Everton Season Diary: August 1997

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EVERTON SEASON DIARY
August 1997

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AUGUST 1997

28th: Everton are drawn against 3rd Division Scunthorpe in the Coca-Cola Cup; Sky decide that the first leg (away at Glanford Park) is going to be worth showing *Live* as their Match of the Day on 17 September.
27th: Everton huff and puff but they cannot blow away the juggernaut that is Manchester United, falling to two strange goals at Goodison Park. The match is televised in some countries. Andy Hinchcliffe is close to making the first-team squad after a successful run-out against a visiting American college team at Bellefield.
23rd: The second League match of the season brings a home win over West Ham by 2-1, with goals from Speed and Stuart. Debut for Danny Williamson but Oster is the star inspiring the Blues' late comeback.
22nd: John Hills starts a one-month loan with Swansea City in Nationwide Division 3 -- for the second time in his short career.
21th: A move to buy ageing Welsh forward, Dean Saunders, for £600,000 falls through (thankfully!) when Howard Kendall snubs Nottingham Forest over their ridiculous £1M valuation.
August 20th: Cyril Lello, Everton right-half in the early 1950s, has died.
19th: Everton put on a strong performance to blunt the Blades as they beat Sheffield United 4-0 in a friendly arranged as part of the compensation deal releasing Howard Kendall from his managerial contract.
18th: A young Everton Reserves side go down 0-1 to Stoke City at Newcastle Town. The two Italian trialists, Mauro Espostio and Luigi Riccio return home this week, with no further interest from Everton.
14th: Danny Williamson completes his transfer from West Ham United, with David Unsworth leaving Everton after 10 years of loyal service as part of the swap deal.
13th: Everton are one of four teams not playing their traditional second match of the season midweek. The original fixture at Chelsea was postponed due to building work at Stamford Bridge.
12th: Everton Reserves open their season in impressive style with a 5-0 hammering of Nottingham Forest. A strong line-up includes Tony Grant, fully fit.
August 9th: Everton start the season pretty much where they left off in May -- with a 1-2 defeat at home to Crystal Palace. Dave Watson willingly relinquishes the captaincy to Gary Speed: "New Manager, New Captain." Debuts for Bilic, Farrelly, Oster and Thomas pale against that of Lombardo for the Premiership new boys.
8th: Duncan Ferguson pledges his future to Everton by finally signing a 5-year contract.
6th: Gary Speed sustains a calf injury in training that could rule him out of the season opener against Crystal Palace.
5th: Tranmere finally accept £400,000 in a deal that brings right-back Tony Thomas to Everton.
2nd: Tony Grant may need a third operation on his troublesome ankle.
1st: Everton win their last pre-season friendly 3-0 at Bristol City, Gareth Farrelly scoring his first goal.

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EVERTON SEASON DIARY August 1997

EVERTON SEASON DIARY
August 1997