Cahill among Australia Day honourees

An interesting background has Mr Cahill. His father is from London and his mother, I think, from Tonga which may be the reason he went to Millwall and caused the delay in his selection for the Socceroos as he turned out for his mother's nation when he was about 14.

Good luck, Timmy.

That's interesting facts I never knew, Alan. Back in the day, I took my youngest to see Aberdeen v Everton in a pre-season friendly. Half-way through the first half, my son asked “Why are the Aberdeen fans booing Cahill dad?”

Cahill had obviously been on holiday, had a super tan and short hair so I said “I think they think it's Arteta, who played for Rangers, so they'll hate him.”

Sure enough, Arteta came on at half time, and the first time he touched the ball there was a big “What The Fuck??” bubble over the Aberdeen fans. So they left Tim alone and started booing Arteta. :-).

Super, super player was Tim – and his son, who’s about 14, is attached to our Academy.

Alan @1 above:-

Tim's mother was Samoan, I think - that's why he lived there very early on in his life although he was born in Sydney.

He wasn't the most talented of players, but a great competitor who always gave his absolute best for the club – far more worthy of being referred to as a legend than some oft-referred to legends who contributed much less.

He is an ex-player of whom we can be really proud and an excellent representative of EFC; he speaks far more sense on on TV than some of the BBC's ex-player icons like Lineker & Shearer.

Keith, correct his mother is Samoan, hence his Tattoo designs. And yes he is a legend to me, as he thought to the last minute and had a worthy presence at 3 World Cups. (How many Everton players played in all 3?) He was Australia’s main player.

Downside is the Everton marketing and promotional side did nothing to take advantage of this, just like they failed with Tim Howard and Steven Pienaar, the South Africa captain when the World Cup was in South Africa! Unbelievable.

They interviewed Tim and a few others on Channel 7 here in Sydney and he was wearing his Everton Tracksuit. He absolutely loves our club and I'm sure we will see the Cahill name at Everton in the future.

Samoa, I knew it was one of the Pacific nations.

Cheers, lads.

Recommended reading for all Evertonians is Tim's autobiography. Don't be put off by the title Legend. Fascinating read about:
His tough upbringing in Aus
The trip to Samoa and a youth group friendly that nearly killed his international career
Experience of travelling half way round the world as a young man to trial for Millwall
And of course loads of Everton stuff
Did you know he is massive mates with Arteta for example?
Far superior to most sportsmen's autobiographies that I have read.

Well deserved accolade.

Keith @3 not talented sre you talking about the same player. Tim Cahill was as talented as any midfielders we have had and better by miles than most. He was as good as Gerard and lampard got ghosting in the box and scoring goals. He’s the top goal scorer in Australian history scored wonder goals in world cups he was and is world class as a footballer and person

Great player and if he wants it I think he can be a great coach too.

Mentally strong and a never give up winning attitude.

He was a top player, both technically gifted and a real team player who appeared to understand and read the game well.

Also scored one of the best world cup goals ever, a volley with his weaker left foot if I'm not mistaken.

I didn't realise he was now a coach at Everton. I look forward to his rapid rise to the top. Move over Unsy and Dunc, I think this guy is the real deal.

I haven't seen many Everton players with a bigger will to win than Cahill. Best header of a ball inch for inch in the prem alongside Gary Speed.

Reputations meant very little to him once the game had kicked off.

The volley in the world cup would be classed as one of the best goals ever if it was scored by a fashionable nation. We need to keep ex players with his character at the club for as long as possible.

Well deserving of his award.

68 goals in 278 appearances for the Blues, one of my all time favourites. I loved his attitude, he never went missing.

A credit to the Everton shirt, and a die hard who gave his all.

I remember his last game v The a Toon, I think we won 3-1, Hibbo, scored a cracking 16 yard own goal header, and TC, was sub, came in and got sent off, but for me he epitomised all the fight and spirit of the Moyes teams.

Great player and his headers and box awareness were so natural..

And since he’sgone, in fairness, Ross got a few, but our goals from midfield aside from a good surge by Siggy 2 seasons ago, have dried up, and this season, aside from James.

The total goals scored and distribution of goals by Everton players, the last few seasons hasn’t been great.

Justin and Rob, wasn't the goal of that World Cup tournament awarded to one James Rodrigues? Cahill's goal should have got it, but James was heralded as one of the top players in the world (he also won the Golden Boot).

Having emigrated to Sydney a year and a half ago I was utterly outraged when I found out my kids go to the same school Cahill went to and there was no statue outside...started a petition with the PTA

Good lad James Brand