would completely change the dynamics of the club – and he is right. With more money, Moyes would be able to go after the better players, those who make the difference in the biggest games, and give them more of an opportunity of coming out on top in games of the magnitude of the FA Cup final.
Because that, really, is all they need; Everton have shown during the past nine months that they are getting closer and closer to finding a way into the top four and results against current members, compared to 2007/08, confirm that. In 10 league and cup games against them then, the only positive result they achieved was a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge, secured by a spectacular bicycle kick from Tim Cahill after they had survived a Didier Drogba-inspired onslaught. Yet this time the improvement was vast; Chelsea were held to draws both at home and away, Arsenal were battered to the point of submission at Goodison in January, while Cahill’s late header secured a deserved draw at Anfield in the first month of the year. Manchester United, meanwhile, had Edwin van der Sar to thank for ensuring they left Goodison with a point in October, they might have won the return game at Old Trafford but the FA Cup semi-final enabled Everton to redress the balance in April. Clearly, in most quarters, they’re afforded maximum respect now and the time might come soon when Alex Ferguson starts saying disparaging things about Moyes because he is turning Everton into a genuine threat. His stock in the game has never been higher than now – as proven by the fact he was named LMA Manager of the Year for the third time – and you cannot have anything other than compliments for the way he helped turn what appeared to be a hopeless cause. Nobody will need any reminding how torrid August, September and October proved, when signings were made late, injuries caused havoc and results were dreadful, the nadir coming in a week when they surrendered in the Merseyside derby and exited two cups. Had anyone said then that things would turn around so dramatically, it would have taken a great leap of faith, particularly if you had predicted that key men such as Mikel Arteta, Ayegbeni Yakubu and Phil Jagielka would all end up suffering dreadful injuries. The squad Moyes has compiled, though, is packed with character, spirit and determination, with leaders such as Phil Neville and Cahill inspiring those around them to greater heights – look around the team and you will see many who have improved. Leighton Baines, for one, has emerged as possibly the second best English left-back, Jagielka’s peformances have been quite magnificent, while Steven Pienaar’s end of season performances were a happy footnote.
Now we await to see if they can do it again. Moyes will not tolerate any slacking – nor will his captain – and he will be anxious to see them return for pre-season with a hunger in their eyes and a spring in the step, as they are going to face big challenges from those behind, like Tottenham, Manchester City and Aston Villa.
To keep them at arm’s length, decisive action must be taken in the transfer market and there can be no repeats of what happened when 12 months ago, when a flurry of arrivals – headed by £15m Marouane Fellaini – were rushed in before the deadline.
A new striker is on the agenda – Michael Owen is on the list of possibles – while a left winger, someone like Middlesbrough’s Stewart Downing, would be welcomed in, as would a midfielder with dancing feet like Sporting Lisbon’s Joao Moutinho.
To generate extra revenue, Moyes might have to wheel and deal but if he can land two major targets, who knows what might happen? As Neville pointed out after Chelsea had ended their FA Cup dreams, the ambitions remains as fierce as ever.
“We have a man who won’t accept anything less than we have achieved this season,” said Neville. “Next season he will want to finish fourth. We have to make sure we come back better and stronger than ever.” Provided that is the case, Everton will again be a force but the final question is: can they come fourth?
Why Andy van der Meyde rant was double Dutch to Everton
June 6 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
IT was with great regret that Royal Blue heard that the toys had been thrown out of the pram in Holland earlier this week. Andy van der Meyde, having just been released by Everton, decided to do an interview with Dutch newspaper De Telegraf to explain what the future holds for him. Instead, though, it turned out to be a diatribe at David Moyes’ expense, a rant about the reasons why his dream move from Inter Milan to Goodison Park in August 2005 ended in such a disappointing manner.
“Moyes is a worthless man who tried to destroy me, but he didn’t succeed. You cannot write me off,” fumed the man who was given Everton’s number seven shirt not so long ago. “I am running on the treadmill every day and I’m fully fit – and, for once, I hope to stay fit for a while. “Last summer, I had a good pre-season, but just before the start of the campaign I suffered a six-centimetre tear in my hamstring. When I was fit, I was hardly given any opportunities. “On several occasions I was told that I would be in the squad on the Saturday, but then when I arrived at the stadium, I would end up in the stands.” Not strictly true. Van der Meyde was given every opportunity to try and revive his fortunes here but, for one reason and another, that never happened and when he looks back in time, perhaps he will realise the error of his ways.
First things first, this is not going to be a character assassination of van der Meyde, a cheap way of filling space without fear of recrimination now that he is no longer going to be around Finch Farm. Those who met van der Meyde and worked with him will tell you that he was an affable, funny guy, someone who was fine company, was a good interviewee as he spoke engagingly on any manner of subjects and always had a smile on his face – even in difficult circumstances. And, it must be emphasised, the past two years have not been far off a living hell for van der Meyde, whose baby daughter Dolce has suffered with a serious bowel complaint that has meant she has needed almost constant hospital attention. Every day after training, van der Meyde would, like any doting father, sit by her bedside, doing all he could to help ease Dolce’s pain; every now and again, doctors would allow her to return home but her condition meant the hours she spent away from Alder Hey were fraught.
Happily, she is making good progress now and hospital visits are not as regular as they once were and van der Meyde reported: “Things are going well with her. In the last two years, a number of clubs wanted to sign me. “But we were not willing to take Dolce away from that hospital and her doctors. Everton did not understand that – they thought that I was just staying here for the money. Dolce was the reason that I wanted to stay, but that was not apparent to them.” Again not quite right; everyone at Finch Farm – Moyes included – were worried about Dolce’s plight and understood the situation but, unfortunately, van der Meyde had the capacity to press the self-destruct button. It was no coincidence that every time a trip abroad was planned – be it a pre-season tour to America or, more recently, a break in Marbella – van der Meyde would pick up an injury that prevented him from travelling; how could he bond with his team-mates if he wasn’t there? Eventually, Moyes – who had handed the one-time flying Dutchman an olive branch by putting him on the bench several times in the middle of winter – lost patience and decided enough was enough when van der Meyde reported himself unfit for the friendly at Tranmere in March. With the right application, he could have forced his way back into the squad and been on the bench for the latter rounds of the FA Cup but, instead, he was jettisoned without hesitation, despite the squad being stretched. So, sadly, van der Meyde’s time on Merseyside will be remembered for two crosses – against Middlesbrough in November 2005 and the ball to Dan Gosling for that goal – plus a man of the match display against West Ham in December 2006; it was nowhere near enough. He should have given so much more as his talent was never in question; my abiding memory of him took place in a training session in Florence two summers ago, when he illuminated the session with a succession of spectacular volleys, shots and crosses with either foot. Van der Meyde was doing things with a football that morning that many can only dream about and even Mikel Arteta was left struggling to match his efforts. If things had gone to plan, Andy van der Meyde could have become one of the most exciting players of the modern era to wear a Royal Blue shirt; instead, he will be remembered as a big let down. One hopes he does not let himself down further with any more rants.
Star Sharp was pronged by a Woolly mammoth
THE problem with covering big matches down south these days is that you run the danger of sharing space with journalists who think they are more important than footballers. Sadly that was something Everton legend Graeme Sharp discovered to his cost last weekend at Wembley during the half-time interval. Sharp, one of life’s more convivial souls, was discussing how the first period had gone with a couple of members of the local media and enjoying some light refreshment. But just as he was taking a sip from his water, he was knocked into from behind and almost lost his balance; naturally, he turned round to expect an apology. That, though, was not the case; the man who had barged into him with all the grace of a Woolly mammoth, looked at Sharp and sneered at him as if he was a second class citizen. “An excuse me might have been nice?” Sharp, doing an outstanding job of keeping his temper in check, asked in hope rather than expectation. The shake of the head that came back told it’s own story; well, said individual does double up as a television presenter these days when he is not writing Janet and John stories.
BARRY HORNE: Stick for Everton's Tony Hibbert was wide of the mark at Wembley
Jun 6 2009 Liverpool Echo
SO there wasn’t a perfect end to the season. Nevertheless, as the dust settles on a memorable campaign, I think most Evertonians will have already put the disappointing result at Wembley into perspective and be proud of their team.
Some Evertonians might find that statement a little disappointing, suggesting it lacks ambition. Nothing could be further from the truth. To finish top of the also rans and to run a very, very strong Chelsea team close in the FA Cup final would be considered an achievement in any season. But to do so after a horrendous start and without three of your most influential players into the bargain must rate as a brilliant feat.
The match itself has already been analysed elsewhere. But briefly, even though Chelsea dominated the first half Petr Cech was still the busier goalkeeper in terms of decision making and having to work to protect his goal. Tim Howard barely had a save to make, then Everton had a spell after half-time which should have been capped with a second goal.On that moment, for me, the game turned – and overall the better team won. I would like to make mention of Tony Hibbert, one of my favourite players, who I believe has received a disproportionate amount of criticism.
I may be wrong, but it looked to me as though he was playing to a plan.
Chelsea’s preferred route to goal is through the middle of ther park and it looked like Everton were playing to prevent that. It appeared to me that full-backs Hibbert and Baines had been told to tuck in and take a chance on Anelka and Malouda.
But Guus Hiddink pulled a masterstroke by insisting his two wingers stay on the touchlines and that’s where Everton’s problems arose. Tony Hibbert is rarely beaten in a one-against-one situation, but this time he was simply too far away from his man.
Ashley Cole was mysteriously given the Man of the Match award inside the stadium.
Steven Pienaar, Florent Malouda and Nicolas Anelka would all have been worthier recipients. But for me the best player on the pitch by some way was Frank Lampard.
Why the FA got it so wrong at Wembley
TWO friends of mine were ejected from Wembley Stadium last weekend.
Judging from reports in the Echo last week, they weren’t alone. Their ‘crime’ was to sit in a so-called mixed area of the ground. There was much criticism of the FA’s distribution of tickets for the Cup final, largely as a result of the Club Wembley scheme and partially as a result of where the FA’s own allocation ends up.
This caused major problems on the day which the FA really needs to address in future.
The friends of mine who were ejected are decent, respectable, loyal Everton fans.
The process used by the stewards for their eviction seemed to be random.
What does the FA expect if they give 40,000 tickets to people who have no affiliation to either of the FA Cup finalists? If people are legally buying tickets for a Cup final, what right does a steward have to throw them out? It’s an appalling state of affairs and one that the FA clearly hasn’t thought through properly. They must look at and amend their stewarding immediately.
On This Day: John Bailey gets his dream Mersey move
June 6 2009 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
THIRTY years ago this weekend, there was a shock Tory victory in Liverpool and Bootle, making it a clean sweep for the Conservatives on Merseyside and North Wales in the European elections. And as the Tory landslide throughout Britain gave them a three-to-one victory, Lancashire West also elected a Conservative.
Although predictions were that the Tory success would give them about 60 of the 81 seats Britain has on the European Parliament at Strasbourg, the Liverpool result came as a big shock. As far as footballing matters were concerned three decades ago today, Everton manager Gordon Lee was moving in for Blackburn Rovers’ highly rated full-back John Bailey. The 22-year-old Bailey, who was born in Liverpool, had been in the sights of Lee for some time, with the defender anxious to join the Blues.
With the player’s contract up, Blackburn could not stop the move, and if there is no agreement on the fee then the issue would be settled by the independent tribunal.
The Third Division club were likely to ask in excess of £300,000 with Everton probably starting the bidding at around £250,000. Before leaving home to travel to Goodison for talks, Bailey said: “It has been an ambition of mine to play in the First Division, preferably with a Liverpool club.” Across the park, Liverpool’s Emlyn Hughes received the news that he may play alongside club-mate Phil Thompson in the final match of England’s tour against Austria. In the team announced by manager Ron Greenwood, Hughes would feature if regular centre half Dave Watson failed to recover from an ankle injury. Watson came off in the friendly against Sweden, being replaced by Phil Thompson.
Steven Pienaar and Everton stars not for sale - David Moyes
Jun 8 2009 by Philip Kirkbride, Liverpool Echo
STEVEN PIENAAR has emerged as a summer transfer target for Spanish giants Atletico Madrid – but Everton boss David Moyes says he will not be selling any of his top stars. The La Liga club are said to be showing an interest in the 27-year-old after a fine season at Goodison Park but Moyes has warned clubs they will be wasting their time trying to lure players like Pienaar away from Merseyside. Reports also suggest Russian outfit Rubin Kazan are showing an interest in the winger but Moyes has clearly stated he will not be looking to offload his best players, even to raise funds for his own pre-season spending. Moyes said: “People are always going to be linked with your good players, and they might see Everton as not having that much finance, but there’s no way we’ll be letting any of our players leave. “The chairman has said that and I’ve made it clear. Everyone is under contract. "The one thing we’ve got at Everton is stability with our players. "They are all under long-term contracts and we don’t need the money. “I’d like money to spend, but I won’t be giving up any of my players to raise that money. “I feel the way we’ve done it where we’ve had to build and work with players and make them better, and juggle one or two a little bit, I think that gives you more pleasure than going out and buying the finished article.”
South African Pienaar is on international duty and limped out of the1-0 win over Poland on Saturday following a ‘ferocious’ tackle but has reassured Evertonians and Bafana Bafana fans the injury is not serious and he will be fit to face Iraq.
Speaking to reporters in his homeland, Pienaar said: “As you can see, my ankle is swollen, but I’m fine. “What I need to do is to put it into ice and I will be fine.
"I will definitely be available for the game against Iraq, no doubt about that.
“Their coach Leo Beenhakker knows me from my days at Ajax Amsterdam.
"He used to be the Technical Director at Amsterdam when I was still there and he did warn me that he would tell his players to mark me tight, but instead they got a bit rough you know, but like I said I will be fit for the game against Iraq.”
Steven Pienaar close to new four year deal with Everton FC
Jun 9 2009 by Philip Kirkbride, Liverpool Echo
EVERTON are understood to have ended the growing speculation over Steven Pienaar’s future by agreeing a new four year contract. The South African international yesterday urged Everton to offer him fresh terms after interest from Spanish giants Atletico Madrid gathered pace this week. News he looks set to sign a new contract will come as a huge relief to the club and its fans. Pienaar has made no secret of his desire to one day test himself in La Liga but it is believed he will now put pen to paper on a deal to keep him at Goodison Park until 2013. With just two years remaining on his existing deal, Pienaar’s future was looking uncertain as a host of Europe’s top clubs were considering bids for one of the Blues’ top performers in the last campaign.
Pienaar has admitted the lure of playing Champions League football was a strong one, something reported suitors Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan could have offered him but, on international duty with Bafana Bafana, Pienaar will return to England to officially sign the contract which is reported to be worth £40,000 a week to the former Ajax man. A superb second half to the season saw Pienaar become one of Everton’s creative leaders on the pitch and the South African went on to spearhead the Blues’ charge towards Europa League qualification and an FA Cup final. The news Pienaar has agreed to remain at Goodison Park reiterates manager David Moyes’ pledge that he will not be selling his top stars this summer to help fund his pre-season spending plans. Pienaar had said: “It has been a happy two years so far and I am delighted to have played a small part in the success we have achieved in finishing fifth in consecutive seasons and reaching the FA Cup final, but you never know in football what tomorrow will bring. “I am a proud Everton player at present and would welcome it if the club moved to secure my long-term future, but that kind of thing is out of my hands.” Meanwhile the club have confirmed their third pre-season friendly of the summer, a July 18 trip to League Two Rochdale
Stuart Pearce tips Everton star Jack Rodwell for Euro under-21 glory with England
Jun 8 2009
ENGLAND Under-21 manager Stuart Pearce has called on his team to make up for the heartbreak of crashing out on penalties at the European Championships two years ago by going one better this time around. England were knocked out by Holland in the semi-finals, even though they led with a minute left in normal time. Only four players – Joe Hart, Nedum Onuoha, James Milner and Mark Noble – from that marathon 13-12 shoot-out defeat are in the squad for the tournament in Sweden, but Pearce is confident the others understand how much it hurt. “It’s made us stronger, definitely,” he said. “Most of the staff that went two years ago are the same staff again.
“We’ve got a few players in this squad who were there, but I think the players who have joined the camp have picked up very quickly over this two-year period what we’re trying to achieve and to build from two years ago. “Even the new boys have picked things up very quickly and that’s credit to them. “I’ve been to three semi-finals in four tournaments so I’d like to go one further and go and win a trophy.”
Captain Steven Taylor, an instrumental figure in the 2007 championship, is not part of the squad because of an Achilles injury and Pearce added: “Steven is a big loss. He was absolutely crestfallen not to be involved. “He’s been a big part of the team for three years and I’d like to win the trophy for him as much as anything.”
Pearce acknowledged that a number of players have the opportunity to showcase their talent in Sweden, as Taylor did two years ago. “I think there’ll be one or two players who’ll enhance their reputations this summer,” he said. “Danny Rose is one who’s just joined us, James Tomkins will, Everton’s Jack Rodwell is another.
“There’s great young talent and if they get their opportunity they’ll take it.”
“This time two years ago, Ashley Young just prior to the tournament had got a big-money move to Aston Villa. “At the time I wasn’t sure whether it was a little bit too much but having worked with him two years ago in this tournament, the first thing I did was ring Martin O’Neill and say, ’You’ve got an absolute bargain on your hands with this kid’.” England face Azerbaijan Under-21s in a friendly at stadium:mk tonight before flying to Sweden on Thursday ahead of the opening fixture with Finland a week today.
Socceroo Tim Cahill heading for the World Cup finals again with Australia
Jun 8 2009 Liverpool Echo
TIM CAHILL is heading for the World Cup finals again, after Australia clinched their place in South Africa at the weekend. The Socceroos became the second country from the Asian qualifying zone to reach the 2010 World Cup after they secured the single point they needed with a goalless draw against Qatar in Doha. And Everton star Cahill believes that, after he helped his country to qualify from the group stages for the first time in Germany in 2006, they can cope with the increased expectation levels next year. “We all play in the some of the biggest leagues in the world and are successful in our own right,” said Cahill. “Those sorts of pressures we want to entice and want to deal with” “Everyone is expecting us to do better than the last time. “I’m not going to say we’re going to do better but we’re going to give everything.” With Japan having earlier booked their passage with victory in Uzbekistan, Pim Verbeek’s side sewed up the second automatic spot in Group A and can consider themselves quite unfortunate not to have taken all three points. The Aussies came closest to breaking the deadlock 10 minutes after the interval when, Cahill headed a corner goalwards and Chris Coyne neatly flicked the ball past goalkeeper Qasem Burhan only for Mesaad Al Hamad to clear off the line. Holland joined Australia in next year’s finals with a 2-1 victory over Iceland in Reykjavik.
Everton youngster Shane Duffy misses date with world champs Italy
Jun 8 2009 Liverpool Echo
EVERTON Academy star Shane Duffy missed out on a dream international debut against the world champions Italy on Saturday night – because of a pre-match agreement hatched between Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington and his Italian counterpart Marcello Lippi. Northern Ireland slumped to a 3-0 loss in Pisa, with Giuseppe Rossi, Pasquale Foggia and Sergio Pellissier all scoring their first international goals. But while both teams made numerous changes in the friendly international, only Everton’s 17-year-old centre-back did not take to the field in the Arena Garibaldi due to an agreement Worthington struck with Lippi before the game that only six substitutes would be used. “I would have liked to have given him a little bit,” admitted Worthington. “It’s unfortunate because he was first class.
“I had a word with him and, even though he did not play, he has had a great season and played with the Under-19s.” Northern Ireland goalkeepers Jonathan Tuffey and Alan Mannus prevented a heavier defeat. Lippi fielded an experimental side featuring representatives of some of Italy’s lesser known clubs such as Chievo, Catania and Udinese. Although the likes of Pellissier, Giuseppe Mascara and Gaetano D’Agostino are yet to become household names, Worthington insisted they were still on a different level to his side. Worthington handed debuts to Crusaders defender Colin Coates and striker Martin Donnelly while Coleraine’s Stephen Carson was also in his starting XI for the first time. “The Italians are very big, very strong and they have a lot of quality in there,” said Worthington. “You just have to look at the clubs they are coming from.” With Duffy left to kick his heels in frustration on the substitutes' bench, the youngest player on the pitch was Italy’s 18-year-old full-back Davide Santon, with the Inter starlet taking plenty of plaudits.
Jack Rodwell in seventh heaven as England Under 21s rout Azerbaijan
Jun 9 2009 Liverpool Echo
ENGLAND Under-21 coach Stuart Pearce is confident he will not suffer withdrawals for the European Championships like he did two years ago. Pearce’s youngsters – who warmed up for the tournament with a 7-0 win over Azerbaijan last night at stadium:mk including a goal from Everton’s Jack Rodwell – already travel to Sweden without injured players such as skipper Steven Taylor, Aaron Lennon, Tom Huddlestone and Danny Welbeck. For the 2007 campaign David Bentley was too tired to play and Gabriel Agbonlahor could not be contacted to confirm his call-up for the finals – but Pearce insists he now has a squad desperate to play. He said: “The spirit is too good in the camp. They all want to be there and go. “I’m fortunate enough that I’ve had these boys for the last eight days, they’ve shared each others company and have been fantastic on the training pitch and have taken that camaraderie onto the pitch. If anyone missed it through injury they would be crestfallen, like my captain (Taylor) was a few days ago when we had to send him back to Newcastle but it gives other players a chance to come in and show us what they can do.” Along with Rodwell’s strike, Kieran Gibbs scored twice, there were two own goals and Michael Mancienne and Craig Gardner also netted.
Everton FC linked to Leeds United midfielder Fabian Delph
June 10 2009 by James Pearce, Liverpool Echo
EVERTON were today linked with a move for highly-rated Leeds United midfielder Fabian Delph. The 19-year-old England Under-21 international was voted the Football League’s Young Player of the Year and boss David Moyes is rumoured to be looking to secure a £4million deal to bring him to Goodison. However, the ECHO understands no bid has yet been made. The Bradford-born youngster is a product of the club’s academy who has spent the past eight years at Leeds. He was a revelation last season for the League One club and Moyes was among a number of bosses who flocked to Elland Road to monitor his progress. Leeds manager Simon Grayson was determined to hold on to him but following the club’s failure to secure promotion in the play-offs they have reluctantly decided to cash in their asset. Manchester United, Fulham and Sunderland have also been linked with Delph, while Newcastle United had a bid rejected by chairman Ken Bates last year. Delph was crowned Football League Young Player of the Year and was named in the PFA League One Team of the Year.
He also swept the board at Leeds’ end of season awards as he landed the young player of the season, goal of the season and players’ player of the season accolades.
Meanwhile, Reading midfielder Stephen Hunt has alerted Everton to his availability this summer. The Republic of Ireland international was linked with a move to Goodison last year but a deal failed to materialise and he ended up signing a new contract. However, following Reading’s failure to earn promotion Hunt admits he is looking for a move. He said: “I am happy at Reading, but in terms of my future, I’ve been loyal to Reading, maybe a fresh start would be good for me.”
Everton FC skipper Phil Neville hungry to face Argentina's River Plate
June 11 2009 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
EVERTON have confirmed a prestigious pre-season friendly match against Argentinian giants River Plate this summer. The match against the Buenos Aires club – first reported in the Echo last week – will take place on July 25 in Canada at The Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton, a 60,000 all-seated venue. Kick off will be at 7.30pm local time (26 July, 2.30am BST). River Plate will form a centre-piece of a colourful and contrasting pre-season programme for the Blues which kicks off in Ghana on July 12, includes Rochdale and the MLS All Stars, and now has the 33-times winners of the Argentinean football league pencilled in. River Plate have provided some of the biggest names in the history of their national game – Alfredo di Stefano, Daniel Passarella, Leopoldo Luque, Mario Kempes, Oscar Ruggeri and Gabriel Batistuta have all worn the famous white shirt with the distinctive red diagonal stripe across the chest. Everton captain Phil Neville is excited by the prospect. “Everyone who knows football knows about River Plate,” he said. “I am really looking forward to the match and it will, of course, be a very tough test for us at that stage of our pre-season preparation. “Any games between English and Argentinean teams will be good ones and although this is a friendly for both of us, I’m sure it will be keenly contested.” Sheffield Wednesday, meanwhile, have been linked with a summer move for young Everton striker Victor Anichebe. Owls’ manager, Brian Laws, is keen to bolster his attacking options and will see if David Moyes would consider a season-long loan. The Owls scored 51 goals in 46 Championship matches last season, with former Everton forward Francis Jeffers hitting the target just three times in 32 appearances. Anichebe’s season was ended prematurely when he suffered a knee injury in February which required surgery. That injury came in a rare start, only his ninth of the season, and the young striker was forced to apologise after a heated exchange with manager David Moyes over his lack of first team opportunities.
Everton’s England Under-21 international Jack Rodwell, meanwhile, has spoken of his delight at scoring his first goal for England’s youth side on Monday night.
The midfielder earned his second cap for Stuart Pearce’s outfit during a 7-0 thrashing of Azerbaijan and scored with a long range shot which took a sizeable deflection.
“As far as I’ve seen, it just went straight in the goal,” he said. “People can tell me it got deflected on the way but I’m not quite sure about that. “Obviously I’d like to claim it and cap the game with a goal. “Just to get on the pitch for the U21s is an honour and to get on the scoresheet is brilliant.”
Everton FC's Joleon Lescott wants holiday, not Man City move
June 12 2009 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
JOLEON LESCOTT has admitted he is unhappy with speculation linking him with a move to Manchester City. But the Everton defender says the only thing on his mind at present is a holiday. The 26-year-old, who won his seventh England cap on Wednesday, has been the subject of increasing speculation about a £15m-plus bid from Manchester City this summer. But Lescott bristled when asked about the stories while on international duty this week. The former Wolverhampton Wanderers star has established himself as a firm favourite at Goodison in the last three seasons.
“We do not see much of the media side when we are away with England, but you cannot stop the papers speculating,” he declared. “It is not a question I want to be answering, and no-one has said anything to me other than I am an Everton player.
“I am going on holiday now with my family to wind down for the next couple of weeks and then I will come back fully focused on getting fit for pre-season.”
David Moyes has stressed several times already this summer that he does not want to lose any of his top stars. And the most successful manager in the club’s history has tipped Moyes to bring silverware to the club in the near future. Moyes guided Everton to the FA Cup final and into fifth place in the Barclays Premier League last term.
And Kendall, who won two league titles, an FA Cup and European Cup Winner’s Cup during his tenure at Goodison, explained: “The first trophy is very important to David. Once you have achieved success you get a bit more confident and you get hungry for more. “The only way a manager can go about his job is to never be satisfied unless you are number one.” Moyes was linked with the Celtic job before Everton’s Wembley date, and Kendall added: “When any job becomes available then David Moyes is going to be linked with it. But I am sure he is committed to Everton and committed to winning a trophy.”
England starting place was delight for Everton FC's Joleon Lescott
Jun 12 2009 Liverpool Echo
JOLEON LESCOTT admits his inclusion in the England starting XI against Andorra came as a complete surprise – but the Everton defender intends to do all he can to become a permanent fixture in Fabio Capello’s side. England boss Capello juggled his team somewhat for the final match of the season against minnows Andorra, who were swept aside 6-0 at Wembley on Wednesday night. However, the result was inevitable as England maintained their 100% record to move 10 points clear of both Ukraine and Croatia at the top of Group six and now need a maximum of four points from their final three games to rubber stamp their ticket to the World Cup. West Ham defender Matthew Upson had widely been expected to again start alongside captain John Terry at centre-back because of the absence of injured Rio Ferdinand. However, after being given the nod by Capello, 26-year-old former Wolves man Lescott wants more of the same next season. “Going into the game, I did not expect to play because Matt has been doing well recently,” said the Goodison Park defender. “It was a surprise to me, and I only knew when we had a meeting at 5.45pm and my name was down in the team. “I have just got to stay focused and give it my all when I come to join up with England by training hard.” Lescott hopes the chance to play in Europe for the Toffees, who reached the FA Cup final and finished fifth, next season will only serve to boost his international ambitions. “Maybe not so much Champions League, but playing European football does help a lot,” he said. “The Europa League will be a great standard and we will be in there next season. “If I can establish myself playing European football, then who knows?” Lescott feels he can only improve from playing alongside the likes of England skipper Terry. “His presence alone is immense,” said the Everton defender. “JT is always talking and is a natural born leader.
“If I can take a few of his attributes into my game, then I am sure I will be getting more experienced with it. West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green, meanwhile, is content to play a patient waiting game as he bids to become England's regular number one.
The 29-year-old was handed his first competitive caps in the World Cup qualifiers against Kazakhstan and Andorra.. “’Jamo’ (David James) has done fantastically well, and you have just got to keep plugging away for your club, waiting for chances and being ready. That is the virtue of being a goalkeeper,” said Green, who has three more years of his West Ham contract to run, with the club keen to retain his services in the long-term.
Everton FC's Steven Pienaar fit to kick off South Africa’s Confederations Cup campaign against Iraq
June 13 2009 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
STEVEN PIENAAR is fit to kick off South Africa’s Confederations Cup campaign against Iraq tomorrow. The Everton midfielder limped out of the host nation’s final warm up match against Poland last week. But after Bafana Bafana’s final training session yesterday he declared: “I am okay. The injury is not a problem. I did not train this week as I was feeling sick and was weak. But I feel fine today.” Pienaar ended the season in outstanding form for the Blues, and he hopes to continue that level when South Africa play the first match in the FIFA tournament tomorrow afternoon.
“It has been a fantastic season for me and I want to keep the form going right through the Confederations Cup,” he added. “We must go out and play our normal game against Iraq. We must not put ourselves under pressure but playing at home we need to secure three points and set up a winning platform.” The clash, the opening game in a tournament which is a full dress rehearsal for next summer’s World Cup finals, will attract a full house to watch the host nation. Asked whether he thought the large crowd will lift South Africa, Pienaar said: “I’m happy because I haven’t experienced playing in front of a full house in my country with the national team. “Last year we struggled for big crowds and it hasn’t been good for the players.
“Now we can count on their support and that will add extra excitement.”
Everton FC to take part in UEFA’s new five-referee experiment
June 13 2009 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
EVERTON will be among the first teams to take part in a new refereeing experiment next season – UEFA's decision to employ two extra assistant referees behind the goal-lines in the Europa League. It means that the Blues, Aston Villa and Fulham will play their European matches with five match officials, all communicating via headsets.
The idea was the brainchild of UEFA president, Michel Platini. He has been championing the scheme as an alternative to goal-line technology. The scheme was tested last year in some European under-19 championship games and now Platini plans to extend it.
Everton FC in Europa League play-off
June 13 2009 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
INTERNET rumours have surfaced in the past week that Everton may somehow sneak straight into the group stages of the new Europa League next season. Sadly, not so.
Suggestion was that the Blues might be accelerated directly into the group stages of the competition, because last season’s UEFA Cup winners, Shakhtar Donetsk, will not defend their title after qualifying for next season’s Champions League. But Everton secretary, Dave Harrison, confirmed last week that the Goodison club have been informed they will play in the play-off round. That means David Moyes' men will contest a two-legged play-off round with ties played on August 20 and 27 – but unlike last season the Blues will be seeded this time. There are also three qualifying rounds prior to the Play-Off round, which Everton have sidestepped courtesy of finishing fifth. Seventh-placed Fulham, however, who claimed the final English place, must get through the final qualifying round in order to reach the play-off stage – the last step before the Europa League itself. Confused?. “We want to give the UEFA Cup something more popular, more European, different to the Champions League,” said Michel Platini.
Everton FC shareholder who tracked down Will Cuff family
June 13 2009 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
EVERTON shareholder Paul Wharton is Goodison’s very own private eye. A cross between Sherlock Holmes and Sam Spade, he has made it his personal mission to investigate and unearth long-lost information about the heritage and history of his beloved Blues. Responsible for the popular Shareholders’ Association evenings devoted to Ben Chambers and George Mahon, he recently unearthed a long-lost image of club founding father Chambers. Next week he jets out to Chile – and while much is already known about CD Everton thanks to the work of Los Ruleteros Society, Paul says he intends to head across to Uruguay to establish links with the Everton which plays in that country. But his latest success came in tracking down descendants of ‘The Last of the Domingans’ – the great Will Cuff. A St Domingo’s church-goer who devoted more than 50 years service to Everton during the pioneering years of the club’s history, Cuff became one of the most influential voices in pre-War football.
After his death in 1949 his family emigrated to Australia and were not heard of again – until Paul pulled on his deerstalker and took a puff on his briar pipe.
Last week he said: “I have just had a memorable week that will stay with me for the rest of my life. “Friday night, the day before the Cup Final. I eventually met the Cuff Family in the Hilton Hotel Euston. They had travelled all the way from Perth, Australia. “I walked into the hotel bar, walked right over to them and said you're Charlie Cuff. “Charlie, who is 72 years old left Liverpool for Oz when he was a 10 year old boy. He is the grandson of ‘The Last Domingan’ and the greatest Evertonian that lived, William Charles Cuff. “The little boy who was a member of St Domingo Football Club gave Everton FC 54 years of service. “Cup Final Day began with an interview with Radio Merseyside on Wembley Way. The Cuff family were amazed at the Blue Army of Everton coming down Wembley Way, the way we sang, not only before and during the game but afterwards. “They said ‘What would it have been like if we had won?’ “Sunday after breakfast, I drove the Cuff Family and my family up to Liverpool and they still couldnt get over how our fans sang. “We come into Broadgreen where Charlie was born, I welcomed Charlie back to Liverpool after a gap of 62 years. “Monday, we all went to Dixie's statue at Goodison Park to meet a good friend of the Shareholders Association, the acclaimed author of ‘Thank God for Football’ and ‘Across the Park’, Peter Lupson. “We went on a tour of the Cuff Family houses where St Domingo stood, Anfield Cemetry to see Will’s grave which was a very emotional experience for Charlie, then over to Parkgate on the Wirral to see where the Holywell Hotel once stood, where Charlie used to visit grandfather.
“On Tuesday, I had arranged for Charlie, Phillip and Judith to meet Robert Elstone at Goodison, we had a tour of the ground by young Dave Hickson, then another Radio Merseyside interview. “Then out of the blue, a fellow Evertonian, Tom Kelly, had rushed from the city centre to Goodison with a montage of past greats to present to the family. “He had heard the interview on Saturday and said his father always talked about Will Cuff. What a gesture. “On Friday evening I had arranged a get together of our Association and their guests to show Will's family how much we still appreciate the efforts Will gave to Everton Football Club.” Cuff established values and traditions on the playing side that have filtered down through the generations. But his legacy has been largely forgotten. Thanks to the work of diligent investigators like Paul Wharton that legacy has been revisited and remembered. Goodison’s Columbo, take a bow!
Everton FC goalkeeper Tim Howard wants another clean sheet
June 15 2009 By David Prentice
EVERTON keeper Tim Howard – who kept a club record number of clean sheets last season – will "scratch, claw and fight" to try and extend that impressive sequence against world champions Italy tonight. USA kick off their Confederations Cup campaign against Italy in Pretoria tonight, with Howard admitting: "We're nobody's favourite for the title. We know that. But we're going to scratch, claw and fight to get some results here." With Brazil, Italy and Egypt in their group, the Blues keeper accepts he could be busy over the next week. "We must use this tournament to build up our momentum game by game and look forward to 2010 as a great opportunity," added Howard. "I believe I play in the best league in the world, so I am up against top quality strikers all the time. "As a professional, if you don't test yourself against the best you won't know your own ability." After an arduous season in the Premier League and the disappointment of an FA Cup final defeat, Howard acknowledged it was not easy to keep focused. "We all face that challenge but if you want to be recognised as a full international or recognised as someone at the top of your game, then that's what is required," he said. "There is a responsibility as an international player to get yourself fit and mentally prepared. At the end of a long season it is never easy but the best players do it without complaint." Joseph Yobo, another Everton player to see his season extended by internationals, has ensured a frustrating summer so far.
Not selected for Nigeria's 3-0 defeat of Kenya last weekend, his journey to a Maltese training camp ahead of this weekend's World Cup qualifier against Tunisia has been delayed after he was one of three unable to secure a visa. John Utaka and Israeli-based keeper Dele Aiyenugba were also denied visas and the Nigerian FA is frantically trying to resolve the problem so all three can join up with the squad. The Blues, meanwhile, have confirmed over the weekend that Nuno Valente and Andy van der Meyde have been released at their end of their contracts and Segundo Castillo has returned to Red Star Belgrade at the end of his loan spell. Youngsters John Irving, John Paul Kissock, Scott Spencer, Eunan O'Kane and Cory Sinnott have also been released by the Club. Academy players Thomas McCready, Luke Powell, Michael Jensen and Daniel Redmond have also left. Valente made just two appearances last season, while van der Meyde made a solitary contribution – admittedly a memorable one – the cross from which Dan Gosling scored the FA Cup derby matchwinner.
Everton FC's Steven Pienaar returns for Boks
June 16 2009 by James Pearce, Liverpool Echo
EVERTON midfielder Steven Pienaar will return to South Africa’s starting line up for their make or break clash with New Zealand in the Confederations Cup tomorrow.
Illness limited the 27-year-old to a late substitute appearance in the host nation’s disappointing goalless draw with Iraq on Sunday and he was sorely missed.
But Pienaar is back firing on all cylinders and determined to help secure victory over the Kiwis to keep alive their hopes of a semi-final spot. “I was ill the whole week, that’s why I started on the bench, but I feel much better now and things should be okay,” Pienaar said. “We are definitely disappointed because we expected a lot from the game against Iraq. “If you can get three points in the opening game, it normally takes a lot of pressure off a team. But it was difficult for the guys to break them down.
“Now we have our backs against the wall. But we just have to stay focused and there are still two games, so we’ll have to give everything.” Meanwhile, Blues goalkeeper Tim Howard couldn’t prevent USA from suffering a 3-1 defeat to world champions Italy. The Americans had to play for nearly an hour with 10 men after midfielder Ricardo Clark saw red for hacking down Gennaro Gattuso. Landon Donovan put USA ahead from the penalty spot with his 40th international goal before the break but substitute Giuseppe Rossi fired in a stunning equaliser from 30 yards. Howard was beaten by another long range shot from Daniele De Rossi. Giuseppe Rossi added a third. Meanwhile, Jack Rodwell was a late sub as England Under-21s began their European Championship campaign with a 2-1 win over Finland.
Steven Pienaar returns for South Africa in Confederations Cup
June 16 2009 by James Pearce, Liverpool Echo
EVERTON midfielder Steven Pienaar will return to South Africa’s starting line up for their make or break clash with New Zealand in the Confederations Cup tomorrow.
Illness limited the 27-year-old to a late substitute appearance in the host nation’s disappointing goalless draw with Iraq on Sunday and he was sorely missed.
But Pienaar is back firing on all cylinders and determined to help secure victory over the Kiwis to keep alive their hopes of a semi-final spot. “I was ill the whole week, that’s why I started on the bench, but I feel much better now and things should be okay,” Pienaar said. “We are definitely disappointed because we expected a lot from the game against Iraq. “If you can get three points in the opening game, it normally takes a lot of pressure off a team. "But it was difficult for the guys to break them down.“Now we have our backs against the wall. But we just have to stay focused and there are still two games, so we’ll have to give everything.” Meanwhile, Blues goalkeeper Tim Howard couldn’t prevent USA from suffering a 3-1 defeat to world champions Italy. The Americans had to play for nearly an hour with 10 men after midfielder Ricardo Clark saw red for hacking down Gennaro Gattuso. Landon Donovan put USA ahead from the penalty spot with his 40th international goal before the break but substitute Giuseppe Rossi fired in a stunning equaliser from 30 yards. Howard was beaten by another long range shot from Daniele De Rossi who added a third for the Italians. Meanwhile, Jack Rodwell was a late sub as England Under-21s began their European Championship campaign with a 2-1 win over Finland.
Everton Foundation coach Dawn Georgeson in Shanghai - a true blue in a red world
Jun 16 2009 by Mark Thomas, Liverpool Echo
In his second report for Shanghai Mark Thomas meets an Evertonian who is a long way from home
FOOTBALL-LOVING Dawn Georgeson has signed for Everton – to help improve the lives of disabled people almost 6,000 miles from home. John Moores University sports development graduate Dawn, 22, is the Everton Foundation’s latest recruit, and has gone to Liverpool’s twin city of Shanghai to spend at least a year working as a disability coach. With fellow coach Liam Redican, 23, who has been in Shanghai for three months, the pair are proving great ambassadors for the People’s Club in the People’s Republic. We caught up with Dawn as she took a coaching session with some special needs children at a Sunshine School in Shanghai, helping them learn simple ball skills. “The idea is to let the game be the teacher,” says Dawn. “We let the kids learn their own methods to touch a ball. “We ask them to travel around an area with a ball as many ways as possible. A child might pick the ball up – he might be a goalkeeper. Then he might start using the inside of his foot, or his toes.” Her pupils include both disabled and able-bodied people, with conditions ranging from learning difficulties to cerebral palsy and autism. “When you see a child who has been frustrated trying to kick a ball and they do it and their face lights up, nothing comes close to that feeling. You make that connection with that child and it is a great feeling.”
In his second report for Shanghai Mark Thomas meets an Evertonian who is a long way from home
While at JMU, Dawn worked as a volunteer with Everton in the Community, which was recently renamed the Everton Foundation, and when she saw the job as a Shanghai disability coach advertised, leapt at the chance to apply. The Everton programme in Shanghai is sponsored by Tesco, and works closely with Shanghai Disabled Persons Federation (SDPF). Last year the three organisations ran four soccer camps together, and this year they are looking to increase that to five. The Everton programme also supports classes at 20 special schools in and around the city, from its base at Shanghai Disabled Persons Sports Training Centre, in the Hong Kou district.
“Our sponsors Tesco have been a great help with finding equipment for us, but we could definitely do with more sponsorship support if anyone out there would like to help,” says Dawn. It takes a lot of nerve for a 22-year-old woman to pack up and move, alone, to work on the other side of the world. But she is settling in fast, helped greatly by colleague Liam, who she has known since they both started on the Everton volunteer programme together. “When Liam came out here he didn’t know anyone, but at least Liam has been here to help me. He was my lifeline. It is bizarre having to realise you don’t do anything the same way as in England and understanding the culture. “The food is great though, and the people are so welcoming wherever you go. I am building up a great network of friends already, and the other week I got to go dragon boat racing. “The boats were twice as long as the ones in Liverpool, with 20 to a boat. It was great fun.”
In his second report for Shanghai Mark Thomas meets an Evertonian who is a long way from home
Thanks to the internet, Dawn, originally from the Isle of Man, is fighting off the worst pangs of homesickness. She smiles: “I miss my friends and family, especially my granny, but it’s a great invention, Skype!” Dawn has bought a bicycle, one of the most popular means of transport in Shanghai despite the chaotic traffic, and has already picked up a smattering of Chinese. “I can say things like please and thank you. Now I am learning Chinese words for things like ‘pass’ and ‘dribble’.” Dawn, who has loved football since she used to go for a kick-about with her father when she was a small child, played striker for her home club in the Isle of Man, Rushen United, from the age of 13. But there is little question that Everton is the club for her now. “They are the people’s club and they really want to be out there in the community and do things from the grass roots right up to the elite,” says Dawn. “They aren’t the richest club but they really are the family club. They do it because it is an opportunity to be there for the community and put something back. “I absolutely love my job. It doesn’t even feel like a job half the time. And I think the Chinese are beautiful people.”
Everton FC: Fixtures 2009/10
Everton FC Fixtures 2009-2010
June 17 1009 Liverpool Echo
August
15 - Arsenal H
19 - Man City A
22 - Burnley A
29 - Wigan H
September
12 - Fulham A
19 - Blackburn H
26 - Portsmouth A
October
3 - Stoke H
17 - Wolverhampton H
24 - Bolton A
31 - Aston Villa H
November
7 - West Ham A
21 - Man Utd A
28 - Liverpool H
December
5 - Tottenham H
12 - Chelsea A
15 - Hull A
19 - Birmingham H
26 - Sunderland A
28 - Burnley H
January
9 - Arsenal A
16 - Man City H
27 - Sunderland H
30 - Wigan A
February
6 - Liverpool A
10 - Chelsea H
20 - Man Utd H
27 - Tottenham A
March
6 - Hull H
13 - Birmingham A
20 - Bolton H
27 - Wolverhampton A
April
3 - West Ham H
10 - Aston Villa A
17 - Blackburn A
24 - Fulham H
May
1 - Stoke A
9 - Portsmouth H
Cup dates >>>>>>>>>>
UEFA Europa League
Play-off, 1st leg 20.08.2009
Play-off, 2nd leg 27.08.2009
Group stage, Matchday 1 17.09.2009
Group stage, Matchday 2 01.10.2009
Group stage, Matchday 3 22.10.2009
Group stage, Matchday 4 05.11.2009
Group stage, Matchday 5 02/03.12.2009
Group stage, Matchday 6 16/17.12.2009
Round of 32, 1st leg 18.02.2010
Round of 32, 2nd leg 25.02.2010
Round of 16, 1st leg 11.03.2010
Round of 16 2nd leg 18.03.2010
Quarter-finals, 1st leg 01.04.2010
Quarter-finals, 2nd leg 08.04.2010
Semi-finals, 1st leg 22.04.2010
Semi-finals, 2nd leg 29.04.2010
Final (Hamburg, Germany) 12.05.2010
Carling Cup
Round 3 w/c 21st September 2009
Round 4 w/c 26th October 2009
Round 5 w/c 30th November 2009
Semi Final 1 w/c 4th January 2010
Semi Final 2 w/c 18th January 2010
Final Sunday 28th February 2010 (Wembley Stadium)
FA Cup
Third Round Saturday 2 January 2010
Fourth Round Saturday 23 January 2010
Fifth Round Saturday 13 February 2010
Sixth Round Saturday 6 March 2010
Semi-Final Saturday 10 April & Sunday 11 April 2010
Final Saturday 15 May 2010
Stephane Mbia keen on Blues switch - Everton FC latest
June 17 2009 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
CAMEROON midfielder Stephane Mbia has issued a direct come and get me plea to Everton manager David Moyes. The 23-year-old has told Rennes that he wants to leave, and Goodison Park is his preferred destination. “I have been aware of Everton's interest since last year when I almost joined them,” he said. “I am keen to join them because, if what is reported is true, they have said that they want me and that they value me as a player. “I am waiting on news. I have not heard anything yet, but for me it is time to move on in my career. “I have already told the club (Rennes) of my desire to leave but they have the final say. They know and understand my position.”
The holding midfielder was originally targeted by David Moyes last close season, but Rennes refused to sell and the player later declared he was hoping for interest from higher profile clubs. There has been no suggestion 12 months on that Everton are prepared to renew their interest. The Blues did make an enquiry a week ago for Sheffield United's promising right-back Kyle Naughton. But Everton officials deny that they have lodged a £5m bid, as reported yesterday. The Goodison club asked about the 20-year-old a week ago, but both clubs’ valuation of the player were miles apart and Everton have not been back in touch since. Naughton is one of the most promising talents outside the Premier League and has been linked with a move to the top flight this summer. It now remains to be seen whether David Moyes will return and match Sheffield United’s valuation, although that seems unlikely. Meanwhile, Louis Saha is ready to rebuff any summer moves for his signature and build on last season’s late flourish at Everton. The Frenchman, who scored the fastest FA Cup final goal of all-time after 25 seconds, is reported to be the subject of interest from Turkish club Besiktas. Various sources in Turkey and France suggest the Istanbul-based club are prepared to splash out around £1.7m. But Saha declared: “I have not been contacted by any team. I want to repay David Moyes for taking a chance on me. Unless he decides he does not want me, I can’t see myself leaving.” Saha only joined Everton from Manchester United last summer, penning a two-year contract.
He struggled with injuries last term, a problem which has plagued his career to date, but looked sharp towards the end of the campaign.
Original FA Cup heading to Everton FC for first time since 1906
June 18 2009 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
THE FA Cup is coming back to Goodison Park – after an absence of more than a century. Everton, who failed at the final hurdle to land the most iconic silverware in British football in May, have now landed the original trophy – last seen on Merseyside in 1906! The FA Cup will be on display in the Marquee at Goodison Park from Thursday June 25 as a centrepiece to the Everton Collection's FA Cup exhibition – along with the current trophy, won by Chelsea at Wembley. Everton shareholder Tony Tighe has helped secure the prestigious trophy for the four day exhibition.
The present FA Cup trophy is actually the fourth piece of silverware commissioned by the FA. The first, the 'little tin idol', was stolen from a Birmingham shoe shop window in 1895 and was never seen again. The FA fined Aston Villa, the holders, £25 to pay for a replacement. The second trophy was a replica of the first, and was last used in 1910 before being presented to the FA's long-serving president Lord Kinnaird.
It was sold at Christie's four years ago for £420,000 (£478,400 including auction fees and taxes) to David Gold, the chairman of Birmingham City. Gold has since loaned this trophy to the National Football Museum in Preston North End's Deepdale Stadium.A new, larger, trophy was bought by the FA in 1911 designed and manufactured by Fattorini's of Bradford and won by Bradford City in its first outing, the only time a team from Bradford has reached the final. This trophy still exists but is now too fragile to be used, so an exact replica was made by Toye, Kenning and Spencer and has been in use since the 1992 final. Everton's FA Cup exhibition kicks off on Thursday 25 June from 9.30am, as a precursor to the opening of the club's newly refurbished store “Everton One” for the first time. The store opens at 9am on Saturday 27 June, when Blues fans will be able to buy the new home kit for the first time. The exhibition in the Marquee will be the first time that any Premier League Football Club has been able to show so much memorabilia surrounding the world's premier football cup competition. Artefacts on display will include the ball from the 1933 Cup Final, Duncan Ferguson's tartan inlay football boots from the 1995 final and, of course, the oldest and the latest FA Cups. Turkish club Besiktas, meanwhile, claim to have made contact with Everton over striker Louis Saha.
“We have contact with Saha,” Besiktas' general secretary Kenan Oner told the Turkish press. “We’ve taken steps forward on this issue. There’s been good developments.”
Only last week, however, Saha said: “I have not been contacted by any team. I want to repay David Moyes for taking a chance on me.”
Everton's Tim Cahill hailed as Australian World Cup hero
June 18 2009 by James Pearce, Liverpool Echo
TIM CAHILL today admitted his two-goal heroics which assured Australia of top spot in their World Cup qualifying group provided the perfect end to a turbulent week.
The Everton midfielder netted twice in the second half as the Socceroos fought back from a goal down to beat Japan 2-1 in Melbourne. In the build up to the game the 29-year-old had been dogged by reports that he had been thrown out of a Sydney nightclub for being drunk following the Australian Football Awards. He strongly denied those claims but his mood wasn’t helped when he learned of having memorabilia stolen from his brother’s home. However, all that was forgotten at the MCG as Goodison hero Cahill took his impressive tally to 16 goals in 33 international appearances. “It’s been a hard week,” Cahill said. “To see the first goal celebration when I made the sign of the heart, it was basically to show all the fans how much I appreciate the support. “Sometimes in football, you have to live with these things and people chase things that are not there. But the one thing I do is let my football do the talking. “We’re professionals that play all over the world. We have to be professional and, yes, we do love to enjoy ourselves in our own time, in a manageable way.
“But when people chase things that aren’t there, it is disheartening and saddening.
“But most of all I feel that we have to do a service to our country and we have to make sure we’re at the top of our game. “And hopefully I justified that I always stay at the top of my game and I justified the fact that I love playing for my country.” Australia had already secured their passage to South Africa and Cahill is relishing the chance to grace the World Cup finals once again next year. “It’s just amazing for us and the fans to share such a beautiful moment,” he said. “The showing from the Melbourne crowd was exceptional. For us, it was great to put on a performance that really left something in the hearts of the Australians. “But it was that bit more special because it brought back the memories of Germany and now going into South Africa hopefully we can relive that. “To qualify for the World Cup two times in a row, we’ve made something special. “I lot of kids out there rely on us to produce the goods. As players, all we try and do is try and set good examples.” Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek led the tributes to Cahill, who also struck twice against Japan in the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
“Timmy is a great player,” he said. “His first goal was great. It’s fantastic to have a player like him in your team.” Meanwhile, Sheffield United boss Kevin Blackwell insists Everton have not made contact with him over Kyle Naughton. Some reports have suggested the Blades turned down a £3.5million bid from the Blues for the highly-rated 20-year-old full-back. “Nobody from Everton has contacted me about Kyle so as far as I am concerned there is nothing in it,” Blackwell said.
“I am not aware of anything from anybody else.” Everton’s Steven Pienaar helped hosts South Africa claim a 2-0 win over New Zealand in the Confederations Cup last night.
Phil Jagielka aims for a November comeback for Everton
June 18 2009 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
THE fixture computer has handed Everton defender Phil Jagielka a major incentive in his rehabilitation bid. The unlucky England and Everton star has targeted a November comeback from the cruciate knee ligament injury which cruelly ended his season five weeks early. And that’s the month which will see Everton involved in two of their biggest clashes of the season, Manchester United and the first derby of the season at Goodison Park. Jagielka is looking forward to being thrown back in at the deep end.
He said: “I’ve been trying not to set myself any targets but I’ve been aiming for November. “I’m going to see the surgeon in the next few weeks though and hopefully he’ll be able to give me a date that I can realistically aim for.” Everton’s fixture list has already changed just 24 hours after the new season’s fixtures were released.
After a stern test against the Gunners on the opening day, Everton face a trip to Burnley the following Saturday – but a midweek trip to Manchester City has already been put back because of commitments in the play-off round of the Europa League.
With Jagielka having to watch his team-mates from the sidelines, he can afford to have a smile on his face when he predicts that they should have few problems getting off to a good start. He said: “The fixtures we’ve been given are not too hard.
“We have a couple of home games in there so hopefully we’ll be able to get some points on the board early on!” Skipper Phil Neville is also targeting a positive start to the season after Arsenal were confirmed as the visitors to Goodison Park for the opening day of the campaign. “I am like every other football fan when the fixtures come out,” Neville said. “We all want to know who we have got in the first few weeks and over Christmas and the new year. “The opening fixture of a new season is always an exciting one anyway, but the fact that we are playing a side like Arsenal adds even more spice to the occasion.” “A full house at Goodison on day one is always something special and we will be looking to get off to a good start.”
Everton chief executive Robert Elstone delighted with season ticket sales
Jun 20 2009 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
EVERTON Chief Executive Robert Elstone was delighted to this week see the club exceed last year’s total number of season ticket sales. With a fifth place finish in the Premiership and a double booking at Wembley last season, fans have dug deep in the hope of seeing the Goodison outfit go on to the next step and finally clinch the silverware that manager David Moyes so desperately craves. Elstone said: "It's great news with season tickets. Within the last day or two, we've just gone past last year's total, which is absolutely fantastic. “With seven weeks to go until the big opening game against Arsenal, to be past last year's total is fantastic so I'm really, really pleased with that.” Elstone highlighted the positive sales figures are a reflection on the loyalty of fans – as over 23,000 Evertonians have defied the credit crunch to show their dedication to follow next season’s campaign. “We've put out some good offers - reduced prices in certain key areas and offered different ways to pay, and it's certainly paid dividends,” Elstone added. "The fantastic climax to the season obviously helped as well but a combination of all of these means we are delighted to be past last year's total, which augers fantastically for a full stadium next season.”
The original FA Cup goes on display at Goodison
June 20 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
THE unique Everton Collection FA Cup exhibition kicks off on Thursday June 25, from 9.30am in the Marquee at Goodison Park. During the four day event the club's newly refurbished store “Everton One” will open its doors for the first time at 9am on Saturday 27 June, when Blues fans will be able to buy the new home kit for the first time. As a club it is well known how Everton has embraced innovation and “firsts” throughout it's history. The outstanding Everton Collection currently being prepared for a full launch in September this year, is no exception. The exhibition in the Marquee will be the first time that any Premier League club has been able to show so much memorabilia surrounding the world's premier football cup competition.
The famous trophy will be there, as will many Everton FA Cup artefacts never seen for many years by football supporters. What about the actual ball from the 1933 Cup Final? Or Duncan Ferguson's tartan inlay football boots from the 1995 FA Cup Final?
Pride of place however will be a trophy never seen before at Goodison for over 100 years, the 1906 FA Cup trophy won by the victorious Everton team led by Jack Taylor.The Cup is the oldest existing FA Cup trophy and was used between 1896 and 1910. It was presented to Lord Kinnaird of the FA upon his retirement and auction house Christie's sold it a number of years back to David Gold,the chairman of Birmingham. Over recent weeks, and in conjunction with new retail partner Kitbag, Everton has been busy creating a new and ground-breaking shopping experience for its fans. The new matchday store will and will stock more Everton essentials than ever before.
Everton opening day shocks in Royal Blue world
June 20 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
THE opening day of the new football season was traditionally a time for shock results. A day when anything was possible – when teams with even the most modest of aspirations could dream of being crowned champions. Nottingham Forest did it in 1978. Promoted from the old Second Division in third place, they were league champions 12 months later – and European champions a year after that. Which is just like Burnley lifting the Champions League trophy in two years time. That won’t happen. It can’t happen now. Football has changed. But Evertonians will view the visit of Arsenal on the opening day of next season as an opportunity to lay down a marker in a bid for a top four finish. The Gunners won’t relish the trip, Everton will.
But as a taster, here’s a few opening day shocks which rocked the Royal Blue world.
Aug 18th, 1956: Leeds 5, Everton 1 NEW Everton boss Ian Buchan used a cunning psychological ploy to undermine newly promoted Leeds United on their first day back in the big time for a decade. “We’ll get off the team bus and jog the last two miles to Elland Road,” he barked. “They’ll be surprised by how super-fit we are.”
They were surprised at how shattered Everton were – coasting to a 5-1 win.
Buchan’s revolutionary methods saw Everton lose six of their opening seven games.
Aug 21, 1976: QPR 0 Everton 4 THERE’S no underestimating the shock waves this result sent through the old First Division. Dave Sexton’s vibrant young Rangers side had missed out on the 1975-76 title by a point. Billy Bingham’s side had struggled to mid-table mediocrity – during a season when they had been humiliated 5-0 at Loftus Road – but in the glorious summer sunshine Everton were inspired. They had defender Dave Jones sent off after 20 minutes. But sporting a smart new Umbro kit (with diamonds down the sleeves, no less) the 10-men sparkled, they won 4-0. George Wood even saved a penalty. Sadly Bingham didn’t build on the victory – and was sacked four months later.
Aug 20, 1977: Everton 1 Nottingham Forest 3
THE Toffees suffered a shock even before Brian Clough’s team of unknowns arrived at Goodison. Local authorities slashed Everton’s 55,000 plus capacity to 35,000 while essential building work was carried out. Georgie Wood and Dave Thomas made their debuts – but the Blues were stunned when a team which scraped promotion in third place the previous season ran riot.
Aug 25, 1984: Everton 1 Spurs 4
THE 1984/85 campaign was the most successful season in Everton’s history . . . eventually. On day one, however, the sun shone, the FA Cup and Charity Shield were paraded around the ground to an expectant audience – and an acquiescent official even awarded a soft penalty which Adrian Heath converted. Then Clive Allen woke up and showed some of the goalscoring form which would see him bag 49 goals two seasons later.
Aug 18, 1979: Everton 2, Norwich 4
GORDON LEE hatched a master plan for the opening day of the 1979-80 season: use a pacy and mobile central defensive partnership of Billy Wright and Colin Todd against a Norwich team which hadn’t won away for two years. The only problem was that both were several inches short of six feet, while Justin Fashanu towered above them like, according to the Daily Post’s colourful Horace Yates “an upstanding 18-year-old like a mountain peak standing over the rest of the range.” He scored twice and Everton collapsed.
Aug 16, 1975: Everton 1, Coventry 4
EVERTON had missed out on the league title by just three points the previous season.
Coventry were just six points away from relegation. But the team wearing green and black stripes rocked the Toffees. A David Cross hat-trick ensured Liverpool old boy and Coventry boss Gordon Milne was celebrating.
Aug 27, 1988: Everton 4 Newcastle 0
IT was the latest start to a top flight season since the first post-War campaign kicked off on August 31, but Everton wasted no time once hostilities commenced.
Tony Cottee scored after 32 seconds of his debut and went on to celebrate a hat-trick.
Colin Harvey’s expensively assembled new-look side, including Pat Nevin, Neil McDonald, Stuart McCall and Cottee, went on to win 4-0 and raise Evertonian expectations . . . soon dashed.
Aug 25, 1990: Everton 2 Leeds 3
THE 80s had gone, and the first opening day of the 1990s signalled the end of an Everton era. The Blues found themselves 3-0 down at half-time to newly promoted Leeds – and frustrated Neville Southall staged a half-time sit in on his goalpost. Everton rallied but it wasn’t enough.
Burnley close on Lars Jacobsen - Everton FC Latest
June 22 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
BURNLEY are poised to step up their attempts to sign Lars Jacobsen.
The Denmark international seemed destined to extend his stay with Everton by another season when he played in the FA Cup final against Chelsea last month.
Jacobsen revealed after that 2-1 defeat that he planned to hold talks with Blues boss David Moyes once he had played for his country in a World Cup qualifier in Sweden and hoped for a positive outcome. However, there has since been an impasse in discussions and Everton’s pursuit of Sheffield United’s right-back Kyle Naughton means that the odds on Jacobsen starting the new campaign at Goodison Park are lengthening. Newly-promoted Burnley are anxious to bolster their squad ahead of their first ever Premier League campaign and Jacobsen is high on manager Owen Coyle’s hit list. Though no decision has yet been made, the fact Jacobsen would be almost guaranteed regular football at Turf Moor could prove to be decisive.
“I’m looking for players in every area,” said Coyle. “I want players to come here who want to play football and not be content with just sitting on the bench.
“I don’t want anyone who just wants to pick up the money. Anybody who comes here will find themselves with a great opportunity. We have made some offers.”
Jacobsen became Moyes’ first signing last summer when he arrived on a free transfer following his release from FC Nuremburg and, though he dislocated his shoulder in his first couple of weeks at the club, went on to make six appearances.
With Moyes currentlly away on holiday, there has been little sign of any incoming transfers but Leighton Baines is confident that Everton’s manager will once again pull a couple of rabbits from the hat before the window closes. Baines said: “It’s been proven time and again that he gets it right. He won’t be rushed. He’s shown that in the past. He’ll make sure he gets the right person at the right price.” Meanwhile, Jack Rodwell will be hoping for an extended runout tonight when Stuart Pearce’s England Under-21s play their final group game in the European Championships against Germany.
Everton FC's Jack Rodwell hungry for more after stealing the Under-21 show
June 23 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
JACK RODWELL today vowed there is more to come after he marked his first England Under-21 start with a goalscoring, man-of-the-match performance.
Everton’s young midfielder made the most of the golden opportunity Stuart Pearce handed him in Halmstad last night by dominating in the 1-1 draw with Germany.
His first half header enabled England to top Group B and they are now favourites to win the European Championship. Rodwell must now have an outstanding chance of starting in the semi-final – the identity of who England face will be decided tonight – but he is keeping his feet on the floor. He appreciates that there is still much to be done to convince head coach Pearce that he is worthy of a regular starting place and has promised to step up his efforts “You have always got to aim to improve,” said Rodwell, who signed a new five-year contract with the Blues earlier this year.
“ But it wasn’t just about me – the whole team did well. “But I really enjoyed it and it was great to get a goal on my first start. It was even better we managed to get through to the semis. The boys have done well and we have to keep it up. “We have got the semi-final to look forward to later this week now and you have just got to take your chance and hope you do enough to keep in the manager’s thoughts. “It’s the same for every other player. We have got a great bunch of lads and we are all in it together. There is a great spirit and we hope that we can go all the way. I’m confident.”
Pearce made 10 changes to his starting line-up but was taken aback by the levels Rodwell showed against Germany and has seen a dramatic improvement in his confidence the longer the tournament has progressed. “He was beyond his years,” said Pearce. “I told him three weeks ago I need to hear his voice more - and I have heard him more and more. “Every day he has flourished more and more.” Meanwhile, Everton today have rubbished reports they are weighing up a bid to hijack Kevin Doyle’s switch from Reading to Wolves. The Republic of Ireland international’s name has never been on David Moyes’ radar and the Everton manager is busy pursuing high profile alternatives.
Premier League top four targeted by Everton's Joseph Yobo
Jun 23 2009 by Chris Beesley, Liverpool Echo
EVERTON defender Joseph Yobo has backed the club to break into the top four of the Premier League. The Nigerian international’s future at Goodison Park had looked in doubt in the latter stages of last season as he edged towards the final year of his contract while struggling to get a regular place in the starting line-up due to the impressive form of Phil Jagielka and Joleon Lescott’s central defensive partnership.
However, after signing a new five-year deal with the club, Yobo, who was manager David Moyes’s first major signing in 2002, is now looking forward to a bright future at Goodison. The 28-year-old was part of the Everton team that finished fourth in 2005 and after now helping Moyes’s men to consecutive fifth-place finishes, he is again backing his team-mates to secure a Champions League spot – providing that Moyes his given sufficient funds to strengthen his squad. Yobo said: “With a better financial backing, we can be in the top four before long. “We have a very bright future ahead. We have finished these past two seasons within the top six and we are still growing as a team. “I believe that in the very near future we will break into the top four in England.” Despite some encouraging form personally, Yobo endured a nightmare second season with Everton as the team came 17th with just 39 points in 2003/04 – just 12 months after finishing seventh. However, Yobo believes those dark days have now long gone and he was pleased with the way the side soldiered on to pip Aston Villa for fifth spot last term despite suffering long-term injuries to his compatriots Ayegbeni Yakubu and Victor Anichebe plus Mikel Arteta and Jagielka.
He said: “I’m happy I have been a big part of this club that has made such great progress. “At the beginning for me in England, it was as if I had made a wrong decision to go there, but now we are fighting to be in the top four. “We lost some big players like Yakubu through injury during the season, but typical Everton, when a player steps out, another player steps into his place. “We missed them when they were not there and it will be good to have them back in the team. But, at the same time, we have coped in their absence.” Jagielka’s heartbreaking injury suffered just a week after he’d scored the winning penalty at Wembley in the semi-final shoot-out victory over Manchester United handed Yobo with the chance to play in the FA Cup Final but the fact he failed to break his trophy duck with the club still rankles him. Everton took the lead after just 25 seconds as Louis Saha netted the fastest goal in FA Cup Final history but Yobo and his team-mates were unable to hold on as Chelsea hit back to triumph 2-1. Yobo said: “It was very disappointing we did not win the Cup. “This was our biggest game in a while and we had the chance to make history. We prepared so well but at the end of the day, we did not make it. “We went ahead in the final and a typical Everton team would have held on to this goal and won the Cup. “But credit to Chelsea, they fought back to win the game. “We now have to move on and look to a very bright future.”
Former Everton FC player Andy King thanks fans for best wishes during his illness
Jun2 24 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
ANDY KING has issued a huge thank you to all Evertonians who have inundated him with well wishes after he suffered a heart attack. As a man who played with carefree zest and energy – and enjoyed making a nuisance of himself in derby games – King retains the affections of all Blues from a certain era. So it was no surprise that many voiced their concerns after learning that he had fallen ill over the weekend and were anxious to learn of his plight. King is currently in hospital awaiting to undergo an angiogram that will ascertain the extent of the damage he has suffered but, typically, the 52-year-old is taking a positive outlook. And his spirits have been lifted by the messages of support he has received, along with a phone call from chairman Bill Kenwright that came out of the blue. “I’d just like to thank everyone for all their good wishes and it says everything about the kind of football club Everton is,” said King.
“The first phone call I received when I came into hospital was from Bill Kenwright and that was overwhelming. “Financially he might not be able to match (Roman) Abramovich but he has never made that out to be the case; Bill is a Blue and having a chairman like that means more than having someone with stacks of money who doesn’t care for the club. “It’s more than 25 years since I last played for Everton yet the chairman still felt compelled to ring me straight away. That symbolises the kind of care and warmth the club has as a whole.” Signed by Billy Bingham in April 1976, King was a precocious talent when he arrived from Luton Town and quickly made a name for himself on the Gwladys Street thanks to the energy and passion in his displays. That bond was cemented in October 1978 when he scored the goal that gave Everton their first win over Liverpool in seven years – a 20-yard volley which flew past Ray Clemence – and he was talked of as being a contender to play for England. He was eventually sold to Queens Park Rangers two years later but never made any secret of the affection he held for the Blues and once claimed he would “crawl back over broken glass” to play at Goodison again. Howard Kendall made that wish come true in 1982 but a string of injuries stopped his progress and he never really established himself in a team that went to become the best in England for a period and he joined the Dutch club Cambuur Leewarden. In total, the 248 appearances he made during two spells on Merseyside yielded 67 goals and he has been given a warm welcome whenever he has returned to these parts in the time since. “It’s humbling that people have been concerned about me and it’s just a question of waiting now for the results of the angiogram,” said King, who had a couple of spells scouting for Everton in between managerial jobs with Swindon Town and Grays Athletic. “Hopefully everything will be ok in the long run and in time, I’ll make a full recovery; with a bit of luck I’ll be fit enough to give Tim Cahill a run for his money!”
Portraits of Everton FC’s founding fathers presented to chief executive Robert Elstone
June 24 2009 by Samantha Parker, Liverpool Echo
Portraits of Everton FC’s founding fathers presented to chief executive Robert Elstone
MEMORABILIA expert David France presented portraits of Everton FC’s founding fathers to the club’s chief executive. Robert Elstone was given a special preview of the six pictures at a showing this week. They depict John Houlding, George Mahon, John McKenna, Dr James Baxter, the Reverend Ben Chambers and Will Cuff.
They were the driving forces behind the club’s birth as St Domingo FC in 1878 – 14 years before a row over money saw a split and the creation of Liverpool FC.
Mr Chambers was minister at St Domingo Methodist Chapel in Everton.
Houlding owned Everton’s original home, off Anfield Road, which later became Liverpool’s Anfield ground. Cuff was Everton’s manager between 1901 and 1918.
Everton FC star Jack Rodwell flattered by Rio Ferdinand comparisons
Jun 24 2009 Liverpool Echo
EVERTON youngster Jack Rodwell swopped shirts with Rio Ferdinand last season and hopes to eventually emulate the Manchester United centre-back.
Rodwell played in a defensive midfield role for England Under-21s against Germany on Monday but has been tipped to drop back into defence, just as Ferdinand did at West Ham at the start of his career. “I have heard the comparisons,” Rodwell said. “It’s brilliant to be compared with such a player as Rio Ferdinand. I try to base it on my own game. I do like to play out from the back, so that’s probably why they have played me in midfield because I am comfortable on the ball.” Everton boss David Moyes also played Rodwell mostly in midfield for his 25 appearances last season but it is Ferdinand’s current position where the 18-year-old sees his future. Rodwell faced Ferdinand at Wembley for the FA Cup semi-final and exchanged shirts afterwards.
“I tapped him up after the game to make sure I got it,” Rodwell said. “I was on a high anyway because we had won but I went straight over to the United lads because I wanted Rio’s shirt. I just asked him and he gave it me so I was buzzing. He took mine as well.” He added: “I have started to play in midfield and I believe that Rio did the same when he was younger and then moved back to centre-half. “I am not sure what will happen with me but I look up to him.” Versatility is a strength for Rodwell, particularly with England having so many candidates for centre-back places in Fabio Capello’s seniors. The teenager’s advantage is that he is comfortable in defence of midfield. “At the moment there are a lot of good centre-halves at England,” he said. “John Terry and Rio Ferdinand, Joleon Lescott and Phil Jagielka at Everton. There are not as many centre-mids which is an area you can work towards with the senior squad.” Rodwell is pushing for a starting place in the semi-final against Sweden after starring against Germany.
United States stun Spain
Jun 24 2009
The United States will contest the Confederations Cup final after causing a huge upset in Bloemfontein tonight by inflicting a first defeat on Spain since 2006.
Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey scored the goals as underdogs USA, having lost their opening two games in the tournament and only squeezed through Group B by the skin of their teeth, set up a final showdown against either Brazil or hosts South Africa on Sunday. The result was one of the biggest shocks in recent international history, with the all-conquering Spanish having broken the record for consecutive wins with their 15th on the trot against South Africa at the weekend. The European champions would also have claimed the record for the longest unbeaten run if they had avoided defeat tonight, having drawn level with Brazil’s run of 35 in that South Africa match.
Even the 86th-minute dismissal of Michael Bradley - son of coach Bob - could not deny the USA, who were left to celebrate a famous victory. The Americans started brightly and Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas found his goal under threat from Altidore and Charlie Davies early on. Davies’ then threatened again with a glancing header across the face of goal, and when Dempsey drilled a 25-yard shot just wide in the eighth minute, the Spanish must have wondered what was going on. The world’s top-ranked side did not take long to fashion some chances of their own though.
Cesc Fabregas sent a dipping shot over the bar and then the Arsenal captain threaded over a superb cross that Fernando Torres was just unable to convert at the far post.
That was all in a breathless opening 12 minutes, and both sides continued to push forward before the US took a shock lead through Altidore in the 26th minute.
Dempsey played the ball into his strike-partner on the edge of the box and the 19-year-old was allowed to turn Villarreal team-mate Joan Capdevila far too easily before firing in a shot that Casillas got his hand to but could not keep out. That was the first goal Spain had conceded in their Confederations Cup campaign and only the third since Vicente del Bosque took over last summer, with this being the 14th match under the former Real Madrid boss. The Spanish were under real pressure and, after David Villa had blazed a half-chance over the bar, the US had a great chance to make it 2-0.
Two US players were unmarked at the far post as they raced in to meet Landon Donovan’s free-kick, but while captain Carlos Bocanegra was probably the better placed, Dempsey stretched to get his head to the ball and could not get it on target.
Despite that wasted opportunity, the US still held onto their 1-0 lead until the break, with Tim Howard sticking out a foot to deny Torres at his near post just before the interval. With their proud record in danger, Spain came out at the start of the second half with all guns blazing. Just two minutes after the re-start Howard produced a superb save to tip away Villa’s effort, before Xabi Alonso fired a rising shot just over the crossbar. It was all one-way traffic and Villa and Albert Riera both tried their luck, while Xavi had a good shout for a penalty following a challenge by Donovan inside the area. The shots continued to rain in on Howard’s goal, with the Everton custodian doing well to keep out efforts from Fabregas and Sergio Ramos in quick succession.
Spain could not find the breakthrough though, and their hopes of reaching the final were crushed when the US netted their second goal in the 74th minute.
Donovan’s low cross should really have been cleared by Ramos at the far post, but Dempsey showed quick reactions to prod the ball away from the Real Madrid defender and past Casillas. Spain got a brief glimmer of hope when Bradley was shown a red card for a heavy challenge on Alonso, but Del Bosque’s side could not take advantage as the slumped to their first loss since going down 1-0 at home to Romania in a friendly in November, 2006.
David Moyes set to rebuff Man City's bid for Joleon Lescott: Everton FC latest
June 24 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
EVERTON will give Manchester City short shrift if the Eastlands club officially make a £15m bid to sign star defender Joleon Lescott. It is an open secret in Manchester that Lescott is one of five players that Mark Hughes wants to sign this summer – the others being Carlos Tevez, Gareth Barry, Roque Santa Cruz and Samuel Eto’o. With the signatures of Barry and Santa Cruz already secured and Tevez poised to follow shortly, City are now ready to up their efforts to land Lescott. They first let their intentions be known in January but never followed up with a formal approach.
Now, though, that is about to change with City understood to be ready to make a £15m offer and double Lescott’s wages. The Blues, however, will resist all attempts to land a player they took a chance on when signing him from Wolves three years ago but have subsequently turned into an England international. What’s more – given that Glenn Johnson has just moved from Portsmouth to Liverpool for £17m – £15m in no way reflects Lescott, who has another three years left on his contract, current value.
He has figured in all bar two of the 144 competitive matches Everton have played since August 2006, regularly chips in with goals, is just as effective at left-back as he is a central defender and won the club’s Player of the Year award in 2008.
Blues boss David Moyes has let it be known on a number of occasions that his intention this summer is to strengthen Everton’s squad rather than weaken it – a stance that has been backed up by several high ranking Goodison officials.
But City are unlikely to take ‘no’ for an answer and could even be tempted to offer players plus cash to force a deal through. Hughes is going to prune his squad and one man who will definitely leave Eastlands this summer is Brazilian striker Jo, who enjoyed a successful loan spell with Everton in the second half of last season, scoring five goals. Lescott is aware of the speculation – and the vast figures that City are offering – and never really took the opportunity to put an end to it when he was asked on England duty earlier this month what he made of the situation. Everton, meanwhile, are not in the running to sign Tottenham’s £6m-rated defender Alan Hutton, who is surplus to requirements at White Hart Lane.
Everton announce Malaga friendly but Ghana pre-season tour is cancelled
June 25 2009 BY CHRISTOPHER BEESLEY
EVERTON’S proposed trip to Ghana next month has been scrapped while Malaga will be the team’s final pre-season opponents. The Blues were scheduled to make their first visit to sub-Saharan Africa for the game on Sunday, July 12 but have now been informed that opposition would not now be available after the Ghana FA scheduled a domestic cup competition that clashed with the confirmed date. This means that Asante Kotoko will not be available to play in the game at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi. Chief Executive Robert Elstone said: “This is extremely disappointing news.
" The club had invested a lot of time and effort into making this game a reality and were looking forward to making the trip out to Kumasi. “It became clear in the past 24 hours that the opposition would be unable to meet its obligation to play Everton on July 12 and despite looking at other dates and teams, in the end it just could not work elsewhere in the schedule. “We obviously have a responsibility to David Moyes and his players and we are all focused on ensuring they get the best possible preparation ahead of the start of the new Premier League season.” He added: “We are aware that a small number of our fans may have booked independent travel to Africa. “As a club we are obviously not in a position to make compensation payments but we will be discussing the situation internally and with the match organisers.” Club officials are now looking at potential opposition on or around the date of July 12, but if any game would take place in the UK. In traditional fashion, Everton’s final friendly of the summer will be on home turf with Malaga heading for Goodison Park on Friday, August 7. The Andalusian club finished eighth in La Liga last season in their first season back in Spain’s top flight after a two-year absence. With the trip to Ghana now off, Everton are scheduled to begin their pre-season programme at Spotland against League Two Rochdale on July 18. They then embark on a two-game tour of North America as they face Argentinian giants River Plate in Edmonton, Canada, on July 26 before tackling the MLS All-Stars in Salt Lake City on July 29. Returning to England, Everton then have a couple of trips to Championship opposition in the shape of Coventry City on August 2 and Blackpool on August 4 before Malaga’s visit to Goodison.
Everton FC's Tim Howard stunned by USA Spain victory
June 25 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
TIM HOWARD today admitted to still being in shock that his season could yet end with a winner’s medal. Everton’s goalkeeper performed heroics last night as the United States pulled off one of the biggest shocks in international football for many years by beating Spain 2-0. That victory means the US will now face Brazil or South Africa in the final of the Confederations Cup on Sunday night in Johannesburg but it doesn’t tell the whole story. Howard and his team-mates looked set to be on the first plane home after losing their two matches but a 3-0 win over Egypt, coupled with Brazil beating Italy by the same score, opened the door for them and they have taken advantage in spectacular style. “We’re proud that this group is the one that is going to represent the US in the final,” said Howard, who kept a record number of Premier League clean sheets for Everton last season. “We are scratching our heads at the minute but it goes to show you what hard work and commitment to each other can bring.” Spain were long odds-on to extend their unbeaten run to a 36th game in Bloemfontein but they never threatened to blow the US house down. But even when they did find a way through, the European Champions found Howard in the same terrific form that he showed when helping the Blues reach the FA Cup final.
Typically, though, he was keen to deflect his own role in the result and just hopes the US can finish the job. “Our defenders played great,” he said. “Anytime you come out with a shock win you need to take your chances in front of goal and you need some guys to defend like bandits. “Sure, you need your goalkeeper to come up with some saves and sometimes you get lucky. We rode our luck as Spain are an unbelievable side. They are the best in the world.” David Moyes’ squad are due back into training a week on Monday but Howard, Steven Pienaar, Tim Cahill, Jack Rodwell and Joseph Yobo will have extended breaks after spending much of June on international duty.
Meanwhile, Everton have all but clarified their pre-season schedule after announcing two more friendlies against Coventry City and Blackpool. The Blues will travel to the Ricoh Arena on Sunday, August 2 for a 12.30pm kick-off against Coventry before heading to Bloomfield Road on Tuesday, August 4, where they will face the Tangerines (7.30pm). Moyes’ team kick-off preparations for the new campaign with a fixture against Asante Kotoko in Ghana on July 12 and then face League Two side Rochdale at Spotland on July 18. They then fly out for a tour of the United States and Canada, where they will face crack Argentinean side River Plate in Edmonton on July 25 and an MLS All-Star XI in Salt Lake City four days later. Preparations are then likely to be concluded with a game against a top European side at Goodison Park the week before the season starts – as has been the case in recent years.
Everton FC will face Blackpool in pre-season friendly
July 25 2009 By Dominic King
EVERTON have confirmed they will face Blackpool in a pre-season friendly next month. The game will take place at Bloomfield Road on Tuesday, August 4 (kick-off 7.30pm) and is the latest addition to the club's pre-season itinerary. David Moyes' kick-off preparations for the new campaign with a historic fixture against Asante Kotoko in Ghana on July 12 before they face League Two side Rochdale at Spotland on July 18. They then fly out for a tour of the United States and Canada, where they will face crack Argentinean side River Plate in Edmonton on July 25 and an MLS All-Star XI in Salt Lake City four days later. Preparations are then likely to be concluded with a game against a top European side at Goodison Park the week before the season starts - as has been the case in recent years. Blackpool boss Ian Holloway said: "It's a big bonus getting Everton lined up and I am grateful to David Moyes for agreeing to come."
Everton's Jack Rodwell helps England reach European U21 Championship final
Jun 26 2009
Stuart Pearce finally ended England’s semi-final spot-kick hoodoo but his under-21s had to survive a thrilling comeback from European Championship hosts Sweden.
Pearce lost at the last-four stage twice as a player and as a coach two years ago - but it looked like his youngsters would cruise to victory in Gothenburg after leading at half-time through Martin Cranie, Nedum Onuoha and Mattias Bjarsmyr’s own goal.
The Swedes then staged a stunning revival at Gamla Ullevi and levelled through two goals from Marcus Berg and another from Ola Toivonen. Fraizer Campbell was sent off in extra-time before the penalties, which England have been practising after each training session for two years. Joe Hart was booked to rule him out of the final but also scored one and saved one, sending England through. They will be without Hart, Campbell and Gabriel Agbonlahor for the final but at the moment the focus is on England at last winning a semi-final. It has been seen as a psychological barrier that England teams could not get past but Pearce, after vowing to improve after Holland in 2007, has finally broken through. Now the aim is to win a trophy, the first in any age-group since 1993 when Robbie Fowler, Gary Neville and Sol Campbell were among the under-18s who won on home soil. One triumph in the last 64 tournaments, since England won the under-21s in 1984, is an abysmal record but there is hope that Pearce’s talented youngsters can now end the drought. Winning in Malmo on Monday would have implications for next year’s World Cup with the seniors. Theo Walcott is expected to be involved, possibly Hart and James Milner, while Kieran Gibbs could make a late push. These youngsters are at least schooled in England doing it the hard way - they were cruising until hitting the self-destruct button. It was Milner who took the corner that saw England lead after just 53 seconds. Micah Richards jumped for the ball initially but it found its way to Cranie, who took a touch with his chest before volleying home with the help of Agbonlahor jumping over the ball in front of Sweden goalkeeper Johan Dahlin. It has been quite a tournament for Portsmouth defender Cranie, who has not scored a club goal in his career yet. He may not have played in the tournament opener against Finland if Onuoha was fit but his performances since have kept Michael Mancienne out of the team. Sweden had to regroup, with their first sight of goal coming from Toivonen, whose free-kick from 25 yards was parried by Hart. Agbonlahor was one of three England players carrying yellow cards into the match and he received his second of the competition when he led with his arm while challenging with Bjarsmyr, meaning he knew he would miss the final. It was while Bjarsmyr was being treated off the field that England grabbed the second. It was a Milner corner again, with Onuoha this time allowed to take a touch close to the six-yard area, turn Rasmus Bengtsson and fire into the bottom corner. It got worse for Bjarsmyr before the break when he tried to clear Lee Cattermole’s header from Walcott’s cross but sliced into his own net. The Swedes brought on Labinot Harbuzi and Guillermo Molins at the interval, with Andreas Landgren and Martin Olsson making way - and they eventually forced their way into the game. Agbonlahor’s tournament came to an end when he was substituted just before the hour mark, with skipper Mark Noble consoling him as he left the pitch for Campbell.
Berg gave Sweden a glimmer of hope with 22 minutes remaining when he turned in Molins’ cross. Jack Rodwell came on for Noble to shore up the midfield, but Toivonen found the net from a free-kick to give the Swedes real hope, then the equaliser came with nine minutes left. Molins crossed from the right again, Rasmus Elm flicked backwards at the far post, with Berg applying the final touch. Campbell received his second booking of the match during extra-time when he challenged with Mikael Lustig, and he had stormed off the pitch even before the red card had been shown. Berg hit the bar with a header, but the match went to penalties.
Milner slipped when he took the first and the ball flew over, but then Hart saved from Berg, scored one himself and also got booked to rule him out of the final.
Most importantly, he put off Molins, who hit the post - with England winning.
Everton FC rule out Tom Huddlestone transfer
June 26 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
EVERTON today ruled out a move for Tom Huddlestone – as the club began to make alternative arrangements after the cancellation of their trip to Ghana.
The Blues were scheduled to play Asante Kotoko in Kumasi on July 12 but, due to circumstances beyond their control, the plug was pulled on that fixture last night.
The Blues also pulled the plug on speculation linking them with an £8.5m swoop for Spurs midfielder Tom Huddlestone. Everton – who had considered a bid 12 months ago – were linked with the 22-year-old last night but, according to senior Goodison officials he is no longer on Moyes’ radar – nor is Atletico Madrid’s Jose Antonio Reyes. It was claimed in certain sections of the Spanish media that Everton had lodged a £4m bid for the former Arsenal winger but, again, that suggestion was rubbished. Meanwhile, some supporters have expressed anger at the cancellation of the African tour after they had booked flights and arranged to have jabs, and there are similar feelings inside Goodison. A high ranking delegation was sent to Ghana last month to check out Kumasi, the pitch the game was scheduled to be played on, accommodation and security and they had no reason to have any concerns.
However, the Ghanaian FA subsequently scheduled a domestic cup competition to be played on the same date and, much to Everton’s disappointment, there was no scope for change.David Moyes will now seek to arrange a new fixture for the weekend of July 11 that will be held somewhere in the British Isles but, as yet, nothing has been arranged. The only addition to Everton’s pre-season itinerary is a home clash with Malaga on Friday, August 7 (8pm). Meanwhile, Steven Pienaar believes South Africa can benefit from the experience of playing in the Confederations Cup when they stage the World Cup in 12 months’ time. Pienaar was left devastated after the hosts were beaten 1-0 by Brazil in the semi-final last night – Daniel Alves scored a free-kick two minutes from the end – but was determined to look for positives today.
“It’s a shame because we know there was something we could have achieved from the game but it was a great experience,” said Pienaar, who was South Africa’s Man of the Match. “The World Cup is still a long way off but we have a young team and we can only build on this. Confidence has been lacking. “We’ve been talking a lot about self-belief and that came today but unfortunately we played against a superior team who can score from anywhere."
David Prentice: Manchester City transfer link worrying for Everton FC
June 26 2009 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
EVERTON have endured bigger transfer shocks than the summer’s day in 1977 when Ken McNaught decided the grass was greener elsewhere.. I’m thinking Alan Ball, Steve McMahon, Nick Barmby, Once a Blue . . . to list but a few. But to a naive 14-year-old who still believed that Everton Football Club was the centre of the sporting uinverse, Ken McNaught’s defection to Aston Villa was a shaker. Because it was a sign that Everton lacked ambition. McNaught was a hugely promising young centre-half who had been Everton’s only ever present the previous season. But when Aston Villa offered £200,000, Everton snatched their hands off. Worse still, they offered to throw in that bluest of Bluebloods, Mick Lyons, if agreement couldn’t be reached with young McNaught. It was a moment when Everton’s place in the grander scheme of things came sharply into focus. Villa had been a second division club just two years earlier. With McNaught on board they were crowned European champions just four years later. Everton were nearly men, never quite making that final push from contenders to champions. I repeat the story because history looks like repeating itself.
The constant tabloid speculation linking Joleon Lescottt with Manchester City is based on fact. And Evertonians fearing the worst are already seeking to soften the blow in case he goes. “His knees have gone,” “We could take Micah Richards and Jo” “Jack Rodwell is going to be a world class centre-half”. That’s just some of the bar-room wisdom I’ve listened to in the past few days. But the truth is, Joleon Lescott is an outstanding centre-half. Like McNaught, he is hugely impressive and young. Unlike big Ken he scores a prolific number of vital goals. He is also English, which is increasingly significant to clubs who hope to be regularly involved in European football. Until, fingers crossed, Phil Jagielka makes a full recovery from his dreadful knee injury, Everton are not well covered at centre-half. Back in 1977 Everton promoted a promising young junior defender into senior service called Mark Higgins. It was a bold and successful move. The Blues could contemplate a similar switch this season with the enormously promising Jack Rodwell, but it would still be a risky move, with the possibility of ruining the progress of a superb young footballer.
With senior Goodison officials either on holiday or unavailable, no-one has issued the kind of strenuous hands-off warning that Rafael Benitez saw fit to deliver as soon as similar speculation linked Javier Mascherano with a move to Barcelona.
But it was still reassuring to read Dominic King’s understanding that Everton would toss out any City bid of £15m. They should do the same with bids of £20 and £25m, because selling your best players is not the way to win trophies.
Everton FC fans furious over cancelled Ghana trip
June 26 2009 by Gary Stewart, Liverpool Echo
HUNDREDS of Everton fans planning to follow the club to Ghana next month will lose around £600 each after the game was cancelled. The Blues had been due to line up against sub-Saharan opposition for the first time as part of their pre season training preparations. But the plans were abandoned after the Ghana FA moved a domestic cup game to clash with their fixture. With flights at around £350, £50 for visas, and more than £130 just for malaria and yellow fever jabs the hundreds of fans who were already booking their trips can expect to lose well over £500 each. In a message on the club’s website chief exec Robert Elstone said: "This is extremely disappointing news. The Club had invested a lot of time and effort into making this game a reality and were looking forward to making the trip out to Kumasi. He added: "We are aware that a small number of our fans may have booked independent travel to Africa. As a club we are obviously not in a position to make compensation payments but we will be discussing the situation internally and with the match organisers." Fan websites were today buzzing with disenchanted fans. Poster a_db said: “I don't believe this. Honestly – I'm in shock. We are all booked up, have had jabs, got visas, everything. Total outlay so far is about £600. “And then Elstone says the club can't compensate the fans.
“Thanks very much Everton – so that's what we get for our loyal support.”
Mitch Murphy added: “Everton shouldn't announce games unless they're 100% happening. End of story. “And if it falls through then they should compensate fans.”
But others defended the club. MrK said: “I understand that you are annoyed, but to blame it on Everton is absurd. “Sadly, Everton are under no obligation to refund you because they have done nothing wrong, it’s the opposing team who have cancelled.”
It is believed fans are currently negotiating with Everton over compensation with some pointing out this is not the first trip to be cancelled after a previous suggested game in China also came to nothing (because of the SARS virus), with others still smarting from difficulties getting Wembley tickets in the FA Cup Final last month.
The club will now travel to North America to face off against Argentina’s River Plate on July 26 and MLS Allstars in Salt Lake City on July 29. Their final pre season friendly will be against Malaga at Goodison Park on August 7.
Everton FC's Jack Rodwell loving England Under 21 success
July 26 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
WHILE one of England’s young lions has been left sour by his experience in Sweden, for Jack Rodwell it has been a trip to remember. If Theo Walcott found himself on the end of some negative headlines yesterday morning, naively complaining about his failure to start the crucial Group B game with Spain, Rodwell has been in the news for all the right reasons. Having had to wait patiently for his chance, Rodwell announced his arrival at the European Under-21 Championships with an outstanding performance in the 1-1 draw with Germany on Monday night, putting the gloss on his efforts with a towering header. It left manager Stuart Pearce purring that Rodwell’s efforts were “beyond his years” and left many observers singing his praises but nothing what he did in Halmstad will have come as a surprise to Evertonians. Here, after all, is a young man who set the tempo of fiercely contested Merseyside derby in February with metronomic passing and never flinched when David Moyes sent him into the pressure cooker atmosphere of an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley. Should Pearce do likewise this evening, when England face the hosts in Gothenburg for a place in next Monday’s final, there is little chance of him being let down but even if he puts him back on the bench, there won’t be any complaints. “When I found out I was playing the other night, I was buzzing,” said Rodwell. “It went better than I could have imagined but it was a case of quickly forgetting about it. “I’ve heard the manager said some nice things about me afterwards but he isn’t type of person who will single you out on the training ground; it’s been more a case of him praising us all.” ‘Buzzing’ is also something that his phone has been doing plenty of this week, as a number of his colleagues have broken off from their holidays to give their support and urged him to take as much as he can from his Scandinavian sojourn. Though he has made giant strides over the past 12 months – Rodwell is unrecognisable as a player from the raw teenager who played in Everton’s first friendly against FC Sion last July – it would be foolish in the extreme to say he is the finished article. But, significantly, he is doing everything that is expected of him and more at the moment and provided he keeps listening to advice and learning from different experiences, this rough diamond could polished into a sparkling gem in double quick time. “A few of them have been in touch,” he said. “Phil Neville sent me a message straight after the game, while Bainesy, Vaughany and Goose (Dan Gosling) all did the same; a couple of members of the backroom staff also got in touch. “It’s nice to know. Vaughany had spoken to me before I came away because he played in the tournament in Holland two years ago and knows what it is all about; he told me it would be a great experience and he wasn’t wrong. “The people in Sweden have really got behind the tournament and there is a great atmosphere over here, both in the stadiums and around where we have been staying; I’m enjoying every minute of being involved. “I thought I was only going to be involved with the Under-19s this summer, so to get a call up for a tournament as big as this has been amazing. It’s been the perfect end to a great year and hopefully we can win the trophy. “So much has happened in the last 12 months – signing a new deal, playing at Wembley and getting to the FA Cup final – and it has been an amazing experience. “But I know there is still a lot for me to do and learn; I’m only a young lad and I’ve got to keep working hard, listening and learning, which is why being involved in this tournament can only help me in the future.” One man who is sure to help keep Rodwell focused is Everton skipper Neville, even if he persistently makes the 18-year-old and his pal Gosling the target of his banter. “He’s been a big influence,” said Rodwell. “He has got the right balance in that he works hard and is ultra-professional when it comes to training but he’s also someone you can have a laugh with off the pitch. “He gives me and Goose lots of stick and tells us we are the thickest in the group but really we both think he does that just to deflect attention away from himself – he needs to disguise how thick he really is!” Neville, however, is sure to be on the phone again straight after the final whistle if England see off Sweden tonight and when talk turns back to that game, there is no mistaking how determined Rodwell is to help set up a date against either Italy or Germany in Malmo. “It’s going to be a tough game,” he said. “They have got some good players and they scored a lot of goals in the group stages. “We don’t know much about them as individuals but collectively they will be strong. “Hopefully we’ll have enough to see them off.”
BLUES RULEOUTHUDD MOVE
June 26 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
EVERTON today ruled out a move for Tom Huddlestone – as the club began to make alternative arrangements after the cancellation of their trip to Ghana. The Blues were scheduled to play Asante Kotoko in Kumasi on July 12 but, due to circumstances beyond their control, the plug was pulled on that fixture last night. The Blues also pulled the plug on speculation linking them with an £8.5m swoop for Spurs midfielder Tom Huddlestone. Everton – who had considered a bid 12 months ago – were linked with the 22-year-old last night but, according to senior Goodison officials he is no longer on Moyes’ radar – nor is Atletico Madrid’s Jose Antonio Reyes. It was claimed in certain sections of the Spanish media that Everton had lodged a £4m bid for the former Arsenal winger but, again, that suggestion was rubbished. Meanwhile, some supporters have expressed anger at the cancellation of the African tour after they had booked flights and arranged to have jabs, and there are similar feelings inside Goodison. A high ranking delegation was sent to Ghana last month to check out Kumasi, the pitch the game was scheduled to be played on, accommodation and security and they had no reason to have any concerns. However, the Ghanaian FA subsequently scheduled a domestic cup competition to be played on the same date and, much to Everton’s disappointment, there was no scope for change. David Moyes will now seek to arrange a new fixture for the weekend of July 11 that will be held somewhere in the British Isles but, as yet, nothing has been arranged. The only addition to Everton’s pre-season itinerary is a home clash with Malaga on Friday, August 7 (8pm). Meanwhile, Steven Pienaar believes South Africa can benefit from the experience of playing in the Confederations Cup when they stage the World Cup in 12 months’ time. Pienaar was left devastated after the hosts were beaten 1-0 by Brazil in the semi-final last night – Daniel Alves scored a free-kick two minutes from the end – but was determined to look for positives today. “It’s a shame because we know there was something we could have achieved from the game but it was a great experience,” said Pienaar, who was South Africa’s Man of the Match. “The World Cup is still a long way off but we have a young team and we can only build on this. Confidence has been lacking. “We’ve been talking a lot about self-belief and that came today but unfortunately we played against a superior team who can score from anywhere."
David Moyes will target young guns for Everton
June 27 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
EVERTON will pursue a ‘bright, young thing’ transfer policy this summer as David Moyes aims to take his side up another level. The Blues have been linked with a variety of names over the past couple of weeks but the vast majority of them have no chance of ending up at Goodison Park. That rules out, among others, Tottenham pair Alan Hutton and Tom Huddlestone, Reading’s Kevin Doyle and Atletico Madrid’s Jose Antonio Reyes. Moyes has always aimed to buy players whose best years are in front of them and, if possible, for them to be young and British. High on his list of possibles this summer, then, are Leeds midfielder Fabian Delph, Sheffield United’s flying full-back Kyle Naughton and Joe Ledley of Cardiff City. A move for Cameroon international Stephane M’Bia – who came close to moving to Goodison 12 months ago – is also being seriously considered. No movement is expected until Moyes returns to work from his summer break in the next few days but once that happens the pace will pick up.Further talks are planned with Lars Jacobsen over extending the Denmark international’s stay on Merseyside after Burnley stated their intentions to offer him permanent football. Meanwhile, Gareth Southgate has quashed speculation that he is preparing a bid to offer Phil Neville the role of Middlesbrough’s player coach. While Neville has never made any secret of the fact he will continue in the game once he retires from playing, he has no intentions of making that jump yet.
He enjoyed his best season as an Everton player last year and led the Blues to the FA Cup final and his former England team-mate knows he would have little chance of taking him to the Riverside Stadium. “The only time I have spoken to Phil is when we were in the same hotel together on holiday,” said Southgate. “While I would love to have someone of his ability at our club, I imagine he's a key part of what David Moyes wants to do at Everton. He’s just captained them to an FA Cup final and I would not even think of approaching him.”
Everton FC’s American keeper Tim Howard aims for the top against Brazil
July 27 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
Everton FC’s American keeper Tim Howard aims for the top against Brazil
TOP of Africa is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Johannesburg but Tim Howard will be on top of the world if his mammoth season ends on a high.
Everton’s goalkeeper should have been sitting on a beach somewhere this weekend but a staggering turnaround in the United States’ footballing fortunes means he will be playing in the Confederations Cup final tomorrow night instead. Not even the biggest optimist would have ventured that as being a possibility last weekend after Howard and his compatriots had lost their opening Group B games against Brazil and Italy but, in football, it pays to expect the unexpected. Unexpected, though, does not quite do justice to the way the US have hauled themselves off the canvas; if beating Egypt 3-0 and seeing Brazil thump Italy by the same score was a shock, the 2-0 victory over European Champions Spain on Wednesday was even more astounding. Yet there was nothing fortuitous about that result and Howard is intent on taking full advantage; he is not, then, interested in seeing the many sights – including the view from the 50th floor of the Carlton Centre which has been labelled Top of Africa – that Johannesburg has to offer. So while many will be expecting a Brazil side that is being inspired by Kaka to waltz off with the trophy, they are likely to find Howard in belligerent mood, determined to ensure he does not end up on the losing side in another final.
“After the first two games, all we were trying to do was keep our heads above water,” said Howard, who is poised to win his 43rd cap. “But you can never be sure what is around the corner in football. I hate to say it but it’s a funny game and, now again, you get these breaks. “I figure that if I can keep playing in these finals, sooner or later the law of averages says that I’m going to win one! Seriously, though, we know it’s going to be tough and if we are going to win, everyone is going to have to work together like we did against Spain.“The great thing was that we just had so much belief. If you want to be the best, you have got to beat the best and I don’t think anyone would dispute that’s exactly what Spain are at the minute. But, you know what, we deserved it.
“We are going to have to knock another big guy over tomorrow night but we’ve already played Brazil, we played Italy and we hope the experiences we’ve had over the last month will make us stronger in the long run.”
It is often said that defeats are the best things to help accelerate progress and if that has been the case for the US, it could also apply to Everton when the new Premier League campaign begins on August 15. The hurt of losing to Chelsea in the FA Cup final is still raw for Howard, as it is for so many of his team-mates and supporters alike, but a hectic schedule has meant the man from North Brunswick has been unable to begin the healing process. That will come when he finally gets chance to rest his aching limbs yet Howard will also be determined not to lose sight of the fact that the past 12 months have been hugely successful, both individually and collectively.
He kept a record number of Premier League clean sheets (17) for the Blues and played a huge part in helping David Moyes’ side to their second, consecutive fifth place finish and he sees no reason why there cannot be a repeat in season 2009/10.
“It’s been a great year,” Howard, who played in every minute of every Everton game, reflected. “Ok, at this moment in time, everyone is hurting and physically tired. All the boys who have been playing in Europe are aching and we’re all looking forward to our vacation. “I’m sure when I sink back into a chair, switch my phone off and start to unwind that I’ll start to think about losing to Chelsea; what happened at Wembley left a bad taste in the mouth, even though we did not have a divine right to win.
“We had every chance in the world but unfortunately we just couldn’t take it. Quite honestly, I haven’t dissected the fine details of the game yet as I flew off the day after, never read any reports and subsequently I’ve played six matches on three different continents. “I just hope we can get after it again next season. It will be another big year for us, both as players and as a club. We have got Europe to look forward to again, we want to maintain our position in the table and push on if we can and we want to be right on the money. “The manager won’t have it any other way nor will the rest of the lads and I’m sure we can be a force again. I’ve got one big effort left, then I can enjoy a month of doing not very much and look forward to hooking up with the boys once more.”
Everton FC boss David Moyes will be swayed by hard facts not gloss over Michael Owen
July 27 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
BY now, the dossier that was dispatched to all and sundry earlier this month will either be well-thumbed or gathering dust. Some managers will have taken one look at the sales pitch from Michael Owen’s representatives proclaiming that the former European Footballer of the Year is looking for “a fresh challenge” and been left cold.
Others, however, will be excited, rubbing their hands with glee that the chance to work with one of the greatest goalscorers in the modern era has cropped up; they will be the ones frantically working out whether they can make the sums work out.
Where, then, do you imagine David Moyes stands on the subject of Owen’s next club, now that the one time England striker has confirmed the worst kept secret in football – namely that he will leave Newcastle United when his contract expires on Tuesday?
Probably somewhere in the middle. Like every other club in the Premier League, the glossy brochure that Owen’s management company have compiled, cramming it with marketing buzz words like him being “global”, “technical” and “instinctive”, has a home somewhere at Goodison Park. But did he need to give the go ahead to sending out what is basically a glorified begging letter? You see it smacks a little of desperation, the action of a man who is all hype and little substance, when nothing could be further from the truth. Owen’s achievements speak for themselves and if he wanted to send out a reminder, the only thing he needed to print was the fact he has scored 202 goals in his club career and another 40 at international level. They are statistics that should have managers drooling, leave defenders shaking and get creative midfielders dreaming of seeing their through balls turned into gold by a man who has yet to reach his 30th birthday.With Everton in the market for a top quality striker, someone who will make a difference in the tightest of games, surely it is a ‘no-brainer’ and the first thing that should be done on Wednesday morning is set up talks over a move to Goodison? That, though, is unlikely to be the case and it speaks volumes that only Phil Brown and Tony Pulis have registered an interest so far.
You see, there was a time when Moyes would have moved heaven and earth to sign Owen and four years ago, the disappointment he felt at not being able to compete for his signature when he left Real Madrid was enormous. Yet now Moyes would think long and hard about whether to offer Owen a chance to revive a career that has hit the buffers spectacularly during what was an ill-fated spell on Tyneside.
His caution is understandable; Owen’s fitness record since January 2006 has been awful, while he completely lost his form towards the end of last season, just when Newcastle needed him to show why they paid £16m for him – he failed to find the target after January 10. What’s more, with Louis Saha and James Vaughan in the ranks – no strangers to the treatment room – and Ayegbeni Yakubu recovering from an ruptured Achilles tendon, Moyes could not afford to bring someone in who might spend more time injured than playing. His critics have said on numerous occasions that he has lost his desire and Father Time has caught up with him; that his heart belongs to the horse racing business he has set up at Manor House stables, just outside Malpas. Certainly Owen will have questions to answer at whatever club he starts the new season and it is likely that a few managers in the division will feel the risks of taking him are just too great, given the money they would pay out. That said, there will always be the nagging feeling that Owen might just come to life again and there is reason to believe Goodison could be the perfect stage to re-ignite the fire in a the boyhood Blue. With a proper pre-season under his belt and settled team behind him, signing a hungry Owen might just turn out to be a masterstroke. But one thing is certain – Moyes will only move if he believes it is the right thing for Everton to do, not because it says so in a glossy brochure.
Everton FC’s Joleon Lescott can nip Manchester City transfer rumours in the bud
July 27 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
ANOTHER summer, another transfer saga; while Andrew Johnson’s future dominated headlines 12 months ago, Joleon Lescott has taken centre stage this time.
Manchester City’s relentless pursuit of the defender has been going on since last Christmas and it seems clear they are not going to take ‘no’ for answer, an attitude that could see them become a club with same popularity as Chelsea. The approach they have adopted has been anything but clandestine yet there has never been an official approach to David Moyes and, because of this, Everton’s manager has become increasingly annoyed about the stories that have appeared on the matter.
Moyes is not naive and obviously knows there is no smoke without fire, as it has been a saga that has been rumbling on and on and – unless clear, decisive action is taken – there is no sign of it stopping. Everton have done all they can to nip it in the bud, letting it be known that Lescott is not for sale, while there has been no ambiguity on Moyes’ behalf when he has said that he won’t allow his best players to leave.
What, then, can be done? Simple. Lescott could put it all to bed with one emphatic statement that pledges his loyalty to the club that helped turn him into an England international – and gave him his shot at the big time. Why would he want to leave a club that has just played in an FA Cup final and enjoyed back-to-back fifth place finishes to join a club whose last big day out was in 1981? Sometimes, though, the attraction of a club has nothing to do with the style they play. And in Manchester City’s case, it has everything to do with what they pay. We await, then, the next act in this drama.
Tee off with club legends at Formby Hall
FANCY teeing off with some Blues legends?
The Everton Foundation is holding a golf day at Formby Hall this coming Tuesday.
Entry for a team of four costs £300 and proceedings get underway at noon.
For more information, call 0151 530 5253.
Masters football returns to Liverpool ECHO arena tonight
Jun 27 2009
The Masters Cup returns to the Echo Arena today, featuring legends teams representing Liverpool, Everton, Tranmere and Wigan. The Grand Final will also be held at the Echo Arena on September 6. A limited number of tickets are available on the door.
Phil Jagielka: Everton must snub "ridiculous" Man City bids for Joleon Lescott
June 29 2009 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
PHIL JAGIELKA has urged Everton to throw out any “ridiculous” bids Manchester City may make for his central defensive partner Joleon Lescott this summer.
The Blues have been bracing themselves for a £15m offer from the new cash-rich City, after senior Eastlands officials let it be known that Everton's England defender was on their summer shopping list. But Jagielka, who partnered Lescott for much of the second half of last season before suffering a serious knee injury, is hopeful Lescott and other key players will remain at Goodison Park. “Joleon has been fantastic and it was nice to see him play for England at the end of the season,” said Jagielka. “That tells you enough; he's a massive part of our team and we don't want him to go. I'm sure the club don't want him to go. “Plus we have only got two centre halves, with me not being available at present. “The way football is at the moment, if someone is going to splash ridiculous money, then you have to see where it goes. “I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of our players were subject to bids, but hopefully we are financially stable enough to reject them and build on the squad we have got.” The transfer rumour mill went into overdrive this weekend, with Everton linked for swoops for more than a dozen players, with some of the more fanciful stories involving Jermaine Pennant and a swap deal involving Steven Pienaar and Jose Antonio Reyes. Michael Owen's name also figured, with the Newcastle striker becoming a free agent tomorrow, but there is no confirmation from Goodison that any talks have taken place with the former Liverpool striker. Jagielka, meanwhile, was speaking at the opening of Everton's new Megastore, which opened its doors for the first time on Saturday.
Chief executive Robert Elstone said, “We are really excited about the launch of Everton One. Kitbag’s pedigree in sports retail is first class so fans can expect an outstanding new look store. The partnership will undoubtedly benefit Everton and our supporters for many years to come.”
Tim Cahill lashes out at ‘bitter’ player agents
Jun 29 2009 Liverpool Echo
TIM CAHILL has blamed “bitter” player agents for a recent row within the Australia national team. The Everton ace admitted he was angry with a situation that evolved in the Australian camp during the recent World Cup qualification campaign and said that a player agent, who he did not name, had deliberately tried to tarnish his character.
“It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work out what’s happened in the last couple of weeks,” he said. “Obviously there’s player agents involved who are very bitter and it’s something that’s very difficult to explain, because me as a person, you think you can play football and that’s all that matters. “Outside of football, commercially, is one thing you would hope wouldn’t affect a team. “It’s one of those issues that definitely will be addressed after this whole camp. “Its something that’s made me angry and something that as a team, when we play we are unbelievable, but outside when it comes to other issues it’s a bit sad. The best thing I can do is let my football do the talking and that’s what I’ve done fo years which is what has brought me to where I am. Some big footballers have come out and supported me and understand the politics behind the scenes with players’ agents only, which is sad. I do my business on the pitch.”
USA 2, Brazil 3: States will soon be ready to take on the world
Jun 29 2009 Liverpool Echo
USA coach Bob Bradley saw his side throw away a two-goal lead over Brazil in last night’s Confederations Cup final – but then warned the world that his men are becoming genuine contenders on the global stage. The South Americans were in all sorts of trouble less than half an hour in at Johannesburg’s Ellis Park thanks to goals from Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan, and went into half-time trailing 2-0.
But Luis Fabiano halved the deficit almost immediately after the break and then drew his side level with 16 minutes to play, before a late header from Lucio broke American hearts. “The feeling is of great disappointment, but also of great pride. When we get past the disappointment, we know we are making progress,” said Bradley. “We will learn from these kinds of experiences, but it doesn’t make it any easier. “It’s been a experience for our team and to get to the final. But beyond that, the experience has been very special. It’s something we’ll remember and give us motivation to be back here next year for the World Cup.” Brazil coach Dunga never doubted his side could stage a rousing comeback. “To overcome a 2-0 deficit is never easy, but if you have committed players that never give up, you always have a chance and we showed that tonight,” Dunga said after they successfully defended the title they won in Germany four years ago. “Being two goals down after 27 minutes, they were still sure of themselves. We were determined and simply wanted to win.
“The US has always had a competitive team. They are very tactical, very disciplined and very physical. It’s always difficult to beat them.” Asked about his half-time team-talk, the 45-year-old said: “I said to them at half-time that something was lacking.
“A lack of good positioning, so we corrected that and we started pressurising our opponents.“I brought on two faster players and we also brought on Elano and went forward making use of the wings better.” Man of the match and player of the tournament, Kaka, was modest after receiving his awards, saying that praise should be given to the whole team. He said: “The most important thing as I’ve always said is to win as a unit. All of that happened and Brazil was the champion. If it hadn’t been for the team I wouldn’t have been the best player or the man of the match.”
‘BLUES MUST SNUB CITY’
June 29 2009 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
PHIL JAGIELKA has urged Everton to throw out any “ridiculous” bids Manchester City may make for his central defensive partner Joleon Lescott this summer.
The Blues have been bracing themselves for a £15m offer from the new cash-rich City, after senior Eastlands officials let it be known that Everton's England defender was on their summer shopping list. But Jagielka, who partnered Lescott for much of the second half of last season before suffering a serious knee injury, is hopeful Lescott and other key players will remain at Goodison Park. “Joleon has been fantastic and it was nice to see him play for England at the end of the season,” said Jagielka. “That tells you enough; he's a massive part of our team and we don't want him to go. I'm sure the club don't want him to go. “Plus we have only got two centre halves, with me not being available at present. “The way football is at the moment, if someone is going to splash ridiculous money, then you have to see where it goes. “I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of our players were subject to bids, but hopefully we are financially stable enough to reject them and build on the squad we have got.” The transfer rumour mill went into overdrive this weekend, with Everton linked for swoops for more than a dozen players, with some of the more fanciful stories involving Jermaine Pennant and a swap deal involving Steven Pienaar and Jose Antonio Reyes. Michael Owen's name also figured, with the Newcastle striker becoming a free agent tomorrow, but there is no confirmation from Goodison that any talks have taken place with the former Liverpool striker. Jagielka, meanwhile, was speaking at the opening of Everton's new Megastore, which opened its doors for the first time on Saturday.
Chief executive Robert Elstone said, “We are really excited about the launch of Everton One. Kitbag’s pedigree in sports retail is first class so fans can expect an outstanding new look store. The partnership will undoubtedly benefit Everton and our supporters for many years to come.”
Lars Jacobsen signs for Blackburn Rovers - Everton FC latest
June 30 2009 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
DANISH defender Lars Jacobsen signed for Blackburn Rovers on a two-year deal last night. The 29-year-old has been weighing up his options since his contract with Everton expired at the end of the season. Rovers’ Lancashire neighbours Burnley had also been linked with the Danish right-back. Jacobsen arrived at Goodison on a free transfer last summer but was hampered by a shoulder injury and it was March before he finally made his debut at Portsmouth. He played five other games towards the end of the campaign, including a substitute appearance in the FA Cup final defeat to Chelsea. Rovers manager Sam Allardyce has been keen to bring in a right-back following the departure of Andre Ooijer to PSV and the return of on-loan Danny Simpson to Manchester United.
Everton and Manchester City in talks over extending Jo loan deal
June 30 2009 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
EVERTON are negotiating with Manchester City to keep Brazilian striker Jo for a season-long loan. And the Blues hope to reach an agreement without Joleon Lescott’s name being brought into the equation. England defender Lescott has been touted all summer as a potential City target. But while Everton have not received an official enquiry yet, they are hoping to persuade Mark Hughes to release Jo on loan.
David Moyes wants to keep the Brazilian striker after a promising spell in the second half of last season. But he is also keen to keep hold of Lescott. Jo cost Manchester City £18million last summer, but was shoved onto the fringes of Mark Hughes squad, before being allowed to spend the last four months of the season at Goodison.
After an unsuccessful spell at Eastlands, he scored two goals on his Everton debut and went on to register five goals in 11 appearances. Everton cannot afford to match the £18m City paid CSKA Moscow, but with City already having captured Roque Santa Cruz from Blackburn and trying desperately to land Carlos Tevez from neighbours United and Samuel Eto’o from Barcelona, the Brazilian will slip even further back in the pecking order. David Moyes is back at Finch Farm this week, ahead of next week’s start of pre-season training, and Everton are expected to intensify their efforts to land new faces. Sheffield United full-back Kyle Naughton is still the only player the Blues have made an official enquiry for. The Blues, meanwhile, have ruled out reports linking them with Sweden under-21 striker Marcus Berg, who plays for Groningen.
New Everton kit proves to be a smash hit
Jun 30 2009 Liverpool Echo
EVERTON'S new home kit has outstripped all previous records.
The brand new retro strip, based on the shirts worn by the most successful team in the club's history in the mid-80s, smashed all retail records at Goodison on its first day on sale. “We were up almost 200 per cent up on first day sales of any previous new kits,” said Ray Evans, MD of manufacturers Kitbag. “We had a steady queue of people stretching 200 to 300 yards for over five hours on Saturday and we broke all records for Everton retail. “The figures are incredibly rewarding for everybody involved both at Kitbag and at Everton FC.” Chris Bailes, Kitbag's retail operations manager for Everton, added: “I have seen nothing like it before in all my years of football retailing.
"The fans have really taken to the new kit in an unprecedented way.”The kit launch coincided with the re-opening of Everton's newly refurbished store at Goodison Park on Saturday morning by player of the season, Phil Jagielka. Chief executive Robert Elstone, commented: “I am delighted the new kit has gone down so well with our fans and our sales figures are testimony to this.” Kitbag are a manufacturing arm of Le Coq Sportif, the group which designed Everton's iconic kits from 1983 to 1986, which coincided with the club winning a host of silverware. During this period Everton won the First Division title (1984-85), the FA Cup (1984), Charity Shield (1984, 85) and European Cup Winners Cup (1985). The Le Coq Sportif years at Everton are synonymous with some of the club’s best players in recent memory including Gary Lineker, Graeme Sharp, Gary Stevens, Kevin Ratcliffe, Trevor Steven, Peter Reid, Kevin Sheedy, Andy Gray and Neville Southall. Everton Two, the club's new Liverpool city centre store will be officially opened this weekend.
David France takes Everton and Liverpool founding fathers back home
Jun 30 2009 Liverpool Echo
SIX of Merseyside football’s founding fathers were back in their Liverpool home this week. Ben Swift Chambers, John Houlding, John McKenna, George Mahon, James Baxter and Will Cuff were key figures in the formation and development of Everton and Liverpool Football Clubs. And all six started life as members of Everton Football Club, when the Blues played their home matches at Anfield. Dr David France, the man behind the remarkable Everton Collection, took them back home after he commissioned magnificently detailed oil paintings of Mersey football’s founding fathers. Dr France said: “I think it’s vital that we remember the importance of the six founding fathers of Merseyside football. This is a nice way of paying tribute to some of the people that have been long forgotten in the history of the game and the city.
“As life president of the Collection, I commissioned them to celebrate the men who contributed to the development of the city’s two great footballing institutions. I want to use the paintings to reach out beyond the boundaries of the divide.
“They’re ideal for a boardroom or a major entrance, but even more suited to areas accessed by ordinary fans of all persuasions. I want to keep them together as a set of six and rotate them around different important locations in the city so as many people as possible get to see them. I’d like Everton to have them for a short time, Liverpool to have them for a time and then a city museum. They could even go as far as the National Football Museum at Preston for a time if they were kept as a group of six and referred to them as ‘The Founding Fathers of Merseyside Football.’ ”
The painting of Rev. Ben Swift Chambers is of particular interest as photographs of him had proved elusive.In 1877, he was appointed superintendent and minister of St Domingo Chapel in the Everton district of Liverpool. His brand of ‘muscular Christianity’ led to the formation of the team that would become Everton Football Club and, by consequence, Liverpool Football Club. After exhaustive research by Paul Wharton, a member of the Everton Shareholders’ Association, the family of a former St Domingo’s caretaker were tracked down. It transpired that the Methodist church kept a book of photographs depicting the circuit ministers and so an image of Chambers was found. Dr France added: “I was a bit surprised by his appearance as I was expecting him to be clean shaven but he had a big beard and wore John Lennon glasses. I think just as everyone had a moustache in the 1970s, even the babies had beards back in the 1870s! The painting of him that we’ve commissioned is spectacular. “I’d like people to look at them all and think: ‘Yes, this is the history of us as a city with an unrivalled football history.’ We’re a very special city, particularly when it comes to football. We’re a city that has always had a team in the top-flight from day one and these paintings are a real celebration of that heritage.”
June 2009