EVERTON FULL SEASON DIARY, 1999-2000

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This ToffeeWeb page records key events of Everton's 1999-2000 season, starting in July 1999.
Items are in reverse chronological order (more recent first).  

• Jun 30:  Walter Smith completed the signing of his first acquisition this summer when Alessandro Pistone completed his medical and sealed a move from Newcastle United for a fee of £3M.
  Nick Barmby: he seemed to be such a good Evertonian; he kissed the badge with relish, he seemed to say all the right things... but the latest shocking kick in the teeth for long-suffering Evertonians is that Barmby wants to cross the park to join Liverpool!!!  
  Barmby was placed on the transfer list with immediate effect, and can expect only total vilification from the fans who backed him so faithfully for the last four seasons.  The price tag is between £6M and £8M; late on Friday, a Liverpool offer of around half that amount was rejected by Everton.

• Jun 29:  Alessandro Pistone has agreed personal terms with Everton and is set to complete his £3M transfer from Newcastle United on Friday.

• Jun 28:  Abel Xavier had a great game for Portugal in the Euro2000 semi-final against France... until the last few minutes of extra time, when he was adjudged to have handled on the goal-line.  The ensuing converted penalty was the Golden Goal that carried France into the final, after Xavier had so nearly headed the winner with just 5 mins left in normal time.  So near, yet so far.

• Jun 28:  Steve Watson and Alessandro Pistone look set to become the first arrivals in a madcap close-season of the most fervent transfer speculation imaginable.  Everton have agreed fees of £2.5M and £3M respectively with Aston Villa and Newcastle United for the two defenders.  Transfers are now dependant on medicals and personal terms.

• Jun 28:  Liverpool City Council are reportedly opening the door for Everton to have a prime new stadium in the Kings Dock area of Liverpool.

• Jun 27:  Walter Smith has ordered six of his young guns – Francis Jeffers, Michael Ball, Richard Dunne, Peter Degn, Phil Jevons and Danny Cadamarteri – to report back for pre-season training one week ahead of the rest of his squad. 

• Kevin Campbell has started light training earlier than expected following his knee injury.

• Jun 26:  Bruce Rioch, who played less than a season for Everton in the 1970s, has been appointed manager of Second Division Wigan Athletic.

• Jun 25:  Amidst a whirlwind of wild speculation, Nick Barmby is headed for critical talks with Walter Smith this week that should determine whether his future lies at Goodison Park or elsewhere.

• Jun 24:  Injury kept Abel Xavier out of the Portugal team that beat Turkey 2-0 and progressed to the semi-finals of Euro2000, where they will meet France or Spain.

• Jun 23:  Everton fans are up in arms over a clear case of favouritism and collusion (bribery?) between Liverpool City Council and Liverpool FC over their plans to build a 70,000-seater stadium in Stanley Park - an aspect of the story that won't be carried by the spineless local press...

• Jun 22:  Either the world has gone mad, or new Leicester boss Paul Taylor doesn't know what he's doing, offering £3M for Birmingham's ex-Everton defender, Gary Rowett...
  Everton travel to Elland Road for the first match of the new season on 19 August 2000, where Olivier Dacourt will be keen to preserve the Leeds United hoodoo over The Toffees...

• Jun 21:  Tommy Myhre kept his second clean-sheet of Euro2000 against Slovenia, but Norway paid the price for their lack of attacking flair as Spain scored twice in stoppage time to beat Yugoslavia 4-3, winning Group C, pushing Norway down to 3rd place, and out of the tournament.
  More details about the Dixie Dean statue, commissioned by Everton to stand in the area of Goodison Avenue, where the old houses (and programme shop) have been recently demolished.

• Jun 20:  England had one opportunity to progress forward to the quarterfinals: they needed a result against Romania in Euro2000, and they blew it in the last 5 mins.  Nick Barmby showed why he should have been on from the start, after getting his usual 15 mins of fame at the end.  Sack Keegan!
  Injury kept Abel Xavier out of the Portugal team that beat Germany to put them bottom of Group A.

• Jun 18:  Tommy Myhre picked the ball out of the Norway net for the first time in Euro2000 when Yugoslavia connived to open the scoring after just 8 mins in Amsterdam.  He didn't put a foot wrong after that, but Norway's limited creativity was no match for the spoiling tactics of the nasty cynical artisans from Yugoslavia.

• Jun 17:  Nick Barmby finally made an appearance for England at Euro2000, coming on with 25 mins left in the second half as a sub for Scholes after Shearer had scored the vital goal that gave England a very rare victory over their old rivals.

• Jun 17:  Abel Xavier failed to recover from injury and missed this game for Portugal, as the stars of Group A crept into the Euro2000 Quarterfinals, beating a poor Romania side with a goal in the 4th minute of stoppage time.

• Jun 16:  Everton are to finally install a giant TV screen at Goodison Park.  The  6.4 x 4.8 m screen will be positioned between the Park End and Bullens Road stands.
  Representatives of Everton fans met with Chief Executive Michael Dunford yesterday.  Read Ian MacDonald's notes here.

• Jun 15:  The latest names to be linked with moves to Everton are Alessandro Pistone and Steve Stone.  A £3M bid for Pistone has reportedly been accepted by Newcastle.  Probably more likely than the ridiculous idea of Chris Sutton joining Everton... Meanwhile, Leeds are vehemently denying making any bid for Nick Barmby at £7.5M.

• Jun 13:  Tommy Myhre produced a confident display in goal for Norway as they scored a tremendous win over the "Cream of Europe" - a very average Spain side devoid of any bite.  He did become the first casualty of the new 6-second rule, giving away a free-kick inside his area, but made a handful of vital stops behind a solid and disciplined Norwegian defence.
  Youth and Reserve team player, Carl Regan, who turned down a new contract at Everton, has completed a move to 1st Division Barnsley for a nominal initial fee of around £25k.

• Jun 12:  At 2-2 in a fabulous match, perfect punishment for Kevin Keegan's arrogance and stupidity came within a minute of his decision to snub Nick Barmby and send on Dennis Wise as substitute for McManaman, when Portugal broke quickly for Nuño Gomes to hammer home a brilliant winner.  Abel Xavier played an excellent game at right-back for Portugal, who now lead Group A.  Heskey: total donkey!!!

• Jun 11:  Ireland beat South Africa 2-1 to claim 2nd place in the US Nike Cup without Richard Dunne, who was injury in the first match.

• Jun 10:  Abel Xavier, sporting his shocking new peroxide makeover, has been declared fully fit for Portugal's Euro2000 opening match against England on Monday, as the competition kicks off in Brussels today. 

• June 9:  Everton Youth team goalkeeper, Dean Delaney, who was released by the Club, has been signed by Port Vale.

• Jun 8:  Davey Weir is recovering from an operation on his Achilles tendon, which closely follows a hernia op.  He is, of course, expected to be fully fit in time for the new season.

• Jun 7:  Nick Barmby has rejected a new contract offer at Everton, and is thought to be looking for a move, although he still has a year left on his existing contract, and ongoing negotiations are suspended until after Euro2000.

• Jun 6:  Ireland, without Richard Dunne – who was sustained an ankle injury – but with ex-Evertonians Phelan and Farrelly, were robbed by a controversial equaliser from US hosts in the Nike Cup. 

• Jun 5:  We have been reassured by the knowledge that Walter Smith is looking at least two players: a striker and a right-back.  But not Peter Lovenkrands of AB Copenhagen, who just joined Newcastle for £1.25M...

• Jun 4:  Richard Dunne did something for Ireland that he has never done for Everton: he scored in their 2-2 draw with Mexico in the US Nike Cup in Chicago.
  Mark Hughes is expected to finalise his managerial contract with the Welsh FA that will allow him to see out his two-year playing contract at Everton.

• Jun 3:  Nick Barmby played very well down the left side for England setting up Hesky's goal in their final Euro2000 warm-up match, a poor game against Malta, played in Valetta.  The score: 2-1, or 6-11 on substitutions!
  Tommy Myhre kept a clean sheet against Italy as Norway surprised their Euro2000 rivals 1-0 in Oslo.

• Jun 2:  Wales manager Mark Hughes lost 3-0 to Portugal in Lisbon; Mark Pembridge was out injured and Abel Xavier was not fully fit.
  Walter Smith has firmly rebuffed the advances of Jean Tigana in his attempts to take John Collins to Fulham. 

• Jun 1:  England Under-21s crumbled 2-0 to Slovakia tonight in the last Group B match of MiniEuro200.  Francis Jeffers, largely ineffective, was substituted after 78 mins.  England finished a poor third behind Italy and Slovakia and are now heading home.

• May 31:  Nick Barmby seems set to play a key part in Euro2000 after producing a brilliant cameo role when he came on as a sub to play just 27 mins for England in their 2-0 win over Ukraine at Wembley tonight.  Barmby was them named as one of the 22 players headed for Euro2000.

• May 30:  Don Hutchison was granted Man of the Match status after scoring one and helping to make another as Scotland defeated Ireland 2-1 at Lansdowne Road.  Richard Dunne made a brief sub appearance on 77 mins. 
  And Tommy Myhre has been confirmed as a member of Norway's squad for Euro2000.

• May 29:  Francis Jeffers played his part, scoring the second goal in an important 6-0 victory for England U-21s over Turkey at MiniEuro2000 that keeps them in the running in Group B. Sporting Life Report.

• May 28:  Old Evertonian Stuart Barlow scored from the penalty spot to put Wigan ahead in extra time against Gillingham in the 2nd Division Playoff Final at Wembley, but the southerners equalised, then snatched victory 2 mins before the end of extra time.

• May 27:  Francis Jeffers played the full 90 mins for England Under-21s as MiniEuro200 kicked off in Bratislava.  But he missed two scoring chances as Italy ran out 2 - 0 winners in the first Group B match.
  Nick Barmby gets a derisory 17½ seconds on the pitch for England right at the death of a boring game against a boring Brazil team intent on holding possession and doing nothing with it.   Final Score: 1 - 1.
  Tommy Myhre kept a clean sheet in goal for Norway as they beat Slovakia 2-0.  
  And Abel Xavier is formally named in Portugal's 22-man squad for Euro2000.

• May 26:  Of course Everton qualified for Europe!   But they baulked at the opportunity of starting with the 2nd Round in mid-June as England's second team (Aston Villa enter at the 3rd Round stage).  That honour will now go to lowly Bradford City, who barely avoided relegation.

• May 25:  Press sources are hyping up Francis Jeffers and how a role upfront for England U-21s could "rescue" his injury-ravaged season... And where did he pick up the worst injury?  You got it: playing for England U-21s.

• May 24:  Everton interest in the European League Cup Final?  It was limited to some imaginative touches from Merseysiders: firstly, some Everton fans flying a banner declaring allegiance to Everton and, secondly, the sparkling footwork of another once-Everton fan: Steve McManaman – "a dexterous presence throughout a first half increasingly dominated by the men from Madrid." 

• May 24:  Football League newcomers Kidderminster may or may not be signing old Evertonian Barry Horne on a free transfer after his contract with Sheffield Wednesday expires on 1 July 2000.

• And old Evertonian defender David Burrows has not moved from Coventry to Birmingham City on a free transfer.

• May 23:  Mark Hughes's Welsh charges (excluding the injured Mark Pembridge) lasted over an hour against the Brazil Olé boys before they collapsed to three classy goals.
  Meanwhile, Kevin McLeod has agreed a one-year extension to his contract with Everton.
  ... and beware: 34-year-old scouser Ian Marshall is out of contract at Leicester!!!

• May 23:  An in-depth interview by Len Capeling about the first 100 days of Bill Kenwright's new regime at Everton FC.  Daily Post Interview

• May 23:  Nick Barmby's chances of being in the final 22-man England squad for Euro2000 have improved with the loss of Jason Wilcox through injury.  
  Abel Xavier is also selected for Portugal's squad.

• May 22:  Walter Smith seems set to keep his faith in Paul Gerrard, and sell off Tommy Myhre to anyone who "comes along who would be interested in taking him, to give him an opportunity in their first team."  Tommy Myhre has returned from his loan spell with Birmingham City after failing to secure a place in the 1st Division playoff final.

• May 22:  "I'm not just making empty statements" says vice-chairman Bill Kenwright, as he reviews the immediate financial needs after his takeover put the Club back on a firmer footing: "There is structure now."  Echo Story

• May 21:  Richard Dunne, who is played 64 mins for Ireland tonight in the Cascarino-Staunton testimonial v Liverpool before being substituted with a possible hamstring injury, has been given a whopping five-match suspension for the start of next season.  A red card for foul play at Leeds earned him three; he had already been sent off at Derby, which means another one...  The fifth may well be because he was forcibly withdrawn from the pre-season friendly at Rotherham for a particularly bad tackle. 

• May 20:  For the third year in a row, the team that had the audacity to knock Everton out of the FA Cup have failed yet again in the Cup Final at Wembley: Aston Villa losing 1-0 to Chelsea.
  Former Everton full-back Mike Pejic has been chosen to act as a scout for the England national squad ahead of Euro 2000... er, bit late for that isn't it?

• May 19:  Kevin Campbell has got some sort of infection in his injured knee; he could miss out on pre-season training and possibly the beginning of the new season... 

• May 18:  Archie Knox will be trying to get the best out of geordie Don Hutchison as he gets another chance in the Scotland squad, but Davey Weir is out with his ops.

• May 17:  Richard Dunne has been included in the Republic of Ireland senior squad for their forthcoming friendly tour of North America. 

• May 16:  Davey Weir needs a hernia op... quickly followed by an Achilles operation to sort out another problem.

• May 15:  Leeds have finally confirmed their signing of Olivier Dacourt from Lens for £7.2M.
  Everton reserves drew 2-2 with their Liverpool rivals at Anfield in the last match of the season – goals from the BlueJays: Jeffers & Jevons.

• May 15:  Nick Barmby has finally been called up to the England squad for three pre-Euro2000 friendlies, after a break of 3½ years.

• May 15:  The sudden three-place slide down the final Premiership Table to 13th – we haven't been that low since last August! – has cost Everton nearly £600k in place-money, and the fans a lot more in wounded pride. The "Merit Award" for 13th place is £1,580,952.

• May 14:  Everton fall behind early to Middlesbrough at Goodison Park in the final match of the season, and never look like scoring as Juninho seals a dreadful 0-2 performance and a 13th-place finish for The Toffees.

• May 14:  Puma's new Everton Kit is showcased at the Official Everton Website. New Everton Kit

• May 13:  Tommy Myhre was the unhappy recipient of a Barnsley barrage as Birmingham City crashed 4-0 at home to the Cloggies in the Semi-Final First Leg of their First Division playoff.

• May 12:  Francis Jeffers is the only Everton player to be selected for the England U-21 Championship in Slovakia.  Simonsen, Ball, and Cadamarteri have been passed over.
  Ticket prices at Goodison are set to increase by a further 10% next season, with the introduction of 'premium' pricing for six games against top opposition, when the fans will be asked to fork out an extra £3 per ticket.

• May 11:  An unofficial enquiry about John  Collins from his old club, Celtic, has been firmly rebuffed by Everton. 

• May 10:  A young Everton Reserves side crashed 4-1 in their penultimate match of the season at Sheffield Wednesday.
  Mark Pembridge is suffering from a hamstring injury and is doubtful for the season finale against Middlesbrough

• May 9:  David Weir will undergo surgery early next week on a hernia problem he has been struggling with. Official Webpage Story
  Before the Arsenal game, Everton had a run of FIVE matches without any cards... but after last night's fiasco, its more trouble for the Everton Badboys.  Suspensions for Dunne (3 matches) and Hutchison (1 match) will be carried over to next season. 

• May 8:  A quite unbelievable display of refereeing incompetence from Everton's old adversary, Andy D'Urso, saw him issue 7 yellows and 2 reds to the Blues who finished 1-1 at  Leeds United thanks to a well-taken opportunist goal by Nick Barmby.

• May 7:  Who has performed the most impressive miracle in football management this season? According to Chelsea Chairman Ken Bates in the Sunday People, its our own Walter Smith!
  Mark Hughes and Abel Xavier are possible doubts for the challenging televised encounter with Leeds United tomorrow, but Francis Jeffers is expected to start.

• May 6:  Everton cling tenaciously to the hope of a top-ten finish after favourable results elsewhere on Saturday keep them in 11th place; we could finish anywhere from 8th to 14th...

• May 5:  The Daily Post has published a fuller version of their interview with new Chief Executive, Michael Dunford.

• May 4:  "The next two to three years will make or break this club" – Chief Executive Michael Dunford's view of the daunting task ahead for Everton FC.

• May 3:  Everton Reserves travelled to Ewood Park tonight to give Blackburn Rovers a 4-1 mauling.
  Meanwhile, Tony Cottee struck early and well at Anfield tonight as Leicester ran out 2-0 winners, putting a severe dent in Liverpool's European League/Cup aspirations while pushing Everton down to 11th place. 

• May 2:  Walter Smith has decided not to risk Richard Gough or Joe-Max Moore in either of the two remaining matches of the season as both players are struggling to regain full fitness.
  Michael Dunford, Everton Club Secretary for the last 5½ years, has been appointed Chief Executive in a move which should be widely welcomed by the fans.

• May 1:  Joe Parkinson starts his new job as Fan Liaison Officer for Everton Football Club... Ask Parky!
  And the guests for Parky's testimonial on 12 August 2000 will be Manchester City. 

• Apr 29:  Everton, despite a their best efforts, were clearly outclassed and outplayed by a very competent Arsenal side who ran out 1-0 winners at Goodison Park.

• Apr 28:  Bill Kenwright is meeting with Goodison For-Everton today as the Stadium Debate warms up again.

• Apr 27:  Thomas Myhre is to extend his loan spell with Birmingham City until the end of the season, but Walter Smith assures Evertonians that Norway's Number One will not be transferring to the Brummies.
  For Everton Ladies, midfielder Becky Easton has been named the Nationwide International Player of the Year.  Report
  EVERTON have reportedly signed a 15-year-old goalkeeper Andrew Pettinger, from Scunthorpe in a deal that could be worth up to £400,000 to The Millers. Planet Football Report

• Apr 26:  Everton have offered new contracts to winger Kevin McLeod and defender Carl Regan, but goalkeeper Dean Delaney and defender Adam Farley, both members of the 1998 FA Youth Cup winning team, are being released, as are Gary Dempsey, Carl Howarth (leading U-19 goalscorer!), David Knowles and Jonathan Wright.
  Tonight's reserves mini-derby was postponed until Monday May 15.
  No wins to report for Everton's Foreign Legion:

  • Davey Weir and Don Hutchison played well for Scotland in a 0-0 draw in Holland

  • Richard Dunne played solidly in his first full International as Ireland lost 0-1 to Greece. 

  • Thomas Myhre suffered in goal for Norway as  Belgium beat them 2-0. 

  • And Abel Xavier was on the losing side for Portugal in Italy but Joe-Max Moore missed the USA's first trip to Russia. 

• Apr 25:  The tentative list of pre-season friendlies and testimonials has been published, subject to change if, by some miracle, Everton qualify for the InterToTo Cup. 

• Apr 24:  Today's news is that there is no news, just a long and rather boring list of ridiculous  "transfer targets" – apparently leaked by the club itself to keep the journos and TeamTalk off the real scent!

• Apr 23:  Everton youngsters Stephen Schumacher and Stephen Beck have been playing for the England U-15s against Argentina in France.  Schumacher, who captained the side, scored the only goal in the 1-0 victory, while Beck made an impressive first appearance.

• Apr 22:  The entire Everton community – officials, players, fans – are left fuming today over referee Graham Poll's pathetic excuses for disallowing Everton's bizarre winner against Liverpool yesterday.  The Goal that wasn't (5MB .mpeg video-file)

• Apr 21:  Everton gave neighbours Liverpool A real run for it, but could not penetrate a massed defence until a bizarre incident right at the death, but it finished 0 - 0.  Earlier, Mark Hughes had the best chance and should have scored.

• Apr 20:   Conference club Doncaster have sacked their manager, former Everton midfielder Ian Snodin. Tommy Myhre's loan to Birmingham City has been extended to the end of the season.

• Apr 19:  Everton have opened talks with Nick Barmby about a new contract.  Currently, Barmby could arrange a free Bosman-type move any time after January 2001

• Apr 18:  Everton allowed fans in free of charge for the last home match of the reserves campaign – against Newcastle United at the AutoQuest Stadium, Widnes.  Everton fought out their 4th successive 1-1 draw.  Franny Jeffers played for an hour, but Carl Howarth was the scorer.

• Apr 17: After finally scoring for Everton at Goodison Park, and showing he really can play well, John Collins has committed himself to Everton for the remainder of his 4-year contract. 

• Apr 16:  Deadline day is long past but the idiotic media still talk of transfers.  This time its Didier Martel, Peter Atherton and Temuri Ketsbaia.  Yeah, right.

• Apr 15:  Everton calmly walked over  Bradford City 4-0 with an excellent contribution from Phil Jevons producing the first two goals for Pembridge and Unsworth (his 7th penalty).  Accurate strikes from Collins  and Barmby completed the scoring in the second half.

• Apr 14:  Everton ladies secured a great win at their Liverpool counterparts, the match finishing 4-2 in their favour.

• Apr 11:  Former Everton player Jon O'Connor has been released by Sheffield United after failing to make his mark at Bramall Lane.  O'Connor was at Scunthorpe earlier in the season on trial, and also had a spell with Cambridge United. He is currently in contract talks with Darlington.
  Everton reserves drew 1-1 with Leeds United at Elland Road, Franny Jeffers making his comeback from an ankle injury.

• Apr 12:  Everton have reportedly told Danny Williamson that his contract will be terminated at the end of September – 9 months early – as patience runs out over his chronic injury problems.

• Apr 11:  Mark Hughes is set to be made an honorary fellow at the University of Wales in Bangor.

• Apr 10:  The hypocritical media have a field day over the barracking of Muzzy Izzet by a minority of Everton fans during the Leicester match.

• Apr 9:  Everton ladies secured a great win at their Liverpool counterparts, the match finishing 4-2 in their favour.

• Apr 8:  Everton secure a draw away to Leicester City thanks to an equaliser from Don Hutchison.
  Everton's Under-19 team visit Arsenal in the quarter-final of the National FA Youth Academy League play-offs.
  Everton FC feel obligated to make a profuse apology to Muzzy Izzet and Leicester City over the racist barracking of the Turkey national by a minority of Everton fans following the murder of two Leeds supporters in Istanbul last Wednesday.

• Apr 5:  Francis Jeffers has been sent to Lilleshall to undergo an intensive rehabilitation programme in an effort to get him fit for the derby on the 21st.

• Apr 4:  The great Stadium Debate resurfaces with the news that Bill Kenwright is to commission a feasibility study (sounds familiar!) into the merits of renovating Goodison Park or moving to a new site – probably at Gilmoss.
  Tonight's reserves match at Sheffield Wednesday has been postponed, and will now be played on 10 May.

• Apr 3:  Well-known Everton fan, San Presland walked away from the smash hit TV-Quiz Who Wants to be a Millionare with £8,000 in cash!
  Kevin Campbell underwent knee surgery today and will now be out for the rest of the season.

• Apr 2:  John Collins is now saying he may stay with Everton since his nemesis Don Hutchison is being given the cold shoulder.

• Apr 1:  Everton returned to winning ways with a 4-2 home win against Watford. Both Mark Hughes and Stephen Hughes scored, with the other two Everton goals coming from Joe-Max Moore.
  Everton's Under-19 team reached the last eight of the National FA Youth Academy League play-offs, beating Sheffield Wednesday 2-0 with goals by Leon Osman and Kevin McLeod.

• Mar 31:  Birmingham City obtained special dispensation to sign Thomas Myhre on loan until the end of the season to ease their goalkeeper injury crisis.

• Mar 30:  Everton Former Players Foundation was formally announced with the aim of alleviating the medical and other concerns of ex-players.
  The second Hall of Fame Dinner was held at the Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool.

• Mar 29:  Everton Reserves drew 1-1 with Bolton Wanderers, Leo Osman the scorer.
  Danny Cadamarteri and Michael Ball were involved in England Under-21's European Championship match against Yugoslavia in Barcelona.  Ball was an unused substitute but striker Cadamarteri came on as a sub in the closing stages.

• Mar 28:  Tommy Myhre is reputedly dropped in order to save £300k that Everton would otherwise have to pay Viking Stavanager on his 80th appearance.
  Fulham have sacked manager Paul Bracewell.

• Mar 27:  Jeffers is still having problems with his ankle, and could be out for another month.
  Campbell is expecting word on the need for a knee operation.
  Weir has withdrawn from the Scotland squad with his rib injury.
  On Saturday 5 August, Everton will travel to Exeter City for Chris Curran's testimonial (KO: 3pm).  Everton will also play Plymouth on the 7th, and Yeovil later in the week.

• Mar 26:   Danny Cadamarteri is a late inclusion in the England Under-21 squad for the European Championship play-off game with Yugoslavia.

• Mar 25:  The Everton U-19 team edged past Tottenham Hotspur in the 1st Round Playoffs of the FA Youth Academy U-19 League with a solitary goal by Carl Howarth.  No report yet.

• Mar 25: Everton   but soon fell behind at Sunderland to Summerbee free-kick.  However, Nick Barmby equalised just before the break with a wonderful volley.  Then Phillips scored an excellent goal with 12 mins to go, and Everton crashed to their 3rd successive loss.

• Mar 24:  Contract rebel Don Hutchison has returned to the first-team squad with his tail between his legs after none of those Big Clubs came in to rescue him form his "Goodison Hell".

• Mar 23:  Unfulfilled by the challenges of Chester Zoo, Joe Parkinson has been appointed as the club's first Fans' Liaison Officer...  
  Walter Smith  made it clear that very little would happen on Deadline Day this season...  there were no movements either in or out at Everton today.

• Mar 22:  A strong line-up for Everton Reserves secured a 1-1 draw at Aston Villa tonight.  The team included Myhre, Ball, Dunne (goalscorer), Ward, Cadamarteri, and of course contract rebel Don Hutchison – for whom the club have repulsed a disgraceful £1M bid by Sunderland's Peter Reid – who should know better!

• Mar 21:  Francis Jeffers has returned to light training after recovering from ligament damage to his ankle.  He could be back in action next month.
  Michael Ball, Don Hutchison, Davey Weir and Tommy Myhre have received International call-ups.

• Mar 20:  Everton are giving a one-week trial to Icelandic midfielder, Arnar Gretarson, who is currently out of contract with AEK Athens.

• Mar 20: To compound the team's abysmal result yesterday, new Everton Badboy Mark Hughes picked up his 10th card of the season, and will be suspended for the match at Leicester.

• Mar 19:  Everton started very poorly in front of the Sky cameras, and finished in even worse form, gifting two stupid goals to Newcastle United and throwing away their unbeaten home record.

• Mar 18:  Contrary to earlier information, Everton's Under-19's play their first play-off match next Saturday, at home to Spurs.

• Mar 17:  Tommy Myhre is the latest Everton player to rock the boat, taking issue with Walter Smith's decision to play Paul Gerrard ahead of him.  Perhaps Walter was thinking of Tommy's performance in the Aston Villa match...

• Mar 16:  As if last night's defeat wasn't bad enough, Everton are now being linked with Chris Bart-Williams - surely just a bad joke? 

• Mar 15:  Everton travelled to Coventry City for the rearranged Premiership match, with Mark Hughes making his debut  up-front alongside Joe-Max Moore, who was later replaced by Danny Cadamarteri.  Everton held the line well to the last 5 mins when a rebound was lashed home by Everton's nemesis, Gary McAllister, and a sickening 1 - 0 defeat resulted.

• Mar 14:  Mark Hughes today signed a 14-month deal with Everton, completing a free transfer from Southampton.
  And Everton have cut a £6M shirt sponsorship deal with Puma for the next four years, dumping Umbro.
  Everton reserves lost to Sunderland tonight 0-1 at the AutoQuest Stadium, Widnes.

• Mar 13: Michael Ball and Richard Dunne have called off their silly appeal  following "adverse publicity".  Good lads!
  And the Everton Matchday Programme gained its regular 3rd place accolade from Programme Monthly in the annual Best Programme awards.

• Mar 12:  Today's Sensational Sunday Speculation for Suckers: Viduka from Celtic for £6M!!!
  Arsenal drew 1-1 with Everton in the women's Premier Division. The Gunners went ahead through Rachel Yankey in the 40th minute but Kelly McDougall headed the equaliser 10 minutes into the second half.

• Mar 11:  A heavily weakened Everton squad started brightly in today's Premiership match at Chelsea, with Stephen Hughes making his debut.  Although Wise put Chelsea ahead,  Danny Cadamarteri leveled it in the second half to set up a great closing game.  Everton held on brilliantly against the expensive and highly paid foreign barrage: it finished 1-1.

• Mar 10:  With strikers Kevin Campbell and Francis Jeffers already sidelined, Walter Smith is reeling from the news that David Unsworth, Michael Ball and Scot Gemmill have all been ruled out of the Chelsea match by a virus sweeping the club.  
  Rumours are rife that Everton are soon to complete the transfer of Southampton midfielder and Welsh manager, Mark Hughes as cover up-front following the loss of Kevin Campbell.

• Mar 9: The news about Kevin Campbell's knee injury is BAD!  Ruled out for 4-6 weeks, he needs complete rest, and possibly an operation. 
  Assistant manager Archie Knox will be helping out Craig Brown with the Scotland national squad on a part-time basis.

• Mar 8: The ill-advised public confrontation between Walter Smith and his wayward young charges, Richard Dunne and Michael Ball, set for tomorrow, has been postponed.  The players were taking their case to an FA Tribunal in an effort to reduce the 'harsh' punishment meted out by Walter Smith (fined two week's wages) when the two party-goers missed training on 1 January 2000. 
  Read McNulty's Opinion

• Mar 7: A strong Everton reserves side featuring Hutchison, Dunne, Gerrard, Cadamarteri and Watson beat Sheffield Wednesday 4-2 tonight at the AutoQuest Stadium, Widnes.  
  Everton finally completed the signing of Stephen Hughes from Arsenal.

• Mar 6: Francis Jeffers paid full price for his international call-up, when a scan revealed that his ankle has ligament damage after he was tackled just 4 mins into the England U-21 match with Argentina; he will now be out for at least another month.
  Everton have announced a two-year extension to the sponsorship deal with One2One, worth a paltry £2.5M.

• Mar 5:  Everton are expected to complete the transfer of Stephen Hughes this week, contingent on a medical.  

• Mar 4: Everton played host to strugglers Sheffield Wednesday at Goodison Park.   Davey Weir opened the scoring in the first half with a great header from a Barmby corner, but The Owls equalised after half-time and Everton struggled to a dismal 1-1 draw.
  Everton U-19s beat Stoke City 1-0 to finish as Runners Up in the North West Section of the FA Premier Academy Under 19 League; they now go forward to the playoffs.

• Mar 3: Richard Gough, who is a big doubt for tomorrow's match, has agreed to sign a one-year extension to his existing contract.
  Stephen Hughes  has finally agreed personal terms; he should sign for Everton by Monday, subject to a medical.
  And Everton have announced an InterToto U-turn, claiming they will now enter the much-maligned Euro curtain-raiser.

• Mar 2: The offer made by Bill Kenwright's TrueBlue Holdings to purchase Peter Johnson's shares in Everton FC Co Ltd has been accepted unconditionally.  Peter Johnson has now resigned his position as Director; he is replaced on the Board by Paul Gregg and Jon Woods.
  As many expected, the Stephen Hughes transfer may still go through.  Bill Kenwright has apparently reopened negotiations with the Arsenal midfielder. 
  And Slaven Bilic has signed up with Hajduk Split just 48 hrs after retiring from the Premiership.

• Mar 1: Paul Gerrard came through a practise match at Bellefield today, and is now expected to put pressure on Tommy Myhre in the Everton goal.

• Feb 29: Everton were reportedly about to complete the transfer of Stephen Hughes from Arsenal for the a fee of £3M... but there were problems with the terms of his release from Arsenal, and Everton say the deal is now dead.
  Meanwhile, the club have finally reached agreement with Slaven Bilic to terminate his contract due to injury.  Bilic returns to Split with a £1M payoff – less than half the amount of his remaining contract.

• Feb 28:  Alex Cleland faces an operation on his damaged calf muscle which would end his season.

• Feb 27: After 20 years in the game, Tony Cottee finally won a "major" honour as Leicester City beat Tranmere Rovers in the final of the Worthington League Cup.

• Feb 26: Everton travelled down to East London and dealt with West Ham United in fine style, Nicky Barmby getting a hat-trick, and Joe-Max Moore scoring his now customary goal. Everton win FOUR - nil!
  Everton Under-19s were somewhat less successful, going down 1-4 at Huddersfield.

• Feb 25: Don Hutchison has been stripped of the captaincy and dropped for the West Ham match, and put on the transfer list. 
  Trialist Sébastien Schemmel has returned to Metz after failing to impress the Bellefield Boys.

• Feb 24: Talks between Everton and Don Hutchison collapsed for possibly the last time today, after The Hutch called the club's final offer of an additional £725 per week "a disgrace" – Don wanted another £5k, and could be on his way to Sunderland for £3M right this minute... 
  Everton have confirmed that John Collins wishes to leave Everton at the end of the season, having failed to make the desired midfiled impact.

• Feb 23: Everton Reserves travelled to Teesside where they led Middlesbrough until the 80th minute but it finished 1-1. 

• Feb 22:  Defender Richard Dunne played the full match for the Republic of Ireland U-21 squad which lost 1-2 to Czech Republic tonight. Dean Delaney played in goal for the second half – when both opposition goals were scored!
  Meanwhile, Franny Jeffers was stretchered off with a twisted ankle after just 8 mins of the England U-21 match against Argentina, and will now be sidelined for at least three weeks

• Feb 21:  has arrived on a week's trial from French club Metz. The 26-year-old can play in defence or midfield.

• Feb 20: Everton failed to take full advantage of possession and territory against the unpleasant John Gregory's Aston Villa who came to defend, and score on the break. Everton gave away two soft goals, Joe-Max Moore scoring one clever one, but were unable to break down the Villains in the 2nd half.  It ended 1-2 and Everton miss out yet again.

• Feb 19: Lots of non-news rhetoric flying around in the final build-up to Everton's Big Match tomorrow... 
  Meanwhile, on the field of play, Everton's U-19s travelled to Coventry and ran up a 3-goal lead in the first half, thanks to a Carl Howarth hat-trick. But Coventry came back strongly with two quick goals, the blues holding on to win 3-2.

• Feb 18: Defender Richard Gough is still recovering from a knock, and is considered a doubt for Sunday's match, as is Villa's keeper, David James.

• Feb 17: No real surprise that Kevin Keegan avoided selecting either Nick Barmby or Kevin Campbell for the England squad to play Argentina.

• Feb 16: Francis Jeffers and Michael Ball have both been selected for the England U-21 squad to face Argentina at Craven Cottage on 22 February 2000.

• Feb 15: Everton Reserves were beating Aston Villa at the AutoQuest Stadium in Widnes tonight by 1-0 with 8 mins remaining after an early goal from Leon Osman.

• Feb 14: Walter Smith has taken his threadbare Everton Squad up north for a break in the Scottish town of Ayr as he prepares them for the massive game against Aston Villa on Sunday.

• Feb 13:  John Collins on the bench – struggling to get a game? Obviously, he'll be off back to Monaco, then... Or is this more typical tabloid twaddle from the Sunday People???

• Feb 12: Goals from Joe-Max Moore and Michael Ball (penalty) set Everton up well by half-time, but Derby County made a game of it in the second half after key substitutions from Jim Smith. It finished 2-1, with Everton moving briefly up to seventh!

• Feb 11: David Unsworth is suspended for tomorrow's game with Derby County, when Joe-Max Moore and Cadamarteri are expected to start alongside the returning Nick Barmby.

• Feb 10: Everton's star midfielder Mark Pembridge has been called up for the Wales squad to face the mighty Qatar team in a friendly later this month.

• Feb 9: Everton's Easter Monday fixture at Coventry has been brought forward to Wednesday 15 March, KO: 7:45 pm.

• Feb 8: Everton Reserves could only draw 1-1 with Barnsley at the AutoQuest stadium, despite fielding such stars as Ward, Gemmill, Xavier, and Degn.

• Feb 7: With his two excellent headers at the weekend, Kevin Campbell has staked his claim as the season's leading Everton goalscorer, and has suddenly jumped up to 5th place in the table of leading Premiership Goalscorers, with 12 so far.

• Feb 6: Everton eventually strolled to a great 3-0 victory over Wimbledon in the televised Sky match, with Campbell getting two headers and then setting up Joe-Max Moore for the third goal.

• Feb 5:  Everton 'sUnder-19 team recovered from their FA Youth Cup exit to win 2-0 in the FA Youth Premier League against Bolton.

• Feb 4: Former Everton goalkeeping legend Neville Southall might have played his 977th and last senior game when Torquay United finally pulled his week-to-week contract, but Paul Jewell has rescued the aging maestro for duty at Bradford City.

• Feb 3: Lots of team selection speculation and uncertainty for the weekend, with Barmby suspended, Hutchison suffering from tonsillitis, Xavier and Collins fit, Jeffers in need of a rest...

• Feb 2: Everton's upwardly mobile youngsters have been stopped dead in their tracks by Crewe Alexandra, who walked away form Goodison Park with a 1-0 victory over the Young Blues in the 5th Round of the FA Youth Cup tonight.

• Feb 1: After failing to get anywhere in Walter Smith's threadbare squad, full-back Terry Phelan is set to move to Fulham this week, probably on a free transfer.

• Jan 31: The latest Don Hutchison rumour doing the rounds is an imminent move to Sunderland... if he does not sign a generous contract extension with Everton.

• Jan 30: Everton will play Aston Villa at Goodison Park in the 6th Round of the FA Cup on Sunday 20 February at 4pm; the match will be broadcast live on Sky Tv and around the world....  
  And David Unsworth picked up his 5th yellow card of the season yesterday; he will miss the home match with Derby County. EvertonBadboys

• Jan 29: John Collins missed Everton's critical FA Cup 5th Round clash with Preston NE but goals by Unsworth and Joe-Max Moore wrapped it up despite resilient efforts from the Ducks...
  The Everton U-19s beat Middlesbrough 3-0.

• Jan 28:  Past-blue Ian Wilson will manage Peterhead, the latest addition to the Scottish League. And Dave Jones, the beleaguered Southampton manager, has been given a year off to address his legal defence of child-abuse charges.

• Jan 27: Sky Tv have induced Everton to bring forward the derby match with Liverpool to 8 pm on Good Friday, 21 April, much to the extreme annoyance of many Everton fans who have already made their travel plans for this  highly anticipated match.

• Jan 26: Everton manager Walter Smith has finally signed his much-heralded contract extension, after a hold-up due to "minor technicalities"...
  Although there has been no official acceptance of Kenwright's bid by Peter Johnson, it seems that the making of the offer itself is enough to signal completion of the deal. All media sources are now proclaiming Bill Kenwright as Everton's new majority share owner, even though the process will not be completed for at least another month. Congratulations, Bill!

• Jan 25: Everton Reserves beat Manchester United's alternative first-team squad at the AutoQuest Stadium by a score of 2-1. Tommy Myhre was in goal, Phil Jevons scored twice, but Joe-Max Moore limped off 5 mins before the end. Full Report.

• Jan 25: B as in Bid and B as in Billy... As the deadline expires tonight, Kenwright has reportedly made his formal £20M bid to buy Johnson's shares, and anyone else's who wants to sell at today's clearance price of £857. Liverpool Echo.

• Jan 24: A planned operation to remove a piece of detached bone form Tommy Myhre's ankle has been postponed following the groin injury to Paul Gerrard at the weekend, which could keep him out for around three weeks.

• Jan 23:  It was almost inevitable that Mr D'Urso should interpret the new mood of leniency from the FA as his opportunity to book seven players yesterday, including a 5th of the season for Nick Barmby. He will now miss the televised Wimbledon match on 6 February 2000.

• Jan 22: Everton travel down to the Dell for another important (they are all important!) Premiership match with Southampton but effectively throw the match after missing glorious chances in the first half, then gifting two silly goals to the Saints... 
  Everton U-19 team are back on the road again after a long winter break, and celebrate with a 3-0 win at Crewe Alexandra. No report yet...  

• Jan 21: Everton's home match with Newcastle United has been put back 25 hrs to 4pm on Sunday 19 March, when it will be broadcast live on Sky TV and around the world.

• Jan 20: With a flood of reserve matches in the next few weeks, Walter Smith has curtailed any more loan deals for his players – with the possible exception of Tommy Myhre...  
  The transfer of yet another much-hyped young Everton superstar, Michael Branch, has finally been completed with Wolves paying a fee of £500k, rising to £625k depending on appearances.

• Jan 19: Everton's young guns won through in a difficult match against an obdurate Brighton & Hove Albion in the 4th Round of the FA Youth Cup, captain Peter Clarke scoring the wining goal, a penalty on 18 mins...  Everton are not having much success convincing their World Cup defender Slaven Bilic that he is finished. Slaven knows he can continue to cream >£20k a week from the club for doing nothing in Croatia, and he seems to have no intention of retiring gracefully. The lawyers have now been called in... Everton have told Birmingham City that they cannot take striker Danny Cadamarteri on loan to ease their injury crisis. Walter Smith needs him for cover up-front in his own "paper-thin" squad. However, Jamie Milligan may be going out on loan to Darlington...

• Jan 18: The Football League have stepped in to block Crystal Palace from extending Terry Phelan's loan until the end of the season – because season-long loans are limited to players under 23; the Republic of Ireland full-back is too old at 32! 

• Jan 17: Everton Reserves finally took to the pitch at Bradford City tonight after a 2-month layoff, and proceeded to lose 2-3.

• A loan move for Tommy Myhre to Spanish Liga club Sevilla has fallen through after Walter Smith rejected the Fifa-mandated restrictions and conditions requiring a 3-month no-recall deal that would prevent Myhre renewing his  Everton registration with the FA before the March transfer deadline. 

• Jan 16: Sunday: speculation day for transfers; today its Ruel Fox to Everton, and Don Hutchison to Real Madrid...

• Jan 15: Everton played host to Tottenham Hotspur in the Premiership at Goodison Park today. As usual, Everton scored first with a good Campbell header, but Spurs immediately replied from Armstrong and got a spawny second from Ginola. Everton attacked and attacked but it was not until the 92nd minute that Joe-Max Moore grabbed a priceless late equaliser!

• Jan 14:  The fourth official for the game with Spurs on Saturday  was due to be Rob Harris, the referee suspended for Tranmere's substitution fiasco against Sunderland last weekend. Uriah Rennie will now take his place... For Everton, Richard Gough remains a doubt after training for the first time on Thursday.

• Jan 13: Everton are talking of allowing Tommy Myhre to go out on loan again so that he can get senior-level exposure and stake his claim for Norway's Number 1 jersey in Euro 2000... The chronic foot injury sidelining Danny Williamson (Who?) has now replicated itself in his other foot! Renowned fuß-Doktor Hans Muller Wolfarht is completely mystified...

• Jan 12: Its a slow day today: Richard Gough may or may not be fit for Saturday... The Don may or may not be finalizing a new contract... Branch may or may not have actually signed for Wolves...

• Jan 11: Everton's US international, Joe-Max Moore, has been excused from playing in the Concacaf Gold Cup next month, in order to better establish his Everton career.

• Jan 10: The transfer of yet another much-hyped young Everton superstar, Michael Branch, has been delayed so that he may play for Wolves in their next cup-tie(s) while he is still technically on loan.

• Jan 9: Everton have been drawn at home to 2nd Division high-flyers Preston North End in the 5th Round of the FA Cup. The tie should be played on Saturday 29 January 2000.

• Jan 8: Everton welcomed First Division club Birmingham City to Goodison Park for the 4th Round of the FA Cup and made heavy work of it, but finally ran out 2-0 winners after a brace of penalties from Unsworth.

• Jan 7: The pervasive problem of racist idiots who exist in all sections of society has again pointed the spotlight on racism amongst Everton fans. A survey by the Sir Norman Chester Centre asserts that more Everton fans hear racist remarks (Guardian Report). Given the context of the survey, it probably means that Everton fans are actually more honest about this problem than fans of other clubs.

• Jan 6: Errant youngsters Michael Ball and Richard Dunne are apparently back in the squad to play Birmingham City in the FA Cup on Saturday after being disciplined by Walter Smith for missing training on New Year's Day.

• Jan 5: Lawyers and accountants are due to start their detailed examination of the books at Goodison Park in the penultimate step, called due diligence, that should pave the way for Bill Kenwright's £20M takeover bid to go through.

• Jan 4: With his loan deal extended to 22 January, it seems Michael Branch is all set to sign a £500k deal (rising to £650k) with loan club Wolves... Nick Barmby is nursing a heavily bruised knee after suffering a vicious feet-first charge from Tim Flowers that went totally unpunished last night. He is currently doubtful for Saturday's FA Cup clash with Birmingham City.

• Jan 3: Everton entered the new Millennium in very poor form, escaping with a draw against the foxes of Leicester City who went at them more like terriers. It finished 2-2 after Barmby was lost early on to a horrific charge by Flowers.

• Jan 2: Michael Ball and Richard Dunne both got themselves in hot water with Walter Smith by not training on Saturday after New Year's Eve benders, and are being disciplined. Both were fined a week's wages, and banned from Goodison for the Leicester City match.

• Jan 1: New Year's Eve didn't go too well for Francis Jeffers. He was arrested for being drunk and disorderly after going to the aid of Don Hutchison outside a Liverpool hotel and getting drawn into a fracas. He was held for four hours in a police cell, and cautioned. Full Story

• Dec 31: Former Everton players, Ray Wilson and Alan Ball – both key members of England's World Cup winning team in 1966 – have been awarded MBEs in the New Year's Honours List.

• Dec 30: Tommy Myhre returns from his loan spell with Glasgow Rangers to an uncertain future at Goodison Park. It is unclear how he will bump Paul Gerrard from the first-choice goalkeeper spot... Meanwhile, Terry Phelan has agreed to extend his loan spell at Crystal Palace into a third and final month.

• Dec 29: Its official! Everton have the best top-flight record of the Millennium, amassing a total of 4,327 points over 96½ seasons in the Premier League and the former Football League Division One. Better than any other team, including Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal. All-time table... And to combat their very own millennium bug, Walter Smith has closed Bellefield and sent the players home for a few days in an attempt to end the flu epidemic that has affected a number of them... A couple of players in the Everton Squad picked up injuries at Valley Parade. John Collins turned his ankle, but should be OK for Leicester; Alex Cleland damaged a calf and could be out for two weeks.

• Dec 28: Everton traveled to Valley Parade to take on Bradford City in a tense and action-packed match which ultimately finished 0-0. Kevin Campbell was absent with leave to witness his wife giving birth to a bouncing baby boy; Mini-Kev weighed in at 8 lbs 5 oz. Uriah Rennie of course booked Don Hutchison for dissent: his 8th card of the season; he will now miss Spurs (h).

• Dec 27: Sir Philip Carter has made a clear indication that the Club will seek to involve the massive fanbase in the quest to raise funds for the new regime. This is a tacit recognition of Everton Fans Trust. Contribute now!

• Dec 26: A massive Boxing Day fixture sees the return of Peter Reid's Sunderland to Goodison Park and the biggest crowd of the season. Everton get off to a fantastic start with Hutchison inspiring a stunning 3-0 lead by half-time. It finished 5-0 and Everton celebrated Bill Kenwright's coup in fine style! And in a press conference just after the match today, it was announced that Everton manager Walter Smith has agreed a 2-year extension to his contract, tying him to Everton for the NEXT 3½ YEARS!

• Dec 25: Seasons Greetings from ToffeeWeb to all our website visitors. Thanks for your continuing support.

• Dec 24: The word late on Christmas Eve is that Peter Johnson has accepted in principle Bill Kenwright's £21M bid for his 68% shareholding in Everton FC. The agreement amounts to an exclusive deal which will prevent other bids form being lodged, and which will only fail if Kenwright backs out. Due diligence will now occur, mainly as a formality before the official transfer of share ownership takes place early in the New Year.

• Dec 23: John O'Kane has finally signed for Bolton Wanderers on a free transfer, and Joe Royle has completed the £450,000 transfer of Tony Grant to Manchester City.

• Dec 22: Past Everton player, Earl Barrett has been forced to retire from the game at the age of 32 after struggling to recover from a serious knee injury while with Sheffield Wednesday...  This time its for real... or so says one famous journo-hack: Ian Ross insists in The Guardian that Bill Kenwright is 48 hours away form submitting a paltry £21M bid for Peter Johnson's shares.

• Dec 21: In a very unconvincing showing ,Everton scraped through against lowly Exeter City 1-0 in the 3rd Round replay, with a late, late goal from Nick Barmby.

• Dec 20: The third Everton Reserves match in a row has been postponed – this time because of a frozen pitch. At this rate, Joe-Max Moore will never get enough match practice to play for the first team! 

• Dec 19: It appears that Gareth Farrelly actually completed his move to Bolton Wanderers on Friday, for around £300,000.Dec 18: Francis Jeffers missed the match against Watford, having come down with the flu. But Don Hutchison, playing in his stead up-front, inspired a vital if nervous 3-1 win, made secure at the end with a penalty from Unsworth.

• Dec 17: In the Everton Under-19 match vs Liverpool, postponed from October, Leon Osman inspired the kids back to winning ways with a great 1-0 victory at Kirkby Youth Academy.

• Dec 16:  Richard Gough is back in training but both him and John Collins are carrying injuries that could affect their inclusion for Saturday's match at Watford.

• Dec 15: The transfer of Gareth Farrelly and John O'Kane to First Division Bolton Wanderers appears to be imminent... Peter Johnson met with the Independent Blues at noon today, somewhat reluctantly after trying to give them the brush-off. For a summary, click here.

• Dec 14: The Reserves match against Barnsley tonight at the AutoQuest Stadium has been postponed due to "adverse weather conditions". It will now be played on Monday, 20 December; Kick Off: 7pm.

• Dec 13: Bolton Wanderers do not appear to be following up Gareth Farrelly's loan spell with a firm offer, so the out-of-favour midfielder has returned to Bellefield, and more matches in the reserves... if the weather ever lets up!

• Dec 12: In the draw for the 4th Round of the FA Cup, Exeter City or Everton will play Birmingham City... And in the FA Youth Cup, Everton have a home tie with Brighton, to be played on 19 January 2000... The Independent Blues – after originally announcing a demonstration at Park Foods – have been contacted by Peter Johnson himself. A meeting will be taking place in the next day or so.

• Dec 11: In a rather dubious result, Everton are unable to score against Exeter City, despite having total control of the 3rd Round FA Cup tie at St James Park. So the teams will play at Goodison after all... Replay: Tuesday 21 December.

• Dec 10:  Eddie Cavanagh, the First Hooligan who staged a famous one-man pitch invasion of the 1966 FA Cup Final, died at his home yesterday. Rest in Peace, a True Blue.

• Dec 9: The Independent Blues have called off a protest at Park Foods tomorrow (Friday) against Peter Johnson after the ex-Chairman agreed to give the association an update on the takeover saga... Alan Ball has been sacked from his managerial post at Portsmouth, and now claims he will hang up his... er, well, he's not taking any more jobs after a singularly unsuccessful career in football management.

• Dec 8: The Reserves match against Blackburn Rovers tonight was called off due to a waterlogged pitch, denying Joe-Max Moore some much-needed  match practice.

• Dec 7: Dave Watson is finally feeling the pain., and acknowledges to the Daily Post that this may well be his last season.

• Dec 6: The FA Cup 3rd Round tie between Exeter City and Everton on Saturday is to be shown on the Jumbotron at Goodison Park via closed-circuit TV from St James' Park. Admittance: £8 (concessions: £5)... Speculation about the future of Everton captain, Don Hutchison continues to exercise the  weekend tabloids. Spurs, Leeds, Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Inter Milan? Place your bets, please... Joe-Max Moore started training for Everton today, despite claims that Walter Smith is unable to strengthen his small squad (FIVE out on loan, remember!)

• Dec 5: The Guardian reported yesterday that Peter Johnson's company, the Park Group, are now selling miniature models of famous football grounds... all except Goodison Park!

• Dec 4: Everton travelled to Old Trafford to take on the newly crowed World Club Champions Manchester United and just fell apart after Jeffers bundled in an early goal on 6 mins. A dodgy penalty against them, followed by FOUR goals from the baby-faced assassin... 5-1; humiliating. The Under-19 team also lost to Manchester United, by a 2-0 scoreline.

• Dec 3: Michael Branch scored 2 of Wolves' 4 goals as they defeated 1st Division leaders Man City... Joe-Max Moore has been granted a work permit and should be eligible for the Exeter City FA Cup tie next weekend, if registered with the FA by midnight tonight.

• Dec 2: The first media recognition of Black Watch and the Everton Fans Trust has come from TeamTalk, who have just discovered the website...  As expected, Danny Cadamarteri has returned early from Fulham, after his loan period involved a sending off; he now starts a 3-match suspension...

• Dec 1: Colin Harvey's young Everton charges made a nervous start to this season's FA Youth Cup campaign with a narrow 3rd Round victory 1-0 over Norwich, thanks to a late own-goal by Michael Merrick... Goodison Park is one of seven English stadiums that meet Fifa World Cup requirements for pitch size and space; Anfield does not!

• Nov 30: Walton MP Peter Kilfoyle has been blowing his top in frustration over the impotence of the football authorities in dealing with Peter Johnson's blatant breaching of their rules on dual club ownership. Full Story... Kevin Campbell was voted Merseyside Footballer of the Year in a Moat House Hotel ceremony last night.

• Nov 29: Lots of non-news today: Bilic may retire, Joe-Max may get his work permit; Tommy Myhre may stay with Rangers; Tony Grant may start on Saturday; there may be a takeover announcement; Francis Jeffers may be voted Young Merseyside Player of the Year... blah, blah, blah.

• Nov 27: Everton played Aston Villa to a dreadful 0-0 draw with a   "completely forgettable first half", and it was little little better in the second. Its now 7 matches and 2 months without a win...

• Nov 26:  Everton's high-flying Under-19 team were brought crashing down to earth with their first defeat of the season, at home, to ... Liverpool! Arrrghh! Full Report.

• Nov 25: Tommy Myhre keeps a clean sheet for Rangers as they beat Borrusia Dortmund 2-0 in the Uefa Cup at Ibrox... With one month of this loan deal still to run, Tommy Johnson has returned to Celtic following a decision by Walter Smith not to pursue a permanent transfer... Meanwhile, Terry Phelan's loan deal with Crystal Palace has been extended to a second month.

• Nov 24: Paul Gerrard has agreed new terms in a 3-year extension to his Everton contract, with 18 months still to go. The new deal now runs through mid-2004.

• Nov 23: Sheffield United manager Adrian Heath has resigned amid some sort of rumpus at Bramhall Lane... Despite rabid speculation, the 3rd Round FA Cup Tie at Exeter City will not be switched to Goodison Park... Walter Smith has come to the rescue of his old club Rangers as they face a goalkeeper crisis: Tommy Myhre has moved north on a one-month loan and will play in the Uefa Cup against Borussia Dortmund on Thursday.... Everton Reserves lost 1-0 to Middlesbrough tonight at the AutoQuest Stadium, Widnes.

• Nov 22: Michael Branch hasn't gone on a month's loan to Bristol City – he's gone to Wolves! – the fifth player in our "thin" squad to be temporarily playing elsewhere...  Everton slip to 12th in the Premiership as Coventry beat Aston Villa 2-1 today.

• Nov 21: After the FA Cup Third Round draw, made today, Everton will travel to Exeter City. Ties to be played on 11 December or thereabouts... Its taken a while, but Everton Badboy, Don Hutchison finally picked up his dreaded 5th yellow card against Chelsea. He will miss the visit to Manchester Utd in a fortnight... Danny Cadamarteri, on loan at Fulham, was sent off – for stamping on Jason McAteer!

• Nov 20: Francis Jeffers returned to play the full 90 mins against Chelsea, setting up Campbell's goal which would have been a winner but for some silliness from Dunne and Cleland that allowed Chelsea to grab a last minute equalizer, despite being down to 10 men after Leboeuf had walked. 1-1 final score.... The Inaugural Meeting of Everton Fans' Trust took place in The Sandon, Oakfield Road, at 11:30am.

• Nov 19:  John Collins has announced he is retiring from International football after making 58 appearances for Scotland, and scoring 12 goals... John O'Kane has followed Gareth Farrelly on a month's loan with Bolton Wanderers.

• Nov 17: In Part II of the Battle of Britain, its first blood to the Scots as Don Hutchison heads home after 29 mins of a first half were Scotland have dominated at Wembley.... Dave Watson has undergone surgery on a knee problem, and will be out of action for at least a month.

• Nov 16: Everton's Under-19 team carried on their superb record, defeating Bolton Wanderers 3-1 away in Accrington Stanley, of all places! .... Don "The Hatchet" Hutchison is a doubt for Wednesday's Battle of Britain, Part II.... Meanwhile, Francis Jeffers thinks he is ready to return against Chelsea on Saturday – the match will be televised *Live* around the world; kick off: 15h00 GMT.... And ex-Everton captain Kevin Ratcliffe has been appointed manager of Third Division Shrewsbury.

• Nov 15: Ex-Everton player, Gary Megson, has been replaced as manager of Second Division Stoke City by Icelander Gudjon Thordarson, following the takeover of the Potters by an Icelandic consortium.

• Nov 14: Gareth Farrelly scores for Bolton with his first touch of the ball as he starts his loan spell in surprising style.... And Fulham are being quoted a £2M price tag for super striker Danny Cadamarteri...

• Nov 13: US International Striker Joe-Max Moore has signed a 3½-year contract with Everton, but he will require a work permit before he can play... Everton Reserves crashed 2-4 to a strong Manchester United team at Gigg Lane.... And in the Euro 200 playoffs, Everton's Braveheart trio of Collins, Weir and Hutchison did their best for Scotland but failed to prevent England taking a 2-0 lead for the Second Leg.

• Nov 12: Francis Jeffers has suffered a setback to his hopes for a speedy return to first team action. It is now unlikely that Jeffers will be available for the forthcoming Chelsea game.

• Nov 11:  A Black Watch poster is circulated in Liverpool, announcing the formation of Everton Fans' Trust and its associated action group.  An Everton Select squad travelled north to Kilmarnock for Ally Mitchell's Testimonial tonight, which finished 1-1 after Tommy Johnson scored in the sixth minute. In other news, Gareth Farrelly has joined Bolton Wanderers on a month's loan.

• Nov 10: Reports from the USA suggest that Joe-Max Moore is signing a 3½-year contract with Everton. However, he will require a work permit... Joe Parkinson has been forced to accept the sad truth that many feared: his football career is over.

• Nov 9: Franny Jeffers should start in the Testimonial at Kilmarnock on Thursday. But Michael Ball has been withdrawn from the England U-21 squad and could be sidelined for 2 or 3 weeks with a hamstring problem.

• Nov 8: Tommy Myhre played his first match for six months in a young Everton team that failed to score against Tranmere Rovers during 120 minutes of a Liverpool Senior Cup quarter-final, going out 2-3 on penalties. Full Report. At the weekend, Clifford "Buckley" Finch, despised and discredited ex-director of Everton, tried to deflect accusations of gross mismanagement away from his good friend of 25 years, Peter Johnson, by claiming that past Everton managers have wasted money on poor transfers. Sorry, Buckley: it just ain't so. Six bookings yesterday, but thankfully no suspensions as a result for our Everton Badboys. However, Michael Ball (hamstring) and Alex Cleland (thigh strain) are added to the lengthening injury list.  

• Nov 7: Everton travelled to the Northeast and scraped a creditable 1-1 draw with Newcastle United. Duncan Ferguson missed a few good chances for the Magpies in the first half before Alan Shearer scored from the spot, but Kevin Campbell saved the day for the Blues with a diving header – his fourth goal in three games!

• Nov 6: Everton's Under-19s confirm they are back to winning ways with a 3-1 victory over Crewe. Full Report. Meanwhile, Everton hang on to 10th place in the Premiership Table after today's results. The latest twist in the takeover saga reported in the Financial Times is that Philip Green, who bought out Sears, is backing Billy Kenwright's non-bid of £21M for Johnson's shares. And Danny Cadamarteri scores for Fulham on his loan debut... but the they lose 2-1

• Nov 5: Abel Xavier and Scot Gemmill should both be fit to play Newcastle United on Sunday, but Gemmill has been left out of the Scotland squad to face England next week.

• Nov 4: Read a detailed analysis of the takeover morass that pulls no punches, from The Independent. Danny Williamson is making a second trip to German foot doctor Hans Muller Wohlfahrt in an effort to cure his long-term injury. Joe McAlpine, one of Everton's youth players who was found guilty of a silly prank – nicking hubcaps in Glasgow – has had his contract terminated for a "breach of club discipline."

• Nov 3: Danny Cadamarteri has sealed a one-month loan deal with Fulham, while the other loaner, Tony Grant, will be returning from Tranmere Rovers, where he has been out with injury (surprise, surprise!). Ex-Evertonian Brian Kidd has been sacked as Blackburn Rovers manager after their dismal start to life in the Nationwide.

• Nov 2: The Everton lads are drawn away to Norwich City in the Third Round of the FA Youth Cup. Ties to be played by 11 December. Warburg Pincus have pulled out of any bid for Johnson's shares, probably as a result of their due diligence exercise. Everton are to play at Kilmarnock in a testimonial for Ally Mitchell, on Thursday 11 November. Kick Off: 7:30 pm GMT. The Reserves travelled to Barnsley and got back to winning ways with a 4-2 victory. Goals came from Tommy Johnson (2), Milligan & Cadamarteri but  Tommy Myhre did not make an appearance for Everton.

• Nov 1: Joe-Max Moore returned to the States after a flying visit last week; he will need a work permit if Walter Smith is to pursue his signature.

• Oct 31: After two successive games without a single card, Everton's Badboys are back in the spotlight. Davey Weir's red card means he will miss Chelsea (h) on 20 Nov.

• Oct 30:  Everton went off to the Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough for another key encounter. But after another great early goal from Kevin Campbell, it ended 2-1 to Boro with Davey Weir sent off for holding back Ricard. Meanwhile, the Under-19s returned to winning ways, beating Sunderland 2-1 away.

• Oct 29: As soon as we acknowledge that something might be actually happening on the transfer front, reports suggest the Branch deal has fallen through....

• Oct 28: Bristol City are persistently reported to be in negotiations with Everton for the possible transfer of Michael Branch, for a fee of between £500k and £750k.

• Oct 27: Everton are unlikely to do much about Don Hutchison's contract – which still has 18 months to run – because his financial demands are simply unaffordable as the club's debts are mounting again... Full Story

• Oct 26: Although the Echo says Everton have no new injury worries, it is being reported elsewhere that Scot Gemmill was taken off against Leeds United with a hamstring injury and may consequently miss the Middlesbrough and Newcastle United matches.

• Oct 25: Everton have taken 27-year-old US striker Joe Max-Moore on a week's trial. Max-Moore has played 60 times for the US national team and currently plays for New England Revolution in the Major Soccer League.

• Oct 24: In a fabulous game, Leeds United, top of the table and on an 11-game winning streak, come to Goodison for a 4-4 thriller, with Davey Weir levelling the scores for Everton in the last minute after two superb goals from Kevin Campbell, and one from The Don in the first half.

• Oct 23: Everton Under-19s remain unbeaten despite failing to score for the first time this season, drawing 0-0 at Manchester City.

• Oct 22: Another member of Everton's notoriously thin squad has been allowed out on loan: Terry Phelan joins Crystal Palace for one month, now that the London club is once again allowed to complete such deals.Everton have finally admitted that they are seeking insurance compensation on Slaven Bilic, who is being forced to retire from playing professional football.

• Oct 22: In Everton's 120th AGM, Bill Kenwright and Arthur Abercromby were re-elected to the board of directors, Sir Philip Carter explained how the rest of the Board were kept in the dark by Peter Johnson's whip-hand over the finances, and Walter Smith blew off some steam about gross mis-management of club, including the true tale surrounding the departure of Big Dunc.

• Oct 21: Mark Pembridge, who strained his knee ligaments against Sheffield Wednesday last month, has resumed full training.

• Oct 20: Tommy Johnson limped off at half-time last night in the Reserves match, suffering a calf injury after a heavy challenge from Michael Duberry. He is now a doubt for Sunday's clash with Leeds United.

• Oct 19: Everton Reserves could only draw 3-3 with a strong Leeds United's second string at the AutoQuest Stadium, Widnes. In the Takeover Saga, Iranian diamond magnate Hedy Shor's British representative, Younes Sabet, has now contacted Johnson's people at Arthur Anderson to make their interest in the club takeover official. And if you believe the Daily Post, a Northwest business consortium going by the name of Project Toffee, and including Gerry White, is coming out of the shadows to bid £44M for the Club.

• Oct 18: The bidding finally gets serious, with as many as three interested groups vying for Peter Johnson's 68% stake in Everton Football Club Co Ltd.

• Oct 17: A loan move to Birmingham City for Michael Branch was bizarrely reversed by Walter Smith who phoned Trevor Francis to tell him Twiggy was not fit, and that he should return to Merseyside...

• Oct 16: Everton got off to a great start at Highbury, with a brilliant early free-kick from Collins beating Seaman, but Arsenal came back with a vengeance and it ended 1-4. Meanwhile, Everton U-19s could only draw 1-1 v Manchester United. And Peter Johnson has apparently accepted an offer from American Investment Bank, EM Warburg Pincus & Co, subject to negotiating a contract and completing a due diligence review of Everton's books. But there are other bids also: this may just be the beginning of the end for the much-hated Peter Johnson.

• Oct 15:  In a ridiculous move to placate the International camps in the week before England play Scotland, Everton's rare Monday Night Sky TV fixture at Newcastle next month has been brought forward one day – as if that will make any difference – to Sunday 7 November at 3pm, and will no longer be televised.

• Oct 14: Rumours abound that a "mystery bid" of £24M is about to be made by an unnamed financial institution for Peter Johnson's shares.

• Oct 13: The Euro 2000 play-offs draw sets up the prospect of at least three Everton players battling it out for Scotland against England next month for a place in the finals.

• Oct 12: In a rich twist of irony, Tony Grant – on loan from Everton – steps up to score the winner for Peter Johnson's other club, Tranmere Rovers, in their 3rd Round Worthington Cup tie with Oxford United, who got there by sinking Everton's second string a few weeks back. If only....

• Oct 11: Davey Weir plays for a motley World XI against Manchester United in Sir Alex Ferguson's Testimonial at Old Trafford. And with Craig Brown crowing about the new force in his Scotland team, Don Hutchison appears set on deepening the rift with Everton supporters as he nonchalantly claims his ambition is to play in Serie A.

• Oct 10: Tommy Myhre is still not over his injury problems. He has some soreness in his kicking foot, and is unlikely to be back in action before the end of October.

• Oct 9: Don Hutchison was on target for Scotland as they beat Lithuania 3-0 at Hampden Park. Davey Weir played in defence, but Scot Gemmill was on the bench, with John Collins out recovering from a rib injury. Meanwhile,  Everton Reserves crashed 0-2 to their Liverpool rivals at the Autoquest Stadium, Widnes today – their second defeat in a row after making a good start to the new season. Elsewhere, Abel Xavier came on as a sub and scored the vital last goal in a 3-0 victory that puts Portugal into Euro 2000 as the one of the best runners-up on goal difference. And Slaven Bilic does not play for Croatia in their 2-2 draw with Yugoslavia.

• Oct 8: Michael Ball was reduced to an 83rd-min sub for the England U-21 team that beat Denmark U-21 4-1 at Bradford City. Meanwhile, with no interest being expressed in John O'Kane, he has been allowed to leave on a free transfer... but he might not actually go anywhere.

• Oct 7: Danny Williamson flies to Munich so that Dr Hans Muller Wolfarht can prognosticate on his long-standing foot problem.

• Oct 6: Newspaper reports have Hedy Shor flying in imminently for face-to-face talks with Peter Johnson to establish a price of Everton shares... Any advance on £38M?  Meanwhile, Scotland qualified for the Euro 2000 play-offs last night when a first-half penalty against Bosnia was converted by Everton's John Collins, to give the Celts a 1-0 win. Collins later assumed the captaincy when Hendry went off injured. Davey Weir also played, but Scot Gemmill was not in the final 16. During his match-winning exploits, John Collins aggravated a rib injury, and has returned to Bellefield for treatment after pulling out of Saturday's Scotland match with Lithuania..

• Oct 5: Journalist Ian Ross is claiming in The Guardian that a stunning new bid for Johnson's Everton shares is -– you guessed it – just two weeks away. This time, its Manchester University graduate, Iranian ex-footballer, and international diamond merchant, Hedy Shor... And while he is sidelined on a 3-match suspension, Francis Jeffers will have "minor" surgery to clear up a groin problem.

• Oct 4: Everton Reserves crashed 1-3 to Sunderland in a top of the table clash in the FA Reserve Premier League – Northern Section  last night.

• Oct 3: The silly Sunday story today centers around the rumoured interest of millionaire DJ Chris Evans and a £50M bid for Peter Johnson's shares. Terry Venables could also be part of any deal.

• Oct 2: Coventry City are the visitors to Goodison Park but an early goal from Jeffers seems to settle them too much. McAllister equalises and it finishes 1-1. The Under-19 derby with Liverpool kids was postponed.

• Oct 1:  Walter Smith has been deservedly named FA Carling Manager of the Month for September after transforming Everton's league performances, with 5 wins out of the last 6.