Season 2008-09 Diary
ToffeeWeb's comprehensive news archive
If it happened and it was Everton-related, it's right here in the
comprehensive Season Diary.
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News Headlines & FeaturesMoyes livid over red card tackle Vaughan's red mist descends 31 Jul - David Moyes is justifiably livid with young James Vaughan, who just seems to be unable to control his rampant exuberance whenever he gets on the field, much to his own detriment. A shocking tackle at the end of the "friendly" against Chicago Fire saw the player given a straight red card and Moyes was far from happy with the young striker, who is now in danger of being suspended for Everton's first three matches of the league campaign. Chicago Fire 2 - 0 Everton Baxter starts; Vaughan sent off 31 Jul - Back to the football and Everton kicked off their Yankee Tour 2008 in Toyota Park, near Chicago at 7:30 pm CDT on Wednesday night (that's 1:30 am BST!). David Moyes named just 15 players with Jose Baxter, Dan Gosling, and Jack Rodwell among the starters... and James Vaughan on the bench. Yakubu was denied an obvious penalty seconds before Chris Rolfe put the Fire ahead just before half-time. After a good spell for Everton it was Frankowski who scored in the second half. Vaughan came on and tore into the locals... a little too enthusiastically as it turned out: straight red at the death! On now to Denver... Wyness resigns CEO departs with no explanation 29 Jul - A terse statement on the Official Everton Website notifies Everton fans this evening that Keith Wyness, CEO, has resigned from the club. No reason was given for his sudden departure leaving rumour that he has taken a similar position in Spain to gain momentum. The subject of increasing vilification from the fans over his dubious role in promoting Destination Kirkby, and his controversial double role as a Club Director and private entrepreneur in stadium development, his departure is being interpreted as a strong indicator that the controversial project will indeed be "called in" for a public inquiry. Johnson on the verge of Fulham move 'Eight figure' fee would represent good business 28 Jul - Andrew Johnson is expected to complete his transfer to Fulham within the next 24 hours after Everton finally acknowledged they had accepted a bid for the player who was not long ago "not for sale". AJ is at Craven Cottage this afternoon discussing terms and undergoing a medical ahead of what some media sources are reporting is a £12m transfer, although according to Sky Sports it's £8m plus add-ons based on appearances and Fulham's success. Johnson does not want to leave Goodison, apparently, but, depending on the final fee, this represents a good business decision that may now hasten some incoming signings! Sporting want more for Moutinho £11.8M Everton bid rejected 27 Jul - In the wake of Joao Moutinho's public expression of his desire to leave Sporting Lisbon for Everton, the Portuguese club have confirmed that a bid for the highly rated young player was received but rejected. In a statement on their website, the Blues have been told they will have to up their offer from their recent €15M (£11.8M) bid in order to land player Sporting value closer to £18M. Baxter belter for the Blues Nottingham Forest 1 - 1 Everton 26 Jul - The youngsters once again saved Everton's pre-season blushes against a feisty Forest side on Friday evening when a good crowd witnessed a great goal from 16-year-old Jose Baxter to level the scores after Nuno Valente had put the ball into his own net. One more step on the road to match fitness for most... except Shandy Andy, whose wild strike early on pulled his hamstring. Neville extends Goodison deal Four more years! 25 Jul - Everton have announced that club captain Phil Neville, who had two years left on his existing deal and was already believed to be one of the club's top earners, has signed a new contract that could keep him at Goodison Park until 2012... when he'll be 35. Neville was signed from Manchester United three years ago and although he was billed as a utility man and David Moyes has deployed him in central midfield, it has become clear that his best (only?) position is at right back. Preston NE 0 - 1 Everton Baxter very impressive 22 Jul - Everton were victorious in their third pre-season friendly, beating the Deepdale side with an early goal that Phil Jagielka powered into the net off a superb Jose Baxter corner, soon after the youngster had rattled the Preston crossbar from a free-kick. Van der Meyde played again but not Andy Johnson — creating no end of speculation that he is indeed on his way... Squad Numbers Announced Arteta now Number 10 21 Jul - Everton have annouced new squad numbers for the team, with a number of "vacancies" held open for the 5 or 6 new players David Moyes says he's hoping to sign before Deadline Day. Phil Jagielka moves to No 6 while Jack Rodwell takes Lee Carsley's old No 26 jersey. Good workout for the Reserves! Cambridge Utd 4 - 2 Everton 19 Jul - Andy Johnson started the friendly at Cambridge United today, with John Ruddy in goal. Mikel Arteta came off the bench, with the same long list of senior squad absentees meaning that the youngsters got another chance to impress manager and onlookers alike... but they started poorly, allowing Cambridge to score from the kick-off. A brace by Lukas Jutkiewicz, however, put the Blues ahead going into the interval, but Cambridge came back well with three goals in the second half as Moyes rang the changes. Discuss in our mailbag. EGM Petition Delivered 18 Jul - The Everton shareholders campaigning for an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Club have now got well over the 20% level of shareholder support required to call an EGM. They submitted the petition to the club this morning and the club now have 21 days to confirm the date of the EGM, which should be within a further 28 days of that notice. The EGM should therefore take place in no later than 49 days from today... which means a decision on Destination Kirkby will already have been made. Yobo's brother released Back with the family 17 Jul - Relief for Everton's defender Joseph Yobo and his family in Nigeria as kidnappers have released his brother Norum after almost two weeks in captivity. Norum was snatched at gunpoint with three other men on July 5 as they made their way home from a nightclub in Port Harcourt in Rivers State, Nigeria. Sir Terry Leahy “The Robert Mugabe of Retail” 15 Jul - Perhaps currently the Everton fan with the highest profile amongst fellow Blues, Sir Terry Leahy gets called lots of things. This profile in the Independent last weekend has little to do with football but provides an interesting insight into a variety of contemporay issues the man has to deal with... Moyes: Contract talks underway Boss hopes to wrap deal up quickly 14 Jul - The Daily Post reports that David Moyes has confirmed that contract talks with Bill Kenwright are now underway. The Everton boss flew back from the pre-season training camp in Switzerland to hold talks with Bill Kenwright and said, "we’re hoping things will be wrapped up quickly.” The same report claims that Moyes has confirmed his interest in Stephane Lichsteiner, the 24 year-old Swiss right back who plays for Lille and would cost around £300,000. More promises from Van der Meyde “I need to stay as fit as I can” 14 Jul - After his first 90 minutes for Everton in a public match since he joined the club three years ago, Andy van der Meyde seems to be a tad more realistic about the promises for the task ahead: "I want to do my best. It’s difficult but I hope I can still be important for Everton. I don’t want to get too carried away. I’ve been thinking about pre-season all summer and now I just want to get myself right.” Pre-season friendly FC Sion 1 - 0 Everton 12 Jul - The pre-season jollies kicked off in Switzerland with a casual affair against FC Sion that ended 1-0 to the home side. Everton were a but rusty. Full report from Andrew Humphrey. Club adds to existing debt to compete Two new mortgages 10 Jul - The Guardian report on two additional mortgages — one last October, the other last month (bringing the total number of loans currently being serviced to 12) — that the Everton Board have taken out against future Sky TV revenue. The same report suggests that the club's hierarchy are not worried about the prospect of an EGM being forced over Destination Kirkby, insisting that sceptics of the scheme won't be able to collect the required number of petitions. Sounds like a challenge... Cahill still working on recovery No fixed return date 8 Jul - Tim Cahill, who stayed behind in Finch Farm this week as he continues to work on his recovery from repeated metatarsal breaks, admits he has no idea when he will be fully fit and has yet to resume running. Clearly he will not play a full part in pre-season training and there is some concern that he will not be fit for the start of the season. Playing through the pain Arteta hopes to come back fit 7 Jul - Mikel Arteta talks about the niggling groin injury that just became worse and worse over the course of last season: “It does affect you because you are out of the game. You lose that sharpness and that confidence, and every time you want to kick the ball and do something special you are very limited. And it’s not an excuse. I am the just the first one to criticise myself." He is recovering from surgery to fix the problem and hopes to be fit for the start of the season. Kenwright wants to sell EFC... But there are TWO clubs in Liverpool! 5 Jul - Among the almost classic Kenwrightisms shared with an ESCLA audience the other evening, this one has caused something of a stir... Q: "Bill, are you looking to sell?" A: "Yes, I want to sell. This week I have had calls from Rome, Norway, Dubai and America, but no-one wants to buy Everton because of Liverpool in the same city." ... so, logically, if you move the Club out of the City, that would make it easier to sell? Discuss. Double-header ditched Bury v Everton postponed 4 Jul - The strain of having a pathetically small squad has apparently scuppered part of Everton's plans for the pre-season jollies. The Bury half of the double-header set for 12 July, when Everton also play Sion in Switzerland, has been postponed (sic — cancelled surely?). With four Africans and an American still on holiday, another four players recovering from operations – and replacements still being sought for Lee Carsley, Thomas Gravesen, Steffan Wessels and maybe Manuel Fernandes, the Blues can’t field two teams on the same day. Welcome Back, David! Moyes is back in the saddle 2 Jul - With six weeks of nothing but scurrilous rumour and non-stories from the official website now hopefully behind us, we want to take this opportunity to welcome back David Moyes from his summer hols. We trust you are refreshed and ready to lead the team into the new season with purpose and resolve. Good luck and all the best for the new campaign, David! Club denies financial constraints Kirkby and Transfers are separate issues 1 Jul - As the transfer window opens (according to some it opened a month ago), Ian Ross has finally come out and denied stories that were leaked to the local papers about the availability of money for transfers being infuenced by any decision to call in Destination Kirkby. “The Government’s decision (on the Kirkby project) won’t have any impact on the manager’s transfer budget.” However, he didn't go as far as to say that the money for the new Kirkby Stadium was "ring-fenced"... |
Snippets & RumoursArteta restates his desire to stay 31 Jul - A bit of good news that got swamped in the shenanigans and doom-laden speculation of the past couple of days is Mikel Arteta's reaffirmation of his desire to stay at Everton. Moyes reveals his frustrations 31 Jul - In an interview on evertonTV after the defeat in Chicago, David Moyes reiterated the need for five or six new players before the deadline but said that no incoming transfers were imminent. Although news reports appear to have taken other comments he made out of context, privately he is believed to be angry at the lack of available funds. Wyness not taking Mallorca role 31 Jul - The Echo report that Keith Wyness, who is expected to make a more detailed statement this week, is to take legal counsel over his departure from Everton FC. Paul Davidson, the man behind the recent takeover at Real Mallorca, meanwhile, has denied that Wyness is to join him at the La Liga side. Wyness: Clearer picture emerging 30 Jul - With the Echo's Dominic KIng opining that Keith Wyness had been almost solely focused on the controversial Kirkby stadium for the past 18 months and the BBC's Mihir Bose's belief that Sir Philip Green has been pulling the main strings (lending credence to what many have known for a while), it would appear that a move to sunny Spain had become highly attractive for the former Everton CEO. MP Kilfoyle taken to task 30 Jul - A very interesting and informative article over on the KEIOC website detailing Mr. Kilfoyle's 'floating view of Everton Football Club’s worth to the community.' Included are Kilfoyle's personal notes from LCC meetings back in 2006 which leave more questions than answers. Moyes: Contract is “very close” 30 Jul - In the wake of the Wyness bombshell, the Official Site is in "good news" mode with David Moyes reassuring fans that he is very close to getting his new contract tied down. He's keen, however, that new signings take priority and he insists the money will be there following the sale of Andy Johnson. Kilfoyle's Kirkby neutrality questioned 30 Jul - Keep Everton In Our City make some illuminating revelations about the apparent role in Destination Kirkby played by Walton MP Peter Kilfoyle that bring into sharper focus his recent letter to Baroness Andrews. Joey Yobo there too! 28 Jul - Joeseph Yobo has returned from extended leave granted in relation to the kidnapping of his brother in Nigeria, and has joined the small squad in Chicago. Cahill is getting close 28 Jul - Tim Cahill is getting close to full recovery and has started training with the lads in America this week. Fingers corssed... he might just be fit for the start of the season! Arteta prognosis is good 27 Jul - Everton physio Mick Rathbone has provided an update on Mikel Arteta and Andy van der Meyde confirming that the former's injury was just a knock whereas the latter's was a torn hamstring. Small squad flies to USA 26 Jul - A rather small Everton squad departed for games in Chicago and Denver over the next 10 days: Turner, Howard, Valente, Neville, Lescott, Jagielka, Baines, Arteta, Osman, Pienaar, Gosling, Rodwell, Baxter, Vaughan, Jutkiewicz, Yakubu. Van der Meyde injured at Forest 25 Jul - Andy van der Meyde and Mikel Arteta were both forced off early on in the friendly at Nottingham Forest and while the Spaniard's diagnosis is just a kick to the shin, the Dutchman pulled a hamstring and faces yet more time on the treatment table. Forest friendly live on evertonTV 24 Jul - Everton's next pre-season friendly is against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground and it will be streamed live on evertonTV. Anichebe makes the cut for Nigeria 23 Jul - Victor Anichebe has been confirmed for Nigeria's 22-man squad for the Olympic Games in Beijing next month. The 19 year-old will miss the start of the Premier League season after making the cut from the 26 players who took part in a pre-Games training camp in South Korea. Wyness: Nothing agreed for Johnson 23 Jul - Everton CEO, Keith Wyness, has moved to counter reports in both the national and local press that a £10.5m bid for Andy Johnson has been accepted from Fulham. AJ was expected to play in the friendly with Preston last evening but left Deepdale before the game. Everton kit problems 22 Jul - The delay in the release of Everton's now kit to the fans was caused by quality control problems at Umbro, according to the Liverpool Echo. Interest in Stojkovic dropped 22 Jul - Everton will not be pursuing their interest in goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic after the Serb walked out just an hour into what was supposed to be a week-long trial at Finch Farm. Accrington here we come! 21 Jul - Accrington Stanley have announced that their final Pre-Season warm-up game will be against an Everton Select XI. The game will take place on Wednesday 6 August with a kick off time of 7pm. Bradley responds 19 Jul - In the typically unseemly name-calling that passes for intelligent discourse between politicians, Warren Bradley has responded to falsehoods and ignorance from MP Peter Kilfoyle regarding Destination Kirkby. Walton MP changes his tune 17 Jul - In what some might say is an ill-advised and contradictory (in light of these comments regarding the Kings Dock!) letter aired on the Official Site, Peter Kilfoyle, the MP for Walton, says that the proposed Kirkby stadium is Everton's only option and that he is not concerned at the prospect of losing one of the city's oldest and largest businesses to an adjacent constituency. Discuss it here... Fitness Update 17 Jul - The only good news is that Arteta is back in training. Vaughan is making slow progress; Baines and Hibbert are still recovering from their operations... and the kicker? Tim Cahill will miss the start of the season. Vlad on trial 16 Jul - Sporting Lisbon goalkeeper Vladimir Stojković is set to start a three-day trial at Finch Farm today with the hope of winning himself a place in Everton's squad for next season. Big Vic heading east 15 Jul - Victor Anichebe has been named in Nigeria's provisional 26-man squad for next month's Olympic Games in Beijing and hopes to be in the final 22 for their Olympic campaign which starts against The Netherlands on 7th August. Gosling features in U19s defeat 14 Jul - Dan Gosling played 78 minutes in midfield for England U19s as they slipped to a 2-0 defeat to hosts the Czech Republic, who finished the game with nine men, in their opening game of the Uefa U19 European Championship. Telly Time 11 Jul - Changes in kick-off times and dates for Everton league games scheduled for live TV coverage (and other causes) are listed on the Official Website. Only red tape holding up Stojković 11 Jul - Serbian 'keeper Vladimir Stojković is awaiting visa clearance to travel before starting a trial with Everton. According to the 22 year-old's agent, Zoran Stojadinovic, if he impresses, “the offer is a season-long loan, with an option to purchase the player [from Sporting Lisbon] for between €2.5m and €3m." Even Prentice sounds concerned 11 Jul - In this Echo column, David Prentice reflects many of the concerns voiced recently in our Mailbag, homing in on the continuing puzzle: Why hasn't David Moyes signed his new contract? Fernandes loan confirmed 10 Jul - From a source no less than the Premier League website, "the club have ... confirmed the extended loan of Manuel Fernandes for next season." Of course it comes in yet another piece of drivel from Capatin Marvel about Everton not needing any new faces(!!!) a piece that concludes with the tiumeless classic: that players returning from injury "are going to be like new players for us next season." ....... Arrrgh! Fernandes loan confirmed? 10 Jul - From a source no less than the Premier League website comes the claim, "the club have ... confirmed the extended loan of Manuel Fernandes for next season.," which doesn't square with Valencia's desire to cash in on him this summer. Of course it comes in yet another piece of drivel from Capatin Marvel about Everton not needing any new faces(!!!) a piece that concludes with the timeless classic: that players returning from injury "are going to be like new players for us next season." ....... Arrrgh! Stretford finally sanctioned 9 Jul - Agent Paul Stretford has finally been hit with an 18-month ban and a £300,000 fine for breaches of FIFA players' agent regulations and improper conduct. More than anyone, Stretford is believed to have been responsible for engineering and manipulating Wayne Rooney's transfer from Everton to Manchester United four years ago. Ball in Johnson's court 8 Jul - The Daily Post report from their sources at Everton that the club would consider cashing in on Andy Johnson but only if the player asks to leave and then only for £10m or more. Rumours posted on ToffeeWeb yesterday had Wigan leading the chase with an offer of £9.5m. Hibbert undergoes knee surgery 7 Jul - Tony Hibbert could miss the start of the new season after going under the knife to sort out the ligament damage he did to his knee in the away game at Arsenal in May. Blues look to Kamp Kanu 7 Jul - Everton (along with Man Utd) have agreed to give trials to prospective Nigerian stars of the future coming out of Kamp Kanu. Yobo's brother kidnapped 5 Jul - Joseph Yobo's elder brother, Norum, has been kidnapped in the Nigerian city of Port Harcourt. The oil-rich Niger delta area of Nigeria is a hotbed for ransom-related abductions but there has been no contact from the kidnappers thus far. Everton have given Joe extended leave for the foreseeable future. Everton tie up Round deal 4 Jul - Everton have announced the appointment of Steve Round as David Moyes's assistant after concluding negotiations with Newcastle United over compensation for the 37-year-old. Round succeeds Alan Irvine who took up the reins at Preston last season. LCC to request Kirkby 4 Jul - Liverpool Council are planning a cross-party call to formally request that Hazel Blears call in the Destination Kirkby proposal on the basis that it "rides roughshod" over strict local planning policy. The fresh initiative will include a request to Everton to hold fresh discussions about a “plan B” to stay in north Liverpool. Shaping Up 4 Jul - Plenty of conventional wisdom and no surprises of note in this Sky Sports assessment of how Everton are shaping up to the challenge of the new season. Gosling named in U-19 squad 3 Jul - Dan Gosling, signed from Plymouth in January and expected to play a part in the first team this coming season, has been called up to England's squad for the UEFA European U19 Championships in the Czech Republic later this month. Round deal close 3 Jul - Steve Round's agent is confident that Everton will land their top target for Assistant Manager and the 37 year-old is expected to be announced as Moyes's new no. 2 today after a compensation deal was apparently thrashed out with Newcastle United. Ruleteros Society's quest for friendly 3 Jul - The Ruleteros Society's hopes to bring about a friendly between Everton FC and CD Everton in Chile gets some national exposure at the BBC website. Jesus wants you for a Bluenose 2 Jul - Tangential mention of Everton (If ya knew yer 'istory!) in this social comment from the BBC on the role of Sunday Schools(!) in shaping British society and culture... |
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