Fans Comment
Paul Coleman

An Open Letter to Wayne Rooney
28 August 2004

Wayne,

The fans turned on you on Saturday because they are deeply hurt by the fact that you are leaving the club. All we see is a boy that was nurtured by Everton Football club throughout his career, that is now leaving without having made any real contribution to the club. We se a boy that swore his alleigance to Everton with that memorable T-shirt.

I remember seeing that T-Shirt and taking great comfort from it when the club had sold Francis Jeffers. I had heard plenty about you through a guy that was good mates with Colin Harvey. This guy told me that you were going to be the next Beckham and that you didn't have 'the attitude' of Francis Jeffers I was so happy because I thought we had a star that would be loyal to Everton and be around for a long time.

It really does hurt me that now that dream is about to be gone.

I think of myself as being a massive Everton fan. I know if I had your ability that I would NEVER leave this club just to to get medals because the club and the fans mean so much more to me.

However I am employed by a large, organisation which likes its reputation intact. I know that my employers can cause all sorts of Havoc and want to brush it under the carpet so that no-one in the press hears about it.

The point I am getting to Wayne is that you are quoted as saying we don't know the truth. I get the impression from all of this that if the club was run better then you might not be leaving.

Don't give up the dream Wayne, just come out and tell the truth. Yes you might bring the club into disrepute, but as you saw on Saturday, we the fans can put a lot of pressure on people we no longer like.

If there is a different truth than you want to leave the club because your mind was warped by agents, money and brothels, then we need to know. It is then that we will get right behind you and save your career at Everton and probally save the club from more years of mismanagement.

I don't want to hear you slag the club off after you have made your move to Man U, so speak now or forever hold your peace.

Yours Faithfully,

Paul Coleman