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Ian Mills delivers a new
feature
for ToffeeWeb. |
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.
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." 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.
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. ToffeeWeb Columnist |
Did you read Yesterday's Column? |