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News Headlines & Features
Weir's here for one more year
29 Jun - "Ever since the day I arrived at the club I've
loved every minute of it," says David Weir as he puts pen to
paper and signs an extension on his contract, keeping him at
Goodison Park for one more season. The experienced defender,
signed from Hearts back in 1999 for a nominal fee added, "most
players who have left Everton have regretted it and although I
had other options, this club was always going to be the
winner. The players are a great bunch of lads and the staff
are great as well and that makes a big difference."
World Cup heartbreak for Cahill
26 Jun - Everton midfielder Tim Cahill was left
standing helpless as Francesco Totti slotted home an injury
time penalty, sending Italy forward to a World Cup quarter
final and the unfortunate Australians homeward bound.
Australia can count themselves unlucky to lose in such
dramatic fashion but Blackburn Rovers defender Lucas Neill's
mistimed challenge allowed the Italian attacker to win a
penalty that was to prove so costly for the Socceroos.
Ex-Everton defender Marco Materazi was sent off early in the
second half for a clumsy challenge. Home in time for
pre-season Tim!
Portugal survive lunatic referee
25 Jun - In the craziest match of the World Cup so far,
Portugal hung on to a first-half lead to beat off a determined
challenge from Holland for the privilege of playing England in
the Quarter Finals. Nuno Valente was one of the many players
who got yellow cards from yet another useless Fifa referee,
Russian Valentin Ivanov.
Vaughan still ''making progress''
24 Jun - James Vaughan is progressing well in his
recovery from knee reconstruction surgery in Colorado back in
April. It has been stop-start in terms of his long overdue
comeback, with the young up-coming star breaking down not once
but twice as the Everton physios struggled to get him back him
shape before he finally went to Dr Richard Steadman. Hopefully
he will be fit enough to play some part in pre-season
preparations.
International defender re-signs for Blues
23 Jun - Scottish international defender David Weir has
agreed to sign a one-year extension, keeping him at Goodison
for the forthcoming season. Dave Prentice, in the Liverpool
Echo, acclaims the signing as a "huge boost" as Everton
continue to strengthen the squad. Weir, who turned 36 in May,
started 41 matches last season. The re-signing of Weir now
leaves only Joseph Yobo's future uncertain as he has yet to
put pen to paper on a new deal.
Everton kick off
new season at Goodison
22 Jun - Everton will begin their 2006-07 campaign with
a visit from new boys Watford to Goodison Park on 19 August.
David Moyes's side then travel the short distance to face
Blackburn Rovers on the 23rd and we get the trip to White Hart
Lane out of our system also in the first week of the new
season, visiting The Lane on 26 August. As ever, the search
for the Merseyside derby dates remains a priority and we're
due to face our Mersey rivals on September 9 at Goodison with
a trip across Stanley Park in early February. Subject, of
course, to our friends from BSkyB...
New deal for defender
21 Jun - Nigerian captain Joseph Yobo is set to end the
speculation surrounding his future by signing a new deal
keeping him at Everton. The defender said that "the respect
that I get here spurs me on and I realise that I have a
responsibility to go on and push myself to help the team to
achieve something." He is expected to sign the new deal on
July 1. Amusingly he remarked also that "apart from not
winning anything, everything else is great." Nil satis, eh,
Joey?!
Van der Meyde rehabilitated?
19 Jun - Perhaps it was an excercise in reverse
psychology or tough love from David Moyes, who had seemingly
put the "for sale" sign on enigmatic Dutch winger and
self-proclaimed normal guy, Andy van der Meyde. The latest
word is "I want to him to stay and I want to see him get fit."
The 'problems' seem to have gone well beyond the injuries that
frustrated AvdM's first season at Goodison but now we can
hopefully look forward in anticipation to see of what we know
this fella can do on the field.
Cahill plays too deep in Aussie loss
18 Jun - Tim Cahill somewhat surprisingly was named in
the starting line-up for the Socceroos in their huge match
against Brazil. But the Aussies paid far too much respect to
their illustrious opponents and Cahill in particular played
far too deep to be of any use whatsoever. After Brazil got the
lead just after half-time, he was subbed for kopite Harry
Kewell, who characteristically wasted not one but two good
chances as the Aussies tamely went down 2-0 to a mediocre
Brazilian performance.
Van der Meyde answers his critics
17 Jun - Andy van der Meyde has spoken to the
Football Echo to dispell the rumours about his, er,
'social habits'. "I'm not an alcoholic," says the Dutch winger
in response to rumbings that suggest a fondness for the juice.
But AvdM says, "I'm just a normal guy", insisting that he
loves it at Everton and wants to stay: "Why would I want to go
back to Inter?"
Cahill may not start v Brazil
16 Jun - Tim Cahill may not start Australia's massive
game against Brazil on Sunday, despite his obvious goalscoring
prowess, as Socceroos manager Guus Hiddink fears losing one or
more of four booked players through more silly tackles and
unneccesary yellow cards. Cahill is right in that category,
with Fifa stating that his second foul on Kamano should have
been rewarded with a penalty for Japan.
Everton to leave the City of Liverpool?
15 Jun - The Liverpool Echo reports that Everton
FC have entered talks with Knowsley council and Tesco over the
construction of a proposed new stadium in Kirkby. The Kirkby
plan is said to be by far the most viable since the
much-vaunted Kings Dock stadium project collapsed in 2003. The
proposed site is on land off Valley Road and Cherryfield
Drive, partly occupied by Knowsley Community College. A
council spokesman said: "We are in the early stages of
discussion with Tesco regarding a potential leisure and retail
development close to Kirkby town centre. The development has
the potential to incorporate a new stadium for Everton FC."
Lescott finally completes move
14 Jun - Joleon Lescott has finally put pen to paper
and signed for Everton after weeks of frustration stalled the
completion of his move from Championship side, Wolves. The
young central defender is ecstatic with his move to Goodison,
saying that "the manager told me how passionate the fans are
but I knew that already to be honest. You can see it on the
television, around the city and there is not a better group of
supporters than Everton's." Lescott's arrival now places
further doubt on David Weir signing a new deal to remain at
Goodison Park.
Cahill
bags it for the Aussies!
12 Jun - Tim Cahill came on after 53 minutes for
Australia and became their hero with just 6 mins left, jabbing
home a vital equalizer after a dreadful refereeing error put
Japan ahead in the first half. But more was to come in the
final minute when Cahill struck a superb shot in off the post
to score a fantastic second for the Socceroos — their first
ever goals in the World Cup Finals! Aloisi went on to seal a
great comeback win in added time with a virtuoso third. Tiny
himself is, naturally,
over the moon  .
Valente Slams Allegations
12 Jun - Portuguese full-back Nuno Valente has refuted
allegations made in the press that he is looking for a move to
a more ambitious club. Speaking to the official site, the
31-year-old defender said, "I would like to state that I am
completely happy at Everton and I have never indicated that I
would like to leave the club." Misquoted by the press? Story
made up? Or is somebody playing both sides of the fence?
Weir ponders his future
12 Jun - David Weir is expected to decide this week
between the options on the table in front of him regarding his
footballing future: staying with Everton and playing in the
Premiership, but perhaps only as a second choice / perennial
sub. Or getting regular starts for West Brom in the
Championship.
Valente slams lack of ambition
11 Jun - In a move guaranteed to endear him to
countless Evertonians ... NOT! — Portugal defender Nuno
Valente has told the News of the World he would accept
a move to a more ambitious club! Given Moyes's commitment to
keeping only players who want to play for Everton, perhaps
Valente will now get his wish.
Fine, get rid and
buy Boka then!
End of the road
for Nigel
8 Jun - Goalkeeper Nigel Martyn has been forced into
retirement because of his persisting ankle injury. The 39 year
old keeper, an outstanding success during his time at Everton,
has conceded defeat in his battle to recover from the ankle
injury which cut short his season earlier this year.
Home is where the heart is
6 Jun - Groundhog Day once more, with the thorny issue
of a ground move again on the agenda. The Daily Post
asks the burning question — Should Everton move to Kirkby?
— and this article features the varied responses you'd expect
from a wide range of Evertonians. King's Dock revisited?
Lescott transfer may collapse
5 Jun - The Daily Post indicates that Joleon
Lescott's transfer to Everton is in danger of collapsing due
to concerns we have highlighted over the weekend regarding the
health and condition of his knee. The move depends on the
results of more stringent tests, and Everton's desire to
renegotiate the terms of the deal to reduce the upfront
payment and make the remainder appearance-dependent. But it's
a
completely different story coming out of Molyneux.
Update: It's now being reported that any deal won't be
completed unti next week at the earliest as Lescott has gone
on holiday!
Can we
have our ball back, please?
5 Jun - Evertonian Gareth Owen has penned another
collection of children's poems in celebration of the upcoming
World Cup in Germany, wjhich starts on Friday. Being a good
Everton fan, Gareth has woven in plenty of hooks to please his
fellow Evertonians, and the book is very nicely priced... so
go on, give your kids a treat.
Cahill ties it up in Holland
4 Jun - Everton midfielder Tim Cahill got in among the
goals again for Australia as the Socceroos fought back to earn
an impressive draw in Rotterdam today. Cahill tapped the ball
into the net after Mark Viduka's bizarre penalty strike hit
the bar, the post and Dutch 'keeper Edwin van der Sar.
Lescott move hits a snag
3 Jun - Just when we thought it couldn't get any
better, The Mirror is reporting that the transfer of
Joleon Lescott to Everton became bogged down when a problem
with his knee showed up in his medical. However Sky Sports
carry this claim from Wolves
that Lescott has passed his medical and any delay is due to
the devil in the details.
BBC Sport confims that Lescott has passed his medical.
Everton Swoop for Lescott
1 Jun - Everton are poised to add highly-rated Wolves
defender Joleon Lescott to their ranks after a bid, believed
to match Wigan's £5.5m offer, was accepted by the Midlands
club. Like Andy Johnson, Lescott is believed to prefer a move
to Everton over The Latics. Negotiations over personal terms
with Lescott will now open with a view to tying up a deal by
the end of the week. Is this the second example of the summer
that Everton are ready to compete next season? Or do they know
that Yobo will be leaving and are using cash they hope to earn
from his sale to bring in a possible replacement?
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Snippets & Rumours
Everton, Live
on Sky
30 Jun - The Goodison Derby in September, and five
other games up until Christmas, have been rearranged with live
coverage on Sky or Prem-Plus.
Bilbao game is Kendall testimonial
29 Jun - Everton's final pre-season fixture, a home
match against Athletic Bilboa on 12 August 2006, is to be a
testimonial game for Goodison legend, Howard Kendall. Kendall
left for a fresh challenge at Bilbao after the 1986-87
Championship-winning season.
McDonald is new Carlisle boss
29 Jun - Carlisle have named former Everton defender
Neil McDonald as their new manager. He made over 100
appearances for Everton in 1988-91, scoring 8 goals.
Dallas fixture set
28 Jun - The second of Everton's pre-season fixtures in
the US against Mexico's Club America will take place in
Dallas, Texas, on Saturday, 29th July at 20h30 local time.
Moyes on the look-out
26 Jun - David Moyes would still like to bring in a
couple more players, despite having spent most of the transfer
budget.
Tim acknowledges Everton support
26 Jun - As the Australians prepare to take on Italy
this afternoon, Tim Cahill paid tribute to the many Everton
fans who have made a point of supporting him in Germany.
Early start for Victor
26 Jun - Victor Anicebe has made an early start to
pre-season training in an effort to make sure he is in the
best possible shape.
Blues
still need width
23 Jun - In our latest poll, the majority of votes cast
by ToffeeWeb readers back up the generally-held assumption
that Everton need a genuine winger to complete the close
season's transfer business.
Cahill: the shirt off his back
23 Jun - Tim Chaill gave his shirt not to a Croatian
after the Socceroos' successful entry to the last 16 of the
World Cup, but to an Everton fan he saw in the crowd.
Switch Island move opposed
23 Jun - Local opposition is voiced by some to the
suggestion that Peel Holdings could develop a new stadium for
Everton at Switch Island.
Cahill and Co through to last 16
22 Jun - Tim Cahill played the full 90 minutes as
Australia battled out a pulsating 2-2 draw with Croatia to
book their passage to the knockout phase of the World Cup
Finals in Germany.
Club deny McFadden contract report
21 Jun - David Prentice claims an
exclusive in The Echo that James McFadden has
accepted Everton's take-it-or-leave-it contract offer, but
Everton are denying the Scot has signed yet remain confident
he will.
Halewood Academy underway
20 Jun - The new-look Official Everton FC Website
reports that work is set to begin / has already begun on the
new buildings at the Halewood home of the new Everton Academy
and training complex.
Linchpin Linderoth!!!
19 Jun - Mention Tobias Linderoth and most Everton fans
- if they remember him at all - will think of a timid
midfielder who left Goodison in June 2004 after 2½
unremarkable years. But Sweden's coach Lars Lagerback has a
different perspective...
Portugal in to last 16
17 Jun - Portugal moved into the last 16 at the World
Cup Finals with a laboured 2-0 win over Iran, Nuno Valente
again playing the full match.
Dithering in Dallas
16 Jun - Confusion abounds over the second of Everton's
upcoming games on their pre-season tour of two US cities. The
game against Club América in Dallas may take place on Sunday
30 July... or it may not.
LCC offer up two sites
16 Jun - The headline in this story is that the Kirkby
development carries a £250M price-tag, but it also states that
Warren Brady, Leader of Liverpool City Council, is also
offering Everton two prime pieces of land within the city.
Spending spree not over
15 Jun - David Moyes has hinted that the Everton summer
spree may yet see him adding to the first team squad. He said,
"with a bit of luck we might add one or two more before the
start of the season, but I would expect that to be a lot
nearer the deadline than now."
Faddy happy to stay
13 Jun - James McFadden is close to extending his stay
at Everton. The Scottish international, with one year left on
his current contract, has intimated that a new deal will soon
be reached. His agent, Catherine Robertson said, "I had a
meeting with Keith Wyness last week and the talks were very
positive. James will speak with David Moyes this week and
we're hopeful we can get something sorted out."
Big talk from Big Keith
12 Jun - In an interview with the Daily Post's Business
editor, Bill Gleeson, Keith Wyness makes the bold suggestion
that Everton could have a new stadium before Liverpool.
McFadden not looking to leave
12 Jun - James McFadden's agent, Catherine Robertson,
is refuting claims made over the weekend that the Scotland
international has rejected Everton's third and final contract
offer.
Leave our game alone
12 Jun - Everton CEO, Keith Wyness, backs the Premier
League's stance against FIFA's desire to cut the Premiership
from 20 to 18 clubs.
Portugal flatter to deceive
11 Jun - Nuno Valente played in Portugal's win over
Angola, which promised to be a great game, but faded into
tedium after 15 mins or so as Valente's mates failed to press
home their advantage.
Ex-Blues in Yellow
10 Jun - Tobias Linderoth and Niclas Alexandersson both
played in Sweden's frustrating draw against plucky Trinidad &
Tobago at the World Cup.
World Cup
Spreadsheet
10 Jun - Download this excellent interactive
spreadsheet application to keep track of the World Cup games,
results, groups, etc. Includes a time zone adjustment to give
local Kick-Off times.
Forum
Back Online!
9 Jun - We're pleased an announce that the forum is
back up and running. It looked at one stage that we may just
have to wipe everything and start again, but after loads of
emails flying back and forth to our hosts in the States and
hours of painstaking work on the database we managed to
restore everything perfectly. Pretty good huh?
VdM has regrets
9 Jun - Andy van der Meyde has told the Italian press
he regrets leaving Italian football, and he wants to go back.
''The best referee in the world''
9 Jun - Not that baldy bug-eyed schister again!
Final contract offer for McFadden
8 Jun - Everton have made a take-it-or-leave it
contract offer to James McFadden.
Lescott saga heading for resolution
7 Jun - Joleon Lescott could be an Everton player by
the end of the week with Wolves insisting the move is back on
and the Echo claiming that the deal has been
restructured so that it is based more on appearances.
Midland battle for Weir
6 Jun - Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion, both
relegated from the Premiership this past season are reportedly
fighting for the services of veteran defender David Weir.
Weir, now a free agent, has been offered a one year deal by
Everton but may look further afield for better offers.
Everton ''want more time''
5 Jun - Everton have asked Wolves to give them more
time as they deliberate over unspecified aspects of the Joleon
Lescott transfer — most likely the condition of his knee that
was reconstructed by Colorado surgeon Richard Steadman three
years ago.
Big Dunc: Part 5
5 Jun - David Prentice wraps up his Duncan Ferguson
retrospective in the Liverpool Echo.
Que sera, sera!
4 Jun - Andy Johnson bemoans a season spent in The
Championship, highlighting his absence from The Premiership
which may have cost him a place on the flight to Germany this
week. "I have no regrets that I stayed that extra year at
Selhurst Park and I have always said 'what will be, will be'."
Cahill plays for Australia
4 Jun - Tim Cahill opened the scoring for Australia in
their 8-1 win over Dutch side VV Kloetingen during a pre-World
Cup practise match, before he was substituted... was that
related to landing awkwardly on his injured knee???
Moyes still concerned with Cahill
3 Jun - David Moyes continues to voice his concerns
about the possibility that the Australians are pushing Tim
Cahill's recovery too hard and that could lead to damaging his
knee ligaments again.
Johnson in line behind Defoe
2 Jun - Sven Goran Eriksson has revealed that Spurs
striker Jermaine Defoe is ahead of Andy Johnson in the queue
of stand-by strikers for the World Cup Finals.
Big Dunc: Part 4
2 Jun - Part 4 of David Prentice's continuing Saga of
Duncan Ferguson. The Post & Echo have also put together
This souvenier 92-page glossy paper-magazine-booklet to
celebrate the Big Yin's Everton career.
Take the money, Joe
2 Jun - According to The Sun, Joey Yobo is being
offered a staggering £40k per week to stay at Everton and
develop a rearguard partnership with Joleon Lescott — the
Jo-Jo Boys!
Big Dunc: Part 3
1 Jun - Part 3 of David Prentice's take on the Saga of
Duncan Ferguson.
Jeffers longs for Everton return
1 Jun - Francis Jeffers, who was released after another
poor season at Charlton, would relish a return to Everton, and
insists there is no lasting rift with manager David Moyes.
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