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[Season Diary]

June 2004

If it happened and it was Everton-related, it's right here in the comprehensive Season Diary.
Items are in reverse chronological order (more recent first). 

Navigate to previous months and seasons using the links directly below:



 June 2004


News Headlines & Features


Stop the Madness
30 Jun - There's only so much of the ridiculous media frenzy surrounding Wayne Rooney you can take, only so many unwanted comments from ego maniacal football pundits urging him to leave that you can hear before you just want to scream enough is enough. Rooney has what it takes to become the greatest player Everton has ever seen. He could eclipse William Dean and become a Goodison legend but why do you get the feeling that none of that matters because, in the end, the malignant forces of money and media that now rule the game will win out? Lyndon Lloyd takes time to vent and indulge in some wishful thinking.

Unsworth left in the lurch
29 Jun - David Unsworth's next club was supposed to be Bolton but the Trotters have put a hold on all incoming deals, leaving the Everton stalwart pondering his next move. He was offered a one-year deal by Everton, later increased to two years, but has turned those down... are they still on the table? (The Daily Post says they are ...) He may be needing something just now!

My Advice: Stick with Everton
28 Jun - It seems that Brian Viner, the Evertonian journalist writing in The Independent,  has been sitting on his hands these last two weeks while many of his colleagues have been writing nonsense.  This excellent piece captures the feelings Wayne gave us on the way to the Euro 2004 Quarterfinals, and the dread we feel at the prospect of Paul Stretford persuading him to leave the club he loves.

Paul Stretford — "Pro" Active
27 Jun - For his 100th Corner piece on ToffeeWeb, Colm Kavanagh has put together a detailed picture of the the dubious world of football agents and the kinds of tricks they get up to. The story about how Wayne Rooney's original agent, Peter McIntosh, lost out to a smash and grab by ProActive's Paul Stretford is indeed disturbing; he is now the man who will most likely decide when and for where Wayne Rooney leaves Everton.

Rooney out until September
26 Jun - David Moyes must plan to start the 2004/05 season without his best player after the club announced that Wayne Rooney will be out of action for up to eight weeks — the new campaign kicks off in seven. The 18 year-old, who cracked a bone in his foot as England were dumped out of Euro 2004 on penalties at the hands of Portugal, has been advised not to start his rehabilitation for at least a month.

26 mins and the game just deflated
24 Jun - The Boy looked good in the Quarter Final against Portugal, and had a few nice touches after Michael Owen scored a clever goal inside 3 mins. But, contesting for the ball, Rooney cross-stepped and appeared to sprain his ankle after just 26 mins. He was soon withdrawn and later declared to have broken a metatarsal bone in his right foot. England played poorly without Our Kid, and went on to lose on penalties after both sides scored in extra-time. If that doesn't put an end to all the hype and all the transfer nonsense (not to mention the ridiculous headlines with plays on the syllable "Roo"), nothing will.

Rooney's value to Everton: £70M
23 Jun - The media are drooling over the prospect of Everton selling Wayne Rooney, but what is the potential value to Everton FC of keeping Wayne Rooney for the next five years? Christiano Multesanti shows that figure is conservatively at least £70M.

Everton capture Bent
23 Jun - David Moyes has made his first signing of the summer with the acquisition of striker Marcus Bent from Ipswich Town for £450,000. The 26 year-old chose Everton over fellow Premiership club Portsmouth after Joe Royle and Ipswich accepted bids of the same amount from both clubs. Bent spent last season on loan with Leicester City and scored 10 goals, including a heart-breaking injury-time equaliser against the Blues at the Walkers Stadium.

Wayne can't stop scoring
21 Jun - Wayne Rooney's star keeps rising — and Evertonians keep bracing themselves against the media frenzy! The 18 year-old scored his third and fourth goals of Euro 2004 — making him the tournament's top scorer so far — before being wisely withdrawn to protect against a suspension-inducing second yellow card. Sven Goran Eriksson's team will face the hosts, Portugal, on Thursday after France topped Group B with a 3-1 win over the Swiss. Unfortunately, Johan Vonlanthen's goal for Switzerland has already taken Wayne's record of youngest ever scorer in the Finals, but he probably won't mind if he wins the Golden Boot!

Back him or Sack him?
20 Jun - There has certainly been a lot of crap flying around over the last week... but one of the most worrying pieces of information (or gossip?) was the statement in The Independent (and written incidentally by Evertonian Glenn Moore) that the relationship between Wayne Rooney and manager David Moyes has broken down. Doubts are beginning to surface over Moyes's skills in the difficult but essential area of man-management... Could the Moyesiah's continued presence actually be detrimental to Everton?  Not according to the number of disapproving responses received, including this from Gareth Prytherch that says we all must back David Moyes to the hilt.

Media hype on over-drive
19 Jun - With this latest article in The Independent, the national British media continue with the escalating speculation surrounding Wayne Rooney. Two star turns for England in Portugal have sent the hacks scurrying to fill column inches with reports trying to suggest that the Evertonian prodigy is wasted at Goodison, has fallen out with Moyes, wants £80,000 a week and will sign for FC Moneybags for £50m as soon as Euro 2004 is over. Has anyone thought, as they slaver over the endless rumours, that the boy might just want to play football for his beloved Blues for a few more years?

Rooney fires England to first Euro 2004 win
17 Jun - Everton's teenage superstar Wayne Rooney scored twice for England as they notched their first points of Euro 2004 with a comprehensive win over 10-man Switzerland. The No. 9 became the youngest player to score in the European Championship Finals when he fired England ahead after 23 minutes and doubled their advantage with a second with 15 minutes to go. Steven Gerrard, one of the villains of the France defeat, scored the third in the 82nd minute. Fantastic news for Wayne but mixed feelings for Blues fans who'll be wondering how on earth we're going to be able to hang onto England's best player.

Vaya con Dios
16 Jun - Alex Nyarko's attempts at rehabilitating himself at Everton have met an abrupt end with the news that he has failed to secure an extension to his work permit to cover the final year of his five-year contract. The Ghanaian spent a period wandering Europe looking for a permanent move after he quit Goodison in the wake of an on-pitch confrontation with an Everton supporter at Highbury three years ago. The God-fearing midfielder faces a similar search this summer now that his career with the Blues is officially over, although we will presumably be footing the bill for another 12 months.

Peter Clarke also declines
15 Jun - Peter Clarke made it clear he doesn't want to play for David Moyes, as he also rejects the deal Everton have placed on the table.  Despite less-than-convincing displays for the Blues, Clarke had been offered a one-year extension.  But this short-term approach is meeting fierce resistance from the Everton players, making Clarke the fourth to rebel with Radzinski, Unsworth, and Simonsen.

Radzinski's transfer request rejected
14 Jun - Tomasz Radzinski has handed Everton a written transfer request saying that the contract offer on the table represents only a one-year extension to his current deal. Predicting he will be in the same situation next summer as he is now, the Canadian international — who scored for his country this weekend in their 4-0 win over Belize — says that if he is not offered the three-year contract he desires he will have no choice but to leave. Everton have rejected the request, however, setting up an impasse that could run the length of the close season.

England expects, Rooney delivers, but France triumph
13 Jun - The unbelievable pre-tournament media hype has run its course but Blues fans must brace themselves for a fresh wave of Roo-mania following the 18-year-old's performance in England's Euro 2004 opener. Everton's starlet was a constant threat against France and while he didn't score, he set up the penalty that should have sealed the game with a scintillating run into the area; David Beckham missed the resulting spot kick and Liverpool's Stephen Gerrard was the second villain of the day with a horrific back-pass that allowed Zinedine Zidane to score his second late goal and hand the French an injury-time winner.

Newspapers just can't wait
11 Jun - Apropos of nothing, other than England's impending Euro 2004 campaign and the thought that Everton are planning a new and lucrative five-year deal for Wayne Rooney, the newspaper speculation and rumour-mongering has swung into overdrive yet again, the The Sun leading the way and The Guardian not far behind...  Despite the best efforts of Birch and Kenwright to convince us that everything is just fine, it is clearly going to be a very trying summer for Evertonians...

Watto's Euro Diary
10 Jun - In this new feature, Paul Watson will capture the mood and spirit of Euro 2004 from a distinctly Evertonian perspective in daily dispatches from places like... Scotland. Seems like he won't actually be in Portugal until the middle of next week — isn't there some important game going down before then?

Radzinski on the mark for Canada
10 Jun - To get you in the mood for Everton's trip to Texas next month, David Haimes reports from the Canadian national team's aborted friendly against MLS club side the San Jose Earthquakes. The match took place last Saturday in San Jose, California, complete with annoying mascots, "jump-the-gun" pyrotechnics, corporate-sponsored corner kicks, and a power failure that ultimately ended the game early. It'll surely have you rethinking that holiday in Houston this summer, ya hear, although watching "soccer" in the USA is not all bad.

First meeting poorly attended
9 Jun - There was a relatively poor turnout of only 50 or so on a very warm summer evening for the first meeting of Evertonians for Change last night, which called for the creation of an "inclusive" Everton Supporters Group that can reflect the concerns and views of all Evertonians. The minutes of the meeting convey the sense of continued venting by fans frustrated with the Club's decline, with a focus to put pressure on those in charge of the Club — in effect saying “there are 38,000 of us here to maintain a watch over your custodianship of our Club”. Consider also the recent maneouvering by True Blue Holdings to effect changes.

Just edged out by Chelsea!
8 Jun - Well our desire to represent EFC in the best way possible has been recognised in the inaugural Football Website Awards, run by 4football.net in association with SoccerAM. The site that was voted best Independent Football Website in 2003-04 was the Chelsea site, cfc-net; ToffeeWeb was the runner-up.  But we did win a signed print of Wayne Rooney that we will auction off with proceeds going to the Everton Former Players Association.

Moyes puts Sivebaek in his place
7 Jun - David Moyes has reacted angrily to the statements that John Sivebaek made over the weekend about Thomas Gravesen's impending availability. "Thomas has shook hands with me on an agreement, which we’ve reached in private," said Moyes, adding that “If players don’t want to play for Everton, then they won’t play for Everton, it’s as simple as that. That suits me and if Thomas Gravesen tells me that himself, I will accept it — but I won’t accept that from someone I don’t know.”

Blues Thai one on
6 Jun - Everton are expected to name Thailand-based Chang Beers as their new sponsors after Paul Gregg reportedly flew to Bangkok to conclude negotiations on the biggest deal in the club's history. The agreement, initially for 12 months and worth £1.5m a season, represents further attempts by the club to tap into the growing Far East market. Chang, which means "elephant" in Thai, are owned by businessman Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi and the deal was part-brokered by the country's national team coach, Thawatchai Satchakul — both had apparently signalled their intention to strike a deal with Liverpool because of Chang's association with Carlsberg.

The Golden Vision
5 Jun - It was a momentous occasion for Evertonians in the 1960s: a Play of the Week special centered around the matchday ritual of Everton fans and their Goodison idol, Alex Young — The Golden Vision. That was the title fo the 90-minute play that was broadcast on BBCtv and then disappeared... save for a few bootlegged copies. But mark your calendars now: The Golden Vision is to be re-broacast on BBC 4 at 10:10 pm on Sunday 27 June 2004. Set those DVRs/PVRs/VCRs now!

Putting the record straight
4 Jun - After reading Michael Durkin's jaundiced analysis of the Shareholders' Association AGM, Colm Kavanagh, who is one of the Executive Committee members personally slated by Mr Durkin, provides a response to the continuing stream of jibes and sniping directed at Steve Allinson, the Executive Committee and the Association as Durkin continues to reject the democratic decisions of the majority.

The Dean Index
3 Jun - Many fans have often wondered how Dixie Dean's amazing 60-goal haul in 1927-28 would stack up against the top scorers of today, and indeed all the sharp shooters throughout the history of the league. After reading John Keith's book on Dixie Dean, Everton fan Trevor Powell worked out a means for making that comparison, taking into account other factors that affect the overall number of goals scored each season. His research illustrates just how exceptional Dean's achievement really was.

Everton Heroes of the 1980s
2 Jun - A major photographic retrospective has opened at the Conservation Centre in Liverpool city centre covering Everton's 1980s heyday. The exhibition includes a range of evocative photos from the archives of the Liverpool Echo & Daily Post. It runs from 28 May to 19 September 2004 and features 60 images of the stars of the era and fans savouring the team’s successes when manager Howard Kendall was in charge. Open Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday 12 noon-5pm; entrance is free.

Kenwright is new Chairman
1 Jun - Everton FC Co Ltd have finally announced that Sir Philip Carter has stepped down as Chairman of the Board of Directors, with Bill Kenwright assuming that role. Carter will now carry the pompous sobriquet of 'Life President.' Keith Tamlin, a director since 1974, is also stepping down as the Everton Board continues to shrink in size, with Gregg, Abercromby and Woods the only other members.

Everton head to the States
1 Jun - Everton have announced they will be playing against two Mexican teams in the Copa del Tejas tournament to be held on 29 July and 1 August 2004. The games will be played at the new 69,500-seat Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas — the world's first retractable-roof throwball and rodeo stadium. A list of the pre-season fixtures set up so far is provided here.

 

Snippets & Rumours


Sponsors announced 'next week'
30 Jun - Speaking via the ToffeeTalk Q&A session on the Official Site, CEO Trevor Birch said that the new shirt sponsors will be announced next week and that the delay in finalizing that deal is what pushed back the launch of the new kit. He also reiterated that Rooney isn't for sale and that a shared stadium with the dark side is the likely solution to the stadium issue.

Gerrard waiting by the phone
30 Jun - Paul Gerrard, released by Everton this month as his contract expired, is hoping that Nottingham Forest will be calling him back after his successful loan spell at the end of last season.

Jim Emery, N Ireland scout
29 Jun - Jim Emery is the N Ireland scout for Everton, and he has a little more to say about Wayne Rooney than the glowing plaudits about his prowess and maturity as a footballer: Wayne is a poet, and we didn't know it.

Lineker left Everton too soon
29 Jun - Nice to see Gary Lineker, who had his most successful season at Everton, encourage Wayne to stay at Goodison — although he does hedge his bets rather with the old "gut feeling"...

Need any info on Houston?
29 Jun - Anyone who is planning on coming over to Houston, TX, for the Copa de Tejas tournament is encouraged to contact Robbie Watson who will be very happy to supply any local information to help out. Robbie is a life long Blue, originally from Liverpool, who now lives in Houston.

Real Sociedad game ON
28 Jun - Everton's pre-season friendly against Real Sociedad scheduled for Saturday, 7 August 2004 will go ahead as planned. The club received written, faxed confirmation today from the Spanish club.

Radz may miss opener
28 Jun - Tomasz Radzinski could miss Everton's opening game of the season because Canada are due to play in the CONCACAF Group B semi-final World Cup qualifying game at home to Guatemala on August 18.

Watto's EuroDiary: Day 19
28 Jun - Some observations about the Danes and the Czechs, who actually managed to produce a result without going to extra time and penalties.

Reminder: The Golden Vision
27 Jun - Sunday on BBC4 at 10:15 pm: The Golden Vision. Ken Loach directs this Wednesday Play from 1968, which intercuts documentary footage of Everton's Alex Young with a story about the life of devoted Evertonians in the Sixties. Black & White.

Moyes restates his case
27 Jun - David Moyes reiterates his position regarding Wayne Rooney in the Sunday Herald,  saying he is not selling the lad who is a key part of Everton plans for the new season, but an 'incredible' bid (surely unlikely now?) would have to be looked at.

Watto's EuroDiary: Day 18
27 Jun - Paul Watson describes Tobias Linderoth as Sweden's fifth defender and suggests that, while he plays like that for Everton, it really doesn't work for the rest of the team. Strange, is it not, that Everton have two of the best midfielders in Euro2004, yet our midfield is crap?

Sweden out
26 Jun - Linderoth was pretty effective as defensive midfielder for Sweden but they finally lost to Holland on penalties after extra time (0-0) in the third Euro 2004 Quarter-Final.

Watto's EuroDiary: Days 14 thru 17
26 Jun - Another four installments from Portugal. On Day 14, it's all about Wayne; on Day 15 contemplates the ticket situation for England v Portugal. Paul leaves on Day 16 just as England crash out: good timing!. And on Day 17, it's back home as the dust settles; look for a job.

Linderoth wanted out in January
26 Jun - Tobias Linderoth has revealed that he wanted to move back to Stabaek, the club from which he signed for Everton, during the January transfer window because he feared he would miss out on Euro 2004 if he didn't play enough matches. David Moyes was reluctant to allow the midfielder to go out on loan so the move never transpired and he ended up becoming a first-team regular until the end of the season.

Prelude to the Media Madness
25 Jun - A very worrying development that presages the dreaded 'brand marketing' of Wayne Rooney to the most prurient sectors of the media is his impending appointment of Ian Monk as PR advisor...

Real friendly still on
25 Jun - Although Real Sociedad have apparently called off their pre-season friendly with Birmingham City, they have assured Everton that the match at Goodison scheduled for 7 August will still go ahead as planned.

Ignore the 'fucking hype'
25 Jun - So says Paul Gascoigne who, as a victim of his own success and the national media, urges Wayne Rooney not to be in any rush to leave his roots on Merseyside.

Media hypocrisy exposed
24 Jun - In The Mirror, journalist Briane Reade (who went to the same school as Wayne Rooney) provides some pertinent comments to counterbalance the torrent of hype and duplicitous nonsense written about the lad in much of the media over the past couple of weeks.

Opener against Arsenal
24 Jun - The new fixture list (copyright protected) has been announced and Everton will open the Premiership campaign with a home game against unbeaten Champions Arsenal on Saturday 14 August 2004.  After travelling to Crystal Palace on the 21st, Everton's third game, at Man Utd, has already been postponed since it clashes with a Champions League qualifier.  You'd think they could at least feed that into the computer before they pressed "Play"...

Tommy was the best
23 Jun - Thomas Gravesen was, once again, one of Denmark's most impressive players in the draw with Sweden - if not the best player on the field.  So says Karsten Krogh at football365.com.

Yeah, we're still not interested
23 Jun - In the face of ludicrous media hype, David Moyes once again insists that he will not listen to offers for Wayne Rooney.

Watto's EuroDiary: Days 10 thru 13
23 Jun - A quadruple-header from Portugal. On Day 10, Paul Watson goes walkabout, On Day 11 tries to get from A to B and back. On Day 12 he finally gets to watch a game. And on Day 13, he's there for Wayne's' big game against Croatia.

Everton have Bent offer accepted
23 Jun - David Moyes could land his first close season signing this week if Ipswich's Marcus Bent agrees terms and chooses Goodison over Fratton Park. Ipswich have accepted £450,000 offers from both clubs leaving the choice up to the striker.

Nyarko payout in dispute
22 Jun - Everton are refusing to pay Alex Nyarko around £1M representing the balance of his contract because he has no work permit and therefore cannot fulfill the basic requirement of the contract: playing football for Everton. This one promises to be a very interesting test of player power...

Scandinavian duo advance
22 Jun - Thomas Gravesen and Tobias Linderoth will join Wayne Rooney in the Euro 2004 Quarter Finals after Denmark and Sweden shared the honours in a 2-2 draw that sent both countries through and eliminated Italy, former-Blue Marco Materazzi and all.

Coached by the White Pele
22 Jun - Colin Harvey is pretty humble about taking too much of the credit for coaching Wayne Rooney in this interview from BBC Radio Five Live.

Rooney does play for Everton!
22 Jun - Good to see Phil McNulty turning it on in the national media to remind everyone from whence young Rooney came...

Online Petition
22 Jun - Sign on here if you want to support Mujahid Rasul's online petition to the Everton Board of Directors that we should not sell Wayne Rooney even if we are offered a 'kings ransom'.

Watto's EuroDiary: Day 9
22 Jun - After a brief intermission, the story briefly resumes. Internet cafés are clearly few and far between in Portugal.  We should have given him a satellite phone...

Moral Dilemmas
22 Jun - This very long article by Rob Fox considers the immense challenges facing Everton Football Club, and looks especially at ways in which keeping Wayne Rooney would be worth far, far more to the Club than accepting 50 million pieces of silver from the highest bidder.

Well, we knew he was good...
21 Jun - Rooneymania goes into hyperdrive as his England team-mates shower more praise and adulation on the 18-year-old starlet, who lost his record as the youngest ever scorer in the European Championships when Switzerland's Johann Vonlathen (4 months younger than Wayne) scored an equalizer against France.

Sven out of line
21 Jun - Statements by Sven Goran Eriksson over the weekend regarding "phoning Rooney's agent" have been commented on by David Moyes, who is not impressed that the England manager was thus condoning an illegal approach for a player under contract. Well said, David.

Paradise Lost
21 Jun - From Rooney-mania back to all the worthless aging players in the current Everton squad, it's all the fault of Bill Kenwright and True Blue Holdings.  So says Bill Kenwright's biggest critic, Paul Holmes.

Linderoth misses Denmark clash
21 Jun - Tobias Linderoth will be missing for Sweden as they take on Scandinavian neighbours Denmark in their final group-stage match in Portugal. The midfielder is suspended after picking up two yellow cards.

Graham Allen moves on
20 Jun - Graham Allen, once an Everton youngster famously traded to Tranmere Rovers in exchange for the Most Expensive Goalkeeper in Britain (yeah, right), has moved on to Rushden & Diamonds since his Prenton Park contract expired.

No Sale! — even at £50M
20 Jun - David Moyes and Bill Kenwright have vowed that they would not sell Wayne Rooney, even if their £50M price-tag was met.  "I would turn down any bid for him and say: 'Thank you very much.  What else do you want to talk about?'" — so says Chairman Bill Kenwright...

Bulykin Bullet
20 Jun - Everton target Dmitry Bulykin scored Russia's winner over Greece at Euro 2004 with a nice bullet-header after 17 mins but Greece go through to a quarter-final game — possibly against England?

Moyes delighted for Wayne
20 Jun - In the Sunday Herald, David Moyes offers up strangely muted praise for Wayne Rooney, perhaps in an attempt to scale down some of the hype?

Idiots, Morons and Cretins
19 Jun - The utter nonsense being written in the media about Wayne Rooney at the moment must be driving most Evertonians crazy. This one seen in Manchester papers today takes the biscuit.  Nick Armitage's response is to hit back hard and put our old friends the ignorant journos back in their proper place.

Szetela unlikely to sign
19 Jun - According to Top Draw Soccer (don't ask!), young US starlet Danny Szetela is unlikely to sign for a Premiership Club for another couple of years...

Rooney goal stands
18 Jun - Uefa have confirmed that England's second goal against the Swiss has been accredited to Wayne Rooney. There was some doubt as the shot hit the post and rebounded into the net off the goalkeeper but officials have confirmed that the original shot was on target so the goal is Wayne's.

Jevons moves on to Yeovil
18 Jun - A one-time hope from the youth ranks at Goodison Park, striker Phil Jevons has joined Third Division Yeovil Town after being relegated from the Second Division with Grimsby Town.

The Plan from Uncle
18 Jun - Wayne Rooney's uncle, John Morrey, the rumoured source of stories linking the 18 year-old with a big-money part-exchange move to Manchester United, says Wayne may be "wasting his time" at Everton.  Erm, the lad is 18 — most players his age are still kicking around the stiffs, uncle!

Introducing Everton
18 Jun - The NFL's Houston Texans, hosts for the Copa de Tejas tournament, offer an error-strewn introduction of the Blues to the US audience, comparing us favourably with teams like the Green Bay Packers and baseball franchise, the St Louis Cardinals in terms of history and achievement.

Former Blue suffers heart-attack
18 Jun - Former Everton and Liverpool forward, David Johnson, has suffered a heart-attack in Singapore. The 52 year-old was coaching at the time.

Something to think about
18 Jun - Richard Williams in The Guardian makes some intelligent and appreciative comments on our kid Wayne, a thankful respite from the other nonsense filling the tabloids...

Radzinski on target again
18 Jun - Tomasz Radzinski, scored again yesterday as Canada beat Belize 4-0 in the second leg of a CONCACAF zone play-off. The 30 year old was later withdrawn with a knee injury.

Watto's EuroDiary: Day 8
17 Jun - Is he finally flying to Portugal today? Will he actually get to see a match live and in person? Will England win? These questions and many more might be answered in today's EuroDiary...

Wayne Rooney Interview
16 Jun - This link takes you to an audio interview at BBC Five Live in which Mike Ingham talks with Wayne Rooney after the game against France (you will need Real Player).

Watto's EuroDiary: Day 7
16 Jun - All the teams at Euro 2004 have now played one game; Paul Watson casts his eye over the group standings and makes some more questionable predictions...

Rooney having a blast
16 Jun - England may be still writhing in pain over the Liverpool-inspired injury-time collapse against France, but Wayne Rooney is having a great time, and says he's better than his back-pass mate Stevie Gerrard "at most things".

Euro2004 Dreaming, Part I
16 Jun - Ever wonder what David Moyes's Everton would be like with Andrei Kanchelskis on the wing? Well how about Denmark's Dennis Rommedahl who's an admirer of the Premiership?

Moyes confirms Matteo interest
15 Jun - David Moyes has publicly confirmed rumours we posted recently concerning his interest in former Liverpool defender, Dominic Matteo, currently with relegated Leeds.

Final step for Pettinger
15 Jun - Andrew Pettinger, once highly vaunted as the next great Everton goalkeeper, will have trouble getting anywhere in the game after he was released by Grimsby.

Watto's EuroDiary: Day 6
15 Jun - It looks like Paul Watson is edging closer to Portugal as he gets his act in gear for a little family holiday in the Algarve...

Swedes bang in five
14 Jun - Sweden put five past Bulgaria in their Group C game at Euro 2004, Henrik Larsson scoring two excellent goals; Linderoth was solid in midfield.

No more room at Goodison
14 Jun - The club have had to regretfully announce that fans will no longer be able to bury the ashes of loved ones around the pitch's perimeter because there is simply no more room.

Watto's EuroDiary, Day 5
14 Jun - Paul Watson laments England's reverse against the French and looks ahead to finally flying out to Portugal to watch Wayne and the boys in the flesh. Link fixed

Clarke wants out
14 Jun - Defender Peter Clarke has become the second player to signal his desire to leave Goodison by submitting a transfer request this week. He has turned down a one-year extension to his current contract.

Watto's EuroDiary: Day 4
13 Jun - Paul Watson watched the opening games — from the depths of Asda — and readies himself for tonight's big game, while continuing to recount his personal story of life as a fan.

Bulykin starved
12 Jun - Many Everton fans got their first glimpse of Everton target Dmitry Bulykin, who was forced to plough a lone furrow up front for Russia with little meaningful support as they went down 1-0 to Spain in the second Group A match of Euro 2004 on Saturday.

Watto's EuroDiary: Day 3
12 Jun - As Euro 2004 kicks off in the Portuguese sunshine, Paul Watson is still in Scotland, and ponders the plight of Wales, whom many think should have been playing tonight instead of Russia...

Doherty still a promising talent
12 Jun - Rumours suggesting that Sean Doherty, the young Evertonian who was stolen away by Fulham's Youth Academy two years ago, had been released by The Cottagers appear to have been greatly exaggerated...

Nice welcome for Benitez
11 Jun - The Ruleteros Society are giving new Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez a copy of their book, Cien Años de Calidad, the history of Everton Football Club — in Spanish.  Nice one, lads!

Watto's EuroDiary: Day 2
11 Jun - Paul Watson's second day of his Euro 2004 diary continues to set the scene, with some of the history underlying his self-styled life as an itinerant footie fan.

Li Tie healing slowly
10 Jun - Li Tie has returned to Bellefield to continue his daily recovery regime under the watchful eye of Physio Mike Rathbone, who says that the healing process is slow, but he is hoping to have the midfielder ready for the new season.

Thierry likes way Rooney plays
10 Jun - In yet another article talking up Wayne Rooney, Thierry Henry says some nice things about the lad on the first page of this Daily Post story.

Season ticket warning
10 Jun - Everton Club Secretary David Harrison has issued a warning to season-ticket holders that they cannot hope to keep their current seats if they delay renewal until after the 19 June deadline.

Rooney's massive Nike deal
10 Jun - The Daily Express has been publicizing their understanding of a new sponsorship deal for Wayne Rooney, potentially worth £5M over 10 years, that will serve to raise the stakes ever higher as we enter Euro 2004...

Houston tickets on sale
9 Jun - Combination tickets for both Everton games in the Copa de Tejas go on sale today through Ticketmaster. Fans from Everton Supporters Club - North America are getting $40 seats ($80 packages) in Sections 104 and 105 of the Reliant Stadium in Houston, TX. Individual tickets go on sale 26 June.

Naysmith getting in shape
9 Jun - Gary Naysmith is recovering well from an ankle injury and the hernia surgery he completed at the end of last season, and is looking to build his fitness again after saying he was unfit for three months.

Pachuca & America
8 Jun - Everton's Mexican opponents in the Copa de Tejas will be Pachuca on 29 July and America on 1 August 2004. Pachuca, winner of the 2003 Mexican Championship, is Mexico’s oldest club and most successful team over the last five seasons. Pachuca also captured the 1999 and 2001 Mexican Championships.  Club America has been Mexico’s most successful club, winning a record 13 league titles and six cup titles.

Everton will play Burnley
8 Jun - Everton will play their second pre-season game in England at Turf Moor on Thursday 22 July 2004, prior to leaving for the Copa de Tejas in Houston, USA.

Evertonians for Change
8 Jun - A reminder that the first meeting of Evertonians for Change will take place tonight at 7:30pm at The Casa on Hope Street. All Evertonians are welcome.

Stephen Hughes released
7 Jun - Stephen Hughes, once of Everton FC, has been released by Charlton Athletic; another in a long line of those who will not be coming back to haunt us?

Repeat: "Rooney is not for Sale"
7 Jun - Confirming David Moyes's words as Wayne Rooney prepares to wear the England No 9 shirt in Euro 2004, Bill Kenwright makes another great soundbyte: "I cannot foresee Wayne Rooney being in anything other than an Everton shirt."

Wayne is not leaving Everton
6 Jun - While noting that Chelsea are likely to be the only club who could afford to buy Wayne Rooney, David Moyes reiterated that "He is an Everton player and will remain that way and we have no intention of selling him."

Gravesen's agent sows the seeds
6 Jun - Thomas Gravesen's agent John Sivebaek has been mouthing off again, laying the groundwork for him to turn down Everton overtures after Euro 2004, when he was expected to negotiate a new contract — either with or without squad improvements that Sivebaek now doubts...  Who says agents are not ruining the game?

Branch moves to Chester City
6 Jun - Michael Branch, once of Everton FC, has left Bradford City and joined newly promoted Chester City.

Ringing endorsement for Birch
6 Jun - With the biggest margin ever in one of our polls, 97% of ToffeeWeb readers said that the appointment of Trevor Birch as CEO is a good move.

Houston: we have vistors
5 Jun - Everton get a nice write-up in the Houston Chronicle ahead of Tuesday's official Copa de Tejas announcement that is expected to name the Mexican clubs Everton will play at the end of July.

Rooney hits two in England romp
5 Jun - Wayne Rooney has grabbed a brace as he and England finish their Euro 2004 preparations in style with a 6-1 demolition of Iceland at the City of Manchester Stadium. Rooney scored with a nice drive in from 8 yds, followed by a superb strike from 25 yards before coming off at half-time.

Rooney takes a forward step
5 Jun - After the raw audio of yesterday comes the considered journalism of Glenn Moore in today's Independent, who is impressed with Wayne Rooney's maturity, lack of bravado, down-to-earth sensibility — signs that perhaps his minders are doing a better job bringing the lad on than we may have suspected.

Rooney talks scouse
4 Jun - A link on the page above delivers the full audio stream of Wayne Rooney interviewed at the BBC, enunciating his developing opinions on things England, "n' tha" — in perfect scouse.

Kilbane has ankle op
4 Jun - Everton decided that Kevin Kilbane needed some surgery on his troublesome ankle to remove a piece of bone from the joint. The operation was completed on Thursday and "went well" according to later reports.  Hopefully he will recover in time for pre-season training.

Bill behind the lens
4 Jun - The fifth item of movie news at the above link has Bill Kenwright working on his first role as a film director, making Colette's Cheri, starring Jessica Lange, Judi Dench & Hayden Christensen.

Ground share a last resort
3 Jun - The national media has run away with the idea that Trevor Birch's comments regarding Everton's need for a new stadium are confirmation that he is in favour of ground sharing with Liverpool. In fact, the new CEO said that such a move would be a "last resort," but don't let that get in the way of a good story, eh.

McBride brace for USA
2 Jun - One-time Everton player Brian McBride scored two for the USA in a good 4-0 win over Honduras as the Americans dominated the match from start to finish on Wednesday. Makes you wonder why Everton couldn't have got him last season instead of Fulham...

Management duo in Italy
2 Jun - David Moyes and his assistant, Alan Irvine, flew out to Italy today at the invitation of Giovanni Trapattoni to spend a few days examining the Italian national side's training techniques as they prepare for Euro 2004 which kicks off in 10 days' time.

Economist says we should share
2 Jun - With new Everton CEO Trevor Birch making early noises about ground sharing, Liverpool University Economist Peter Stoney has prepared a report detailing the economic benefits of a central docklands stadium for Liverpool FC that would be an even better proposition (financially) if shared with Everton.

AGM re-elects Executive Committee
2 Jun - Despite a lot of procedural wrangling and some individual displeasure over the outcome, Steve Allinson and most of the current Executive Committee of the Everton Shareholders' Association were re-elected at last night's AGM. These personal observations are from Ted Neeson.

ESA calls for EFC EGM
2 Jun - At their Annual General Meeting in the Alex Young Suite last night, Everton Shareholders Association passed a motion calling upon the Board of Everton FC Co Ltd to hold an Extraordinary General Meeting of their shareholders to address a series of concerns regarding investment and the future direction of the Club.

Wayne Rooney for England
1 Jun - Wayne Rooney picked up his 12th England cap in a tight 1-1 draw with Japan. Rooney had little chance to pose a goalscoring threat but made some neat touches in build-up play and almost created a second goal for Michael Owen.

Radz in no rush
1 Jun - Tomasz Radzinski has told Everton that he is no rush to decide his future as he awaits further negotiations over the two-year contract extension he was recently offered.

Hands off McFadden
1 Jun - New chairman Bill Kenwright tells Rangers and Celtic that Everton aren't interested in selling Scottish striker James McFadden, whom David Moyes apparently sees as a "first team pick" for next season.

Cole keen to prove himself
1 Jun - David Moyes's hopes of bringing Joe Cole to Everton on a season's loan have been hit by the England midfielder's desire to stay at Chelsea and prove himself under the new manager.

Birch: Stadium vital for revenue
1 Jun - New CEO, Trevor Birch, believes that the key to Everton's financial future remains a state-of-the-art stadium — whether that's a purpose-built facility, a redeveloped Goodison or ground-sharing with the dark side — but he warns that nothing will happen overnight, particularly given the current climate of English football finance.

No quick fix
1 Jun - In a belatedly-published Fans Comment piece, Richard Parker offers another post-mortem on the season. He puts the blame on the players, believes that with the debt consolidation Everton are on the right financial track for the long-term, but warns that money must be made available this summer for transfers if we are to avoid the drop next season.

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The Unofficial Everton Timeline – 2014-2023 The Moshiri Years

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  Team Pld GD Pts
12 Brentford 17 0 23
13 Manchester United 17 -1 22
14 West Ham United 17 -8 20
15 Everton 16 -7 16
16 Crystal Palace 17 -8 16
17 Leicester City 17 -16 14
18 Wolves 17 -13 12

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