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 5 July 2001

Alan Stubbs was officially unveiled today at Bellefield (I was there!).  He posed for almost 45 mins for photo's before taking a further hour for interviews.  Here are some extracts from different websites of what the Merseyside-born defender said. 

"When I found Everton wanted me, it was basically, 'When can I come?' "

Everton boss Smith said he was delighted with the way his initial meeting with Stubbs went.

"The thing that impressed me most was that he was very keen to come here," said Smith. "He didn't need much persuading.  "I've realised a dream.  When I went to Celtic, everything to do with the move was massive and the more I played for them the more I grew closer to the Club, but it is not the same as playing for your boyhood team.  It's going to be special when I do play.

Walter Smith added, "He has been playing in a back three so he has a bit of fitting in to do.  But he is of a good age and is experienced so that won't cause a problem."

Stubbs has battled back from testicular cancer � not once but twice � but passed his medical at Goodison Park without any problems.

Smith said: "He's in good health and he has been told there's very little likelihood of the cancer returning.''

Stubbs sported a shirt which read: 'Once an Evertonian, always an Evertonian'.

He said: "I am delighted to be here and hope I can bring my own attributes to a club I have supported all my life."
  

Some sources are reporting that Abel Xavier is off to Sunderland for �2.5M � this comes after reports that he was back off to Benfica for �1M � confusing?  The Sunderland chief admitted: "We've got targets out there that we're trying to tie up at the moment."
  

Everton may still be thwarted in their attempts to land striker Thomasz Radzinski, after he was offered a new contract by Anderlecht. 

The Belgian club's general manager had been given a 24-hour deadline to accept Everton's offer for the player, but Michael Verschueren responded by saying he has now offered Radzinski a new improved contract to stay at the club.  He is reported to have said: "I proposed an extension of his contract and explained to him that it was not in his interest to go to play for a team which aims merely at staying in the league."

The Anderlecht boss added: "Anderlecht intends to preserve his status and expects a fast and positive response from Radzinski."  There has been no official response from Everton as yet either to suggestions that Anderlecht were set to report Everton to FIFA for making an alleged illegal approach for the marksman the threat of FIFA involvement.
  

Alessandro Pistone, Duncan Ferguson and Alec Cleland have reported back for pre-season training early in a bid to improve their fitness.  The trio were back at Bellefield this week, several days in advance of the main squad who are set to check in again next Monday.

Pistone, Ferguson and Cleland were all troubled by injury problems last term and they hope that, by making an early start on their pre-season preparations, it will go some way towards avoiding a repeat of of that next season.  I also spotted Danny Cadamarteri and Steve Simonsen at Bellefield today.  Cadamarteri has shaved off his dreds again!!!
 

Meanwhile, Thomas Myhre has been linked with a move to Tranmere on loan until Christmas; Dave Watson is also keen on youngsters Phil Jevons and Peter Clarke.

Ian Mills

ToffeeWeb Columnist