30th:  Andy Hinchcliffe finally transfers out of Goodison Park.  He joins Sheffield Wednesday for £2.75M.  The Everton Board reluctantly agree to transfer-list team captain Gary Speed for a non-negotiable fee of £6M.

29th:  Apparently in protest at the club's handling of his transfer request, Gary Speed refuses to travel down to London with the first-team squad, and faces a substantial fine.  Manchester United reserve John O'Kane signs for the Blues in a deal worth up to £500,000, depending on appearances.

28th:  "There's no smoke without fire..."  Everton Captain and boyhood fan, Gary Speed, has finally been persuaded by his agent to hand in a written transfer request, bringing to a head the months of speculation over his future at the club he once loved, and precipitating a tirade of vitriolic anger from Evertonians in every quarter...  The youthful Reserves are outclassed by an experienced Liverpool team in the Senior Cup Semi-Final replay.

27th  "Don't count yer chickens..."  Sheffield Wednesday are baulking at the full £3M price-tag placed on Andy "The Chin" Hinchcliffe, putting his imminent move in doubt...

26th: John O'Kane, a defender in Manchester United's reserves, is visiting Everton for a trial...  Alan Ball returns to Fratton Park for a second stint managing 1st Division Portsmouth... Andy Hinchcliffe is apparently on his way to Sheffield Wednesday...

23rd:  A strong Everton side beat Yeovil Town 3-0 in a friendly at Huish Park... Paul Rideout has left Chong Qing (China) to play Major League Soccer for the Kansas City "Wizz" (something to do with urinals?), where he will team up with ex-Blues Preki and Mo Johnston.

22nd:  In the The Times FA Youth Cup 3rd Round tie, Everton beat Stoke City 1-0 at Goodison Park.

21st:  The Reserves match against Tranmere at Prenton Park has been postponed to 25 February.

20th:  Neville Southall's loan spell at Southend United is being extended by one month, with Howard Kendall getting a 24-hour release clause should he be needed back at Goodison Park.

19th:  Speed may be close to resolving his much rumoured move to Newcastle, after Kendall emphatically says he wants his team captain to stay at Goodison.  Everton have turned down three bids escalating from £3.5 M to £5 M over the past two months.

18th:  The media have trouble placing the credit where it is due, as Nick Barmby's industry and Ferguson's courage bring Everton a fully justified second-half rout of Championship-chasers Chelsea by 3-1. Goals from Speed, Ferguson, and an excellent 16-touch Everton move that resulted in a desperate own-goal by Duberry.

15th:  Everton's Frances Jeffers scores one of England U-16's goals in a 5-1 win over Cyprus...  Everton Reserves could only draw 1-1 (after extra time) with Liverpool Reserves in the semi-final of the Liverpool Senior Cup at Halton Stadium.

14th:  Earl Barrett teams up with ex-Evertonian Graham Stuart on a month's loan at Sheffield United.

10th:  Everton gain a second successive away win, 3-1 at Crystal Palace, with goals from Barmby, Ferguson and debut striker Madar, moving Everton up to 15th.  Gary Speed returns as captain despite the incessant transfer rumours, and Bilic is back from his 5-match suspension only to give away an unnecessary penalty and get booked.

1st:  The rumours of impending departures run deep as both Andy Hinchcliffe and Gary Speed are added to the long list of injured players who will miss the 3rd Round Cup Tie with Newcastle.  Could it be true that these players are being "rested" to avoid having them cup-tied at their future clubs?