- Toffeeweb - Season 2011-12

Nick Entwistle
1 Posted 09/11/2011 at 16:56:47

We must be skint when more money is spent on youth transfers than the senior team.

All a bit football manager!

Chris Perry
2 Posted 09/11/2011 at 17:00:16

Wow! Watch this space...

Tony J Williams
3 Posted 09/11/2011 at 17:09:59

They'll never make it etc etc

Gerry Quinn
4 Posted 09/11/2011 at 17:33:49

Other links between the two clubs include Brett Angell, midfielder Scott Brown and Andy Gray.

1. OMG
2. Who?
3. Deffo

Steve Mink
5 Posted 09/11/2011 at 21:33:24

Courteney Duffus and his brother Tyrone from Gloucestershire you say?

Total toe count = 24

Roy McCue
6 Posted 10/11/2011 at 00:25:35

You know - I really get embarrassed to log onto this website.

No matter what goes on with Everton Football Club, all people do is look for negatives and agree with everything bad to say about the club and slap thighs with the doom merchants.

Why do the majority of you all bother - all you want to do is slag off everything Everton - fecking hell, there must be better suicide assisted webpages

Rob Teo
7 Posted 10/11/2011 at 00:58:50

Roy, could you please highlight some of the positives that Moyes and the board have displayed this season or recently? (And I mean real, factual positives and not, say, the spin about "being close to finding a buyer", etc, that's consistently spouted by the PR machine of the club and that consistently fails to lead to anything.)

As for the perceived negativity on this site, I've been a regular visitor here for quite a number of years now, and I can assure you that when the football's good, when the tactics are spot on, when the manager and players display some gumption for their football, when the board has actually delivered with new signings and/or positive investment, this site and the people who frequent it have mostly responded positively as well.

However, since there's really been fuck all to cheer about this season and pretty much most of last season, it really is not surprising that there are so many "negatives" being brought up on this site at the moment.

Again, I ask you: what are some of the fact-based positive outcomes that the team, manager and board have been able to deliver this season or in recent times?

Bob Parrington
8 Posted 10/11/2011 at 02:39:09

Good one, Roy #6. and likely true..... but it gives us all the opportunity to spout off..... better than being booked for kicking the neighbour's cat in frustration!

Michael Hegarty
9 Posted 10/11/2011 at 12:15:39

Well said Roy #6.

Rob #7 I've got a positive - 2 promising youngsters set to sign.

Can you give us a factual negative about this story?

Tony J Williams
10 Posted 10/11/2011 at 12:36:49

Roy, it's called banter.

I enjoy it and lets be honest, this would be a shite site if everyone agreed with each other and everything was all rosy.

Roy McCue
11 Posted 10/11/2011 at 12:39:14

Michael

Thanks - that was my whole point - where did the 24 toes remark come from - totally unjustified.

Rob, I too share your frustrations but I do think we need to sometimes accept things without so much negative droll.

I must add, that I too have been on this site for years and unfortunately, if you don't have anything bad to say you're not welcome anymore.

Georgina Duffus
12 Posted 10/11/2011 at 13:15:03

Just to clarify, Courtney and Tyrone are my sons, and yes they have signed with Everton. Whether they "make it" or they don't, they have a fantastic opportunity by moving to be part of a bigger and better club like Everton FC, and in the process getting paid for it. And just to let you all know, they actually only have 20 toes between them both so sorry to disappoint! If you would like any more information then get it from the horse's mouth.

Colin Wainwright
13 Posted 10/11/2011 at 13:23:14

Thats you lot told.

Rob Teo
14 Posted 10/11/2011 at 13:26:36

Michael and Roy: I take your point, but I'm not sure signing two unknown youngsters is necessarily considered a positive. By the same token, it's not necessarily a negative either. Let's just say it's an unknown, shall we?

Notwithstanding the above, good luck to your sons, Georgina! And good luck to Everton, too! May they turn out to be the next Sharp and Gray.

Tom Fazal
15 Posted 10/11/2011 at 13:21:38

Georgina, congratulations to you all.

Even if they did have 24 toes they have still managed to earn an opportunity for themselves that all Evertonian parents dream of - the chance to play for the Blues. They (and you) will have committed countless hours of practice and sacrificed a lot to get here - and the work has only just begun.

I wish you all every success and tell them to enjoy every moment high and low. If they make it, I look forward to seeing them in a Blue shirt.

If they don't , as long as they can look themselves in the eye and know they have given it everything that they could, they can stand proud for a journey all of us on here (even the negative posters) we would all love to have made.

I hope their dreams come true.

Tony J Williams
16 Posted 10/11/2011 at 13:43:27

Well done Georgina on raising two footballers. Here's hoping that they are superstars in the making and that we can keep them if they are.

My comment was tongue in cheek ma'am

James Newcombe
17 Posted 10/11/2011 at 14:15:56

Best of luck to your boys Georgina!

Any one of us on this site would have killed to have played for Everton at any level.

Personally i'm very pleased that we are investing in youth players, it's the only way we will return to our former glories.

Brin Williams
18 Posted 10/11/2011 at 14:43:06

Two more Duffers - let's hope they turn out better than some of the present lot !

Couldn't resist that one - sorry Mrs D

Lori Fekete
19 Posted 10/11/2011 at 15:30:05

Congratulations to the Duffus family, you must be very proud.

Best of luck for the future.

Please Georgina, dont let them have any diamond earrings until theyre in the first team!

Gareth Fieldstead
20 Posted 10/11/2011 at 16:19:43

Not sure about that Roy! I was on this site back in January arguing with the editor!! about our Australian hero ( an argument I stand by considering his form this entire year) and he would not have a bad word said about Cahill, so much for only negatives allowed on this website! Living in Oz my form of support is a measly 600 pound a year in merchandise for me and the kids, although I did get to all the games in Oz last year! So I am hardly in an informed position to judge our board but anyone can see we are stagnating big time under Kenwright. No net spend in eleven years, increased debt, two failed ground moves which has cost the club millions we didn't have to waste and the sale of most of our best players since 04. The likes of QPR and City, two teams playing there football in division two not that long ago are percieved as better options than we are. Putting paid to the argument about grounds, fan bases and sharing cities with bigger neighbours!

Kevin Elliott
21 Posted 10/11/2011 at 17:10:23

Georgina,you say that for more information,that we need to get it from the horses mouth.
Pray tell, What has Suarez to do with all this?

Anthony Fox
22 Posted 10/11/2011 at 18:17:51

No matter what the club do they get slated! Would you rather they spent £35m on a big lazy piss head like the other shower across the park have?? This site is depressing and negative all the time.. Best of luck to these lads I say and the club are doing the right thing by looking a youth!!! If there's nothing positive to say then don't say it!!

Georgina Duffus
23 Posted 10/11/2011 at 18:28:37

Thankyou for all of your kind comments, the boys are looking forward to joining you all and hopefully they will do their best and achieve their dream! Good luck Boys X

Kevin Hudson
24 Posted 10/11/2011 at 18:32:07

A big welcome to the Everton family, Georgina.

I read that Courtney plays as a striker, what position does Tyrone play in?

Georgina Duffus
25 Posted 10/11/2011 at 18:50:49

Hi, yes Courtney is a striker and Tyrone plays as a midfielder. Fingers crossed they will produce lots of goals between them!

Trevor Mackie
26 Posted 10/11/2011 at 19:06:01

Georgina are your boys "shedheads"

Gavin Ramejkis
27 Posted 10/11/2011 at 19:36:21

I've no problem with kids signing but it should be in context and not heralded as the next coming. Some kids make it but more than often they don't. Will they or wont they doesnt really matter what I worry about most is will the club still sit in the top flight or have gone into administration before they are old enough to be knocking on the door of the first team?

Wayne Smyth
28 Posted 10/11/2011 at 19:44:39

Eeek, a midfielder and a striker.

I know at least one of them who'll never play for us! Lets hope they're young enough that Moyes will be long gone by time they're ready for the first team!

Jamie Sweet
29 Posted 10/11/2011 at 19:41:22

Welcome Georgina to you and your boys.

Keep making sure they eat their weetabix and hopefully we'll be seeing them at Goodison, running rings around the opposition in the not too distant future.

Just a tip, that if either of your sons do get a game, and they don't play too well... best to avoid toffeeweb for a few days. We can be a grumpy lot at times and say things we don't really mean. At the end of the day we love all of our boys in blue!

All the very best.

Brin Williams
30 Posted 10/11/2011 at 19:55:27

Do they sing much?

'Abide with me' could be handy - in case we go down!!

Derek Thomas
31 Posted 10/11/2011 at 21:53:50

Also for our many up coming Wembley FA Cup Finals

Ooh, I've come over all positive I'll have to have a lie down in a darkened room, til it wears off...nurse!

Roy McCue
32 Posted 11/11/2011 at 00:38:17

Gareth, you're right ? I honestly don't disagree with what you're saying but for God's sake this was an article about two young lads signing for Everton ? hardly an item to start slagging both the lads and Everton off.

I sincerely hope they do well ? the rest is a different issue entirely and doesn't belong in this particular article.

Gerry Quinn
33 Posted 11/11/2011 at 02:32:12

Georgina - welcome to the family of Everton. I laughed when I read #12 - ha, take that! I have placed articles about young players joining on here and of course the reactions vary hugely on here depending on recent results and who can be the most grumpy.....get used to the comments, it's what makes Everton fans what they are - the best.

Don't think we've ever had Mum's on here talking about their sons playing for Everton - must be a first. Any chance you can give us an insight into what actually happens to the boys - will they move up to the city permanently, or will they commute weekly? Who looks after them?

It's good to hear from a proud Mum, and, again, thanks for jumping in so freely to state the boys case - ha :)

Alastair Bates
34 Posted 11/11/2011 at 09:14:40

Echo those coments by Gerry #34.

Welcome to Everton the Duffus Family.

It is incredibly difficult to make it as a proffessional footballer and I wish your two boys (Courtney and Tyrone) luck as they progress through the ranks. The hard work starts now, and I hope im cheering on your boys in the coming years. COYB

Georgina Duffus
35 Posted 11/11/2011 at 09:49:14

Gerry, hi, as Courtney has just turned 16 and Tyrone is almost 15 we didn't want them to be disrupted at school as they are both doing really well with their GCSE's. Therefore, it is taking some organising but they will spend half the week at school and half the week at Everton.

They will still have to keep on top of all of their school work as well as try to perform to their best in training and in matches. (The hard work really does start here!) They are both pretty competitive so hopefully they will do well at both.

They are the oldest of 5 siblings, they have 2 slightly younger brothers and a younger sister so as parents we cannot commit all of our time to them so they know they have got to do a lot of the work on their own. They will stay with other scholars in Liverpool when they come up, and overall we have been really impressed with the whole academy set up.

The other lads have been really friendly and have welcomed them onboard. Hopefully you will all get to know and hear about them and you can then make your own judgement on the boys. Hopefully they will make you all as proud as we are as parents!

Franny Porter
36 Posted 11/11/2011 at 10:14:10

Hi Georgina, great to see you posting on here. Best of luck to your lads I sincerly hope they succeed. No matter what all the moaners say on this site (and Im one of them) investing in kids like this is the future for Everton Football Club whether people like it or not. In the not too distant past we have seen, Rooney, Jeffers, Rodwell, Vaughan, Hibbert, Anichebe, Osman, Barkley, Cadamarteri. Not all household names granted but all lads who have been given a chance, and I think in this economic climate we will see a lot more young lads given a chance over the next few years. So once again good luck and hopefully my daughter will be wearing a shirt with "Duffus 9" on the back before too long!

(PS: Phil Nevilles Mum has never bothered posting on here so well done you!, another Everton first!)

Nick Entwistle
37 Posted 11/11/2011 at 10:07:15

Hey Georgina,

As a parent do you look out for their motivation to become footballers?
Is it to be great sportsmen, or to emulate the distasteful tabloid antics of an Ashley Cole or the commercial success to be David Beckham? It would worry me if its any of the latter.

At their age, fame and fortune will obviously prove a distraction even before their potential provides anything. How do you keep them grounded?

Oh, and how are the younger boys at football? We need cover at left back.

Nick

Nick Entwistle
38 Posted 11/11/2011 at 10:21:28

Didn't mean to make it sound so negative by the way!

Sam Hoare
39 Posted 11/11/2011 at 10:24:02

Welcome Georgina to you and your sons. Its a mixed lot on here with usually a raging battle between the optimists and pessimists about all things Everton but at the end of the day we all love the club and are always happy to welcome new members to the family.

I'm sure you know that we have a good reputation for bringing through youth players, many of whom go on to have sucessfull careers. I'm sure you know this already but my tip to your sons is to work as hard as they possibly can, on and off the field. The Everton management and fans always appreciate a good work ethic and the fact that your sons are doing well in their schoolwork as well as balancing education with their sporting commitments speaks very highly of them and you. Welcome and best of luck to you all.

Jamie Barlow
40 Posted 11/11/2011 at 10:21:30

Welcome to Toffeeweb Georgina and good luck to both boys. What made you visit this site by the way?

Gerry Quinn
41 Posted 11/11/2011 at 10:48:19

Thanks Georgina - fascinating stuff and something we never get to hear about other than the brief outlines on the EFC Website. I am sure that I can speak for all ToffeeWebbers in jokingly pointing out that it's great having our own "snout" in Finch Farm! One up on the media.

See you at Wembley, Courtney and Tyrone, all the best

David Bridge
42 Posted 11/11/2011 at 22:58:53

Steve #5 hang your head in shame with your comments aimed at lads aged 15yrs and 16yrs you beaut!

Save our abuse for BK and Moyes not for players wanting to jump on this sinking ship.

Gareth Fieldstead
43 Posted 12/11/2011 at 16:04:21

Correct Roy, in the context of the article such negativity has no place here I was merely defending the Editor, (who obviously can defend himself!) and the way the club has announced the move. Like all Evertonians I hope the two lads go on to do great things for the club. It is a shame that there is so much anger towards the board that it has engulfed what is a great story.