As I sat in a cold sweat the other night contemplating the future without a new striker, I found myself reminiscing about all those 20-goal-a-season strikers we’ve had since Gary Lineker.  Seconds later, I found myself drifting into an unsettled sleep, worrying about how we can face the rest of the season without Keane, Nugent, or Gregor Raziak for that matter, all thanks to Dithering Dave.  As I slept, I dreamt of what the future might hold if we didn’t get rid of Moyes and Kenwright pronto.  It all seemed frighteningly real…

News round up: September 2005

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce revealed details of the club’s attempts to sign four players on Deadline Day.  “We tried and were so close, Michael Ball was 20 minutes away from signing when the call from PSV came, and it’s hard to compete with a team 4th.  in the Dutch league.  At the end of the day there’s nothing more we could have done, but this transfer window nonsense affects everybody.”

Tottenham manager Martin Jol revealed he was “unconcerned” at signing Gregor Raziak without a medical.  “He’s a fit lad, anybody can see that, and Tom Huddlestone told me when he introduced us the day after that he rarely missed a game through injury.  There was only 30 minutes to go to the deadline when we found out Lucarelli wasn’t coming, so we had to act fast to bring in a replacement, but we’ll get round to a medical eventually.”

Michael Owen registered his first goals for his new club, Newcastle United, with a brace in a 3-3 draw against Manchester City.   “The referee has cost us again,” complained manager Graeme Souness.  “Michael has scored 2 great goals and it all counts for nothing because of the referee.”

Souness denied being under pressure after Freddy Shepherd’s assertion that the board had done all they could to support the manager and it was now up to him.  “I don’t get out on the pitch and play, the players do that and it is their job to perform, my job is just to buy them.  If they’re sloppy and disorganised that’s not my fault, it’s not like I can get out there and show them how it’s done.”

Rafael Benitez again denied claims that he had bungled in not re-signing Michael Owen from real Madrid and failing in a late bid to sign Simao from Benfica.  “Our priority is a centre-back and a right-midfielder, so we are disappointed at not getting Simao, but it was out of our hands” he said.

Liverpool supporter Albert Bunce, of Plymouth, said “It’s a disgrace, Owen is one of us, red through and through, and Bungling Benitez has cost us dear.  If he’d taken him to Speke Hall things would have been different.  Now we’ve got hardly any good strikers, Shanks would never had let that happen.”

Everton manager David Moyes refused to comment on reports that Robbie Keane was all set to sign for Everton only for Tottenham to pull the plug at the last second.  “I am happy with the players we have brought in and feel we are building a good squad here.  I see no sense in speculating on what might have been and prefer to simply focus on the job in hand and look to the future”

Chelsea are top of the Premiership.  Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson claimed that Chelsea are due for a blip.  “They have never had to defend the title before, and will soon find out just how tough it is when every team is determined to stop them”          

News round up: October 2005

Michael Owen continued his scoring form in a 1-1 draw for Newcastle against Sunderland.  Manager Graeme Souness was furious at the referee’s performance as Stead scored a late equaliser but said he felt under no pressure.  “I can’t go out there and do the referee’s job can I?  I can only do my job which is to pick the team, some of whom I haven’t even bought, so I can hardly be blamed if they don’t perform can I?”

Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren was in better spirits than his North East counterpart after his side beat Portsmouth 3-2.  “My, sorry, our tactics were spot on today, the players did exactly what I told them to and it paid off.  But you can’t legislate for individual errors costing goals, which is why I made sure I, sorry we, put out a team able to score 3 goals, and my forethought paid off handsomely.”

Aston Villa manager David O’Leary claimed to be “very satisfied” with Villa’s start to the season, which sees them lying in 10^th place.  “Under the circumstances, when you look at how much other managers have spent, we are holding our own — which is all anyone can reasonably expect without major investment.”

Wayne Rooney scored a wonder goal for Manchester United.  Meanwhile, Alex Ferguson issued a title warning to leaders Chelsea: “They are in new territory now, 2 months into defending their title.  We know how hard it is, and Chelsea will soon find out what it’s like to be under all the pressure.”

The rift between Djibril Cisse and Rafael Benitez widened as a result of the manager’s comments after the Liverpool substitute’s late brace earned 3 points at Fulham.  When a reporter said “I suppose those type of goals are the reason you signed him,” Benitez responded, “No, I signed him because the previous manager wanted him, all the paperwork had been done, so I didn’t really think I should say ‘no’ after everyone had gone to so much trouble, besides Stevie said he would be a good partner for Michael.”

Round up: November 2005

Speculation was rife about an imminent takeover at EPL club, Everton, with director Paul Gregg allegedly having found a consortium to buy Chairman Bill Kenwright’s shares.  Both Kenwright and Gregg were unavailable for comment.  The club today released a statement through club spokesman Ian Ross: “There is always speculation about potential investors at a big club such as this but I can categorically state that Bill Kenwright has no intention of selling his shareholding and is as committed as ever to bringing success to this club.”

Michael Owen took his tally for the season in all competitions to 12 with a brace for Newcastle in today’s fixture at St James Park, which Newcastle drew 2-2 with Birmingham despite leading twice.  He is the club’s leading scorer, 10 clear of his nearest rival Shola Amoebi.  Graeme Souness pleaded for patience from disgruntled supporters who have been unable to attend a news conference to announce a new signing for over 2 months.  ‘Supporters have to understand it is not possible to make big signings every day, sometimes you have to just put up, I mean work, with the ones you’ve got.  Personally I think it’s a farce that you can’t just go and spend £10 or £15 million whenever you lose a game, but I don’t make the rules.’

With 2 from Mikael Forsell, Birmingham drew with Sunderland.  Manager Steve Bruce was delighted with his star striker’s contribution: “I think Mikael has proved a few of his doubters wrong tonight.  His knee is as strong as ever.  We are delighted he managed 2 and we are hoping to get 5 minutes out of him next time, and I am confident he will get to actually touch the ball in his next appearance” insisted the manager after the goalless draw.

David O’Leary pronounced his frustration as his side were held to another draw, this time 1-1 against Liverpool.  “We need a 20-goal-a-season striker if we are to compete with the top sides, but they cost a lot of money.”  When a bemused reporter pointed out that he was under the impression Milan Baros had been purchased to do this job, O’Leary retorted: “No, Milan is a 12-goal-a-season striker; 20-goal-a-season strikers cost a lot more than Milan did.  How I am expected to break into the top 10 without one is beyond me.”

Chelsea won again.  Wayne Rooney scored another wonder goal, and was booked. 

December 2005

Evertonians welcomed the takeover of their club, currently sitting at 9^th in the Premier League, by the Foundation Investment Group.  Outgoing chairman Bill Kenwright was emotional on his departure.  At a news conference he reminisced: “All good things must come to an end, remember even the great William Ralph Dean eventually left the club.  But I will always be an Evertonian and I am sure I will be a more frequent visitor to Goodison in the future than most of the new Board, supporting a club which is in far better shape now than when I took over.”

Supporter Joe Bloggs, from Huyton, had this to say: “It was time for Kenwright to go, he sold all our best players, and he never got a striker in, you know.”

Spokesperson Ian Ross said: “I can categorically state that Bill Kenwright is, and always will be, Chairman of this club, he is the greatest Evertonian that ever lived and he has even re-mortgaged his home for this club, you know.  I have never heard of the Foundation Investment Group.”

Michael Owen has denied rumours of a rift with manager Graeme Souness after a 4-3 defeat at Tottenham.  “Obviously, we are all disappointed not to be getting the results we deserve and we are all frustrated, and that includes the manager.  But I am still delighted to be at such a massive club, and Sven likes the director’s box here.  I’ve scored 15 goals now, which is all that really matters, and I’m easily winning my little bet with Alan who only has 3 goals.  We obviously need some new players, but the transfer window opens soon and then we will start to climb the table.”

Steve McClaren once again smiled smugly after Middlesbrough won a game.  Chelsea also won again.  Wayne Rooney scored a wonder goal, and was booked, then sent off.  Steve Bruce denied rumours once again linking him with the Newcastle job.  “If I leave here it will be to work with Jeff Stelling, not Freddy Shepherd,” he claimed.  Tottenham announced that they would soon have the results of Gregor Raziak’s medical.

January 2006

Newcastle manager Graeme Souness proclaimed his delight at making 7 new signings, at a total cost of £65M during the transfer window, and took a side-swipe at departing stars Jean Alain Boumsong, Albert Luque and Titus Bramble:  “We had to get rid of the dead wood and bring in more quality, but of course that costs money which I am happy to spend.  We nearly have a big enough squad to compete now, but this transfer window rule is stupid, it doesn’t leave enough time to spend all the money available.” 

Newcastle supporters, some of whom had to book a fortnight off work to attend all the various press conferences, were still united behind the manager, despite disappointing results leaving the club languishing in 10^th place in the table.  Michael Owen expressed his delight on scoring his 20^th goal of the season for the club.  “I’m great, and I’m going to the World Cup.  Yes, results could be better but I’m scoring for fun, which is the main thing, and Sven loves coming here.”

Everton spokesperson Ian Ross denied rumours of a rift between manager David Moyes and new Chairperson Anita Gregg.  Moyes spent only £5M on Robbie Keane and £2M on David Nugent in the transfer window despite having a reported £30M available.  “David Moyes will be manager of this club for many years to come,” Ross announced, for no particular reason.

Everton supporter Joe Blagg, of the Wirral, had this to say: “We’re 7^th in the league, and Moyes seems to think that’s good enough.  It’s a disgrace, it would never have happened in Walter Smith’s day.  He knew we needed a right back as cover for Tony Hibbert, and what if Nigel Martyn gets injured?  But no, all he buys is strikers.  We need somebody in who knows how to spend money properly.”

Tottenham made 8 new signings, including 5 midfielders.  4 were signed in the last 2 hours of deadline day.  “You need a big squad to compete, and you can’t afford to leave things to chance at this level.”  9 players left through the Tottenham revolving door, including Andy Reid, who claimed he was never given a proper chance to show what he could do.  When asked to respond to Reid’s comments, Jol consulted a member of the coaching staff before responding.  “Reid?  Is he the Irish lad?  Good player, but you can’t afford to stand still at this level.”

Wayne Rooney scored a wonder goal, and was sent off, twice. 

Milan Baros scored his 6^th Premiership goal of the season, to the delight of David O’Leary; “That’s what we bought him for, but we still need lots more money in the summer to compete with the big boys in the top half.”

Steve McClaren refused to blame his England responsibilities on Middlesbrough’s indifferent recent form.  “I am more than capable of doing both jobs, don’t you worry about that,” he replied, smiling smugly.

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce expressed his delight at signing Quinton Fortune.  “It shows how big a club we have become that we can sign a Manchester United regular substitute.”

February 2006

Graeme Souness resigned as manager of 9^th-placed Newcastle United, citing ‘The ridiculous expectations of the Board and supporters’ as the reason.  "They don’t understand it takes years to build a team and find the right blend, you can’t just wave a magic wand.  It took me time, but I nearly got it right at Liverpool, Southampton, Galatasaray and Blackburn, and look at all the titles I won in Scotland.  How many has Freddy Shepherd won?  Exactly!  The players have let me down, and I feel really disappointed after the faith and patience I have shown in them all."

Newcastle supporter Malcolm Smith summed up the feelings of the Geordie nation: “Wor Graeme is one of our most successful managers ever, he bought Michael Owen and spent more money than any of our other managers.  At first I wasn’t sure about him, he talked about rubbish like ‘discipline and team spirit’, but he quickly realised the only way to be successful is to spend money to compete with the big boys, and it was only a matter of time before he won the Premiership.”

David Moyes was sacked as manager of Everton, despite taking them back into the top 6.  Chairperson Anita Gregg blamed the manager’s overcautious approach in the transfer market.  “We gave him money to spend; all the agents we deal with sent him videos, we even let him fly abroad, at the club’s expense I might add, to talk to players; we even let him bring some over to England for further discussions, but he used to complain about trivial things like their ‘attitude, temperament, obsession with money during contract talks, insisting on playing in a certain position, agents fees, budgets and such jargon.  In the end his position became untenable and we had to act.”

Former Everton spokesperson Ian Ross said “Gizza job, go ‘ead, giz it, I can do that.  I can read off a card, it’s easy, I can answer e-mails as well, I’ll say whatever you want me to say.”

Everton Supporter Jim Blugg, from North Wales, backed the Board’s decision.  “We finished 4^th last season, now we’re only just scraping into the top 6, and all he bought was more strikers.  We’re going backwards and he never signed a right back when he had the chance, if Hibbo get’s injured we’ve had it.”

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce revealed how close his relegation strugglers came to making 5 ‘big’ signings on deadline day: “One was only seconds away, literally, but the ink was blocked so we had to shake the pen to get the ink flowing, then his agent’s mobile went and it was Osasuna, and they’re 7^th in La Liga, so that was that.”

Tottenham manager Martin Jol revealed he was not worried about signing 3 players without them undertaking a medical or agreeing personal terms.  “It’s merely a formality, we’ll sort out their wages and details like that when I get introduced to them next week or sometime soon after.”

Wayne Rooney was suspended this month. 

Rafael Benitez refused to be drawn on rumours of a get out clause in Michael Owen’s Newcastle contract being triggered this summer.  “My priority is a centre back and right midfielder, that hasn’t changed.”

Supporter Terry Mack from Huyton said, “Michael Owen’s boss; we need him back to play with Stevie G.  Rafa’s great, obviously, the best since Shanks, but he needs to understand he’s in the Premier League, not Spain, any more, whatever that has to do with anything.”

March 2006

Everton appointed Graeme Souness as manager.  Chairperson Anita Gregg expressed her delight with the appointment: “We needed somebody with ambition, who can identify well-known players and offer them and their clubs the going rate.  We have assured the manager he will be given the funds to compete for the very best players if, and when, they become available.”

Newcastle caretaker manager Alan Shearer announced that he had no intention of taking the job full-time: “I have always planned to retire at the end of the season and nothing will change that.”  He defended his decision to select himself to spearhead a 4-5-1 formation with Michael Owen playing on the right wing, and denied it had anything to do with a bet over who would be the top scorer.  “That’s nonsense; the needs of the team always come first,” he said.

Champions League chasing Liverpool were again linked with a summer move for Michael Owen, if they manage to finish in the top 4.  Rafael Benitez reiterated his priorities were a centre-back and right-midfielder and deflecting questions about Steven Gerrard’s future.

April 2006

In a shock move, Newcastle have appointed former Everton manager David Moyes as manager.  Chairman Freddy Shepherd joked, “Now David can work with all the players he couldn’t sign at Everton.  He’s in the big time now, and we will give him all the tools necessary to do the job.”

Newcastle fans were generally unimpressed by the club’s choice.  “Who’s he ever signed?  When’s he ever spent £16M on one player?  This club’s too big for the likes of him,” said Tommy Spencer of Gateshead.

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce denied ever being tempted by the Newcastle job.  “I am as committed as ever to Birmingham City.  I think I am well known as being loyal.  I am very close to signing a new extended contract, it’s literally minutes away.”

Alan Shearer said he supported the choice of manager.  “Obviously he’s a good manager, and I will support him as much I can, and will always be there for advice if called upon.”

Wayne Rooney scored 2 goals, and wasn’t booked at all.

May 2006

Chelsea won their second successive title.

Liverpool qualified for the Champions League in 6^th place.  Supporter Bernard Edwards from Runcorn wasn’t impressed.  “We have to go through a qualifying round even though we won it last year, it’s not fair.  If it was Chelsea it wouldn’t happen, they’re just buying the title.  If we’d signed Michael Owen we’d have won the league, Bungling Benitez has a lot to answer for.”

5^th-placed Tottenham qualified for the Uefa Cup.

Graeme Souness talked about the “mammoth” rebuilding job necessary at 9^th-placed Everton, but vowed he would “spend whatever it takes” to get the job done.

Newcastle captain Alan Shearer denied rumours of a rift with new manager David Moyes, who has overseen an improvement in results without Shearer starting regularly.  “David has his ideas, and I have mine, sometimes he doesn’t agree with me, but that’s football, it’s all about opinions.  I’m sure we’ll come to an understanding in time and I’ll be able to pass on my experience of how this club does things to David.”

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson said he felt as fit as ever and that “Chelsea certainly won’t have it all their own way next season, you can be sure of that.  They don’t know what it’s like to defend your title for the second time, we do and that will be crucial.”

August 2006

Alan Shearer signed a 1-year contract with West Ham after a major fallout with David Moyes.  After alleged disagreements over team selection last season, matters reportedly came to a head when Moyes refused to sign a player recommended by Shearer.  The final straw was when Shearer turned up for a chat with the manager to find he had flown to Holland that morning to speak to a player without consulting his captain first.  “He’s only been here 5 minutes and he thinks he’s running the show!” a furious Shearer is reported to have said.

Newcastle fans reacted with dismay to the news of Shearer’s departure.  “Who does Moyes think he is?  This is the final straw.  Last week he even had a press conference indoors when he signed a player, with just the press allowed in.  This is the People’s Club and he has to realise we are the most important people here, without us he wouldn’t even have a job.” complained Simon Lewis of Co Durham.

Manchester United signed Michael Owen from Newcastle for £12M. 

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez denied ever being in for Owen.  “Our priority is a centre-back and a right-midfielder and a goalkeeper,” he claimed.  With Scott Carson loaned back to Leeds for a season after failing to impress and Pepe Reina failing to settle on Merseyside, for Benitez the need to sign another keeper was more urgent than ever.

Fast forward to July 2007

EVERTON: Graeme Souness has resigned, with the club rumoured to be in massive debt and the Foundation Investment Group looking to sell their shareholding.  Gary Megson, Peter Reid and Dave Jones have all been linked with the manager's job, with a number of star players tipped to leave.  Anita Gregg was defiant.  “We are fully committed to this business, and will only sell to someone with the best interests of the club at heart, but we’re no mugs and the improvements we have made will be reflected in the asking price for our shares.”

NEWCASTLE: David Moyes resigned in June to become manager of Celtic.  Steve McClaren took over as manager, claiming it would not interfere with his role as England manager.  Supporter Tony Blair expressed his concern about the new manager’s potential workload.  “Well, he’s gonna have a lot of press conferences for England, I just hope he’s not too tired to have loads of them for us as well.  The only fair way is to make sure there are no England games during the transfer window.”

LIVERPOOL:  Rafael Benitez continues his search for a centre-back, right-midfielder, erratic foreign goalkeeper and the next England goalkeeper.  Speculation about the Spaniard’s future was rife, with only the prospect of Champions League football again to look forward to due to his side reaching the Quarter Finals of the FA cup and finishing 7^th in the league.  Supporter Terry Moss of Plymouth said: “Rafa is on borrowed time, if he doesn’t win the Premiership next season I think it’s time to get a Portugese fella in, like that Mourhino, or maybe a Dutchman, like that Jol.  It’s no good living in the past, whatever that means.”

MANCHESTER UNITED: Alex Ferguson’s threats to retire were finally taken seriously, with Malcolm Glazer accepting his verbal resignation at a family barbecue.  Martin O’Neill is tipped to take over, with Duncan Fletcher rumoured to have strong boardroom support after transforming England into the world’s top cricket side.  “He has good leadership qualities, and is used to working as part of a committee.”

Wayne Rooney said he was “gutted, like,” at the departure of his mentor, who had guided him since recruiting him as a raw unknown from Everton.  Supporter Joe Miller, from Wycombe, said: “It’s a sad day for football, Sir Alex should be knighted for what he’s achieved.  I’m cancelling my subscription to MUTV, well I won’t need it as long as the new manager will talk to the other channels.”

MIDDLESBROUGH: Graeme Souness and David O’Leary were embroiled in a war of words over their credentials to spend Steve Gibson’s millions at managerless Middlesbrough.  O’Leary began by claiming: “Obviously, they are an ambitious club and it is flattering to be linked, but of course spending money doesn’t guarantee success, even if you sign Michael Owen.”  Souness responded by claiming: “I absolutely agree that spending money doesn’t guarantee success, even if you sign Seth Johnson.”  Middlesbrough eventually appointed Paul Jewell as manager.  “I’ll just get on with the job and not talk about what I might or might not do.”  Local newspaper reporters expressed their concern over the appointment.

BIRMINGHAM CITY: After narrowly avoiding relegation, manager Billy Davies denied he was the new David Moyes.  “We’re both Scottish, but that’s far as it goes; I’m just here to do the best I can and get on with the job in hand.  This is an ambitious club who are aiming to grow and establish ourselves as a big club, but I won’t waste money for the sake of it.”  Karren Brady said the club would support the manager: “We are obviously a big club, well established in the Premier League despite last season’s blip, and to say otherwise is derogatory” — a clear swipe at Sky pundit Steve Bruce’s recent comments that: “The problem at Birmingham is that they are not as big as they think they are, and a reality check is needed.”

ASTON VILLA : Once again, there was speculation of a take-over at the Midland club, who finished 10^th.  The news was welcomed by manager David O’Leary: “We need more investment to stay in the top half of the table, I can’t carry on performing miracles on a shoestring.”

 

It’s amazing the far-fetched things that go through your mind when you get carried away.  Thankfully, us Evertonians have our feet firmly on the ground and aren’t prone to knee-jerk reactions when we don’t get what we want immediately… 

Rob Fox

Reponse from Sasco el Juggler, Douglas, IoM

Some of my dreams are more realistic (you know just scoring one goal!), and some seem amazingly real. Recently I dreamt that Moyes bought a load of world class players this summer, but missed out on several potentially average strikers.

Everton, with all their new players coming in took time to gel, but luckily, injuries to the new players meant that for a large part of the season that we used most of the players who finished 4th last season. They made mistakes and their legs were another year older, but they also knew each other and they had a good team spirit, and by the end of September we were 7th in the league and pushing hard on Spurs, Bolton and, more importantly, the Shite.

Our new players started to edge into the team; van der Meyde, a little nervous at first, soon responded to the crowd, who were singing “We’ve got (stamp, stamp) van der Meyde” (to the tune of Glad all over), and he was soon whizzing down either wing and getting in tremendous crosses for Beattie, Arteta was free to fulfil his potential as midfield genius and he was soon setting up everything, looking like he had time to sit down for tea and scones as he assessed each opportunity before finally chosing which ball to play.

Neville and the new solid defence, were exactly that – solid. Nothing could get past them and the never aging Nigel Martyn at the back. They looked so comfortable on the ball, breaking up attacks and then playing it out to Arteta to set up the next attack.

We started moving up the pack again, and by the end of October we were in 5th spot, behind Liberpool, who also looked good going forward, but were missing those final ingredients, that mantra repeated by Rafa at every press conference: “a central defender, a right winger and a loaf of bread, ...a central defender, a right winger and a loaf of bread.”.

November and December went by in a blur, we were still in the Uefa Cup, and tired legs and injuries meant that our League form suffered, so by Boxing day we were struggling to consolidate our 4th spot, with Spurs and the Shite pressing at our heels.

January came and the struggling Newcastle, the bottomless pockets of Spurs, Rafa’s swap shop of Cisse, and amazingly Man City, were all shopping at the finest boutiques for that most elusive of commodities: a 20-goal-a-season striker. The price was already high, but these pushed prices up even higher. Newcastle bought Keane for £8M, Man City bought Benni McCarthy, also for £8M, Spurs bought two new strikers Govou (£10M) and Lucarelli (£5M), and Rafa finally unloaded Cisse and got his man, paying £11M for the amazing Simoa.

With all this money flying about Everton were also in there and we bought … no one, although we’d tried and failed to buy Kuyt, Makaay, and were then beaten to Keane by Newcastle. Moyes simply said that he had his targets, and if they weren’t available at the right price then he’d go on looking, whilst continuing to develop our own players, especially Vaughan who was progressing nicely and had come off the bench to help us snatch several victories in the dying moments.

February made us shiver, we saw the Shite take 4th spot, our superb Uefs Cup run was taking its toll, and we slipped behind Liverpool to a chorus of “You’re bubble has finally burst”, and “Get back down where you belong”, mainly coming from the BBC’s very own Alan Green.

The team continued to battle, and we kept pushing the Liverpool right through March until April saw us crash out of the Uefa Cup semis to Inter Milan, the eventual winners. Liverpool, with no cup run to distract them, were just managing to keep one step ahead of us, every time they lost points, then so did we, the gap was only three points, but we couldn’t seem to close it.

Then with only three games remaining, Everton’s class started to tell. The pressure of trying to hold onto 4th spot got too much for Rafa’s men, who despite having a good squad, were finding goals hard to come by, and their defence with “Ropey Reina” behind them was starting to look decidedly shakey.

We beat Birmingham and Boro and with Liverpool only managing one draw, we were two points clear of them, with only one game to go. We had West Brom at home and Liverpool were away to Portsmouth who were already relegated with nothing to play for … except their pride.

It was a nail-biting afternoon, with Everton missing a hatful of chances and West Brom fighting for their very survival, and the writing was on the wall when Super Kev scored for the Baggies just after the interval. It was still 0-0 at Portsmouth and we knew a jammy injury time goal for Liverpool would give them 4th. We carried on pressing and, then with 5 minutes to go, Beattie finally beat the impressive Holt with a superb volley from van der Meyde’s cross. And then, deep into injury time with Everton searching for the win that would guarantee us a Champions League place, the crowd went wild, cheering Alan Green’s voice for the first time ever, as across the radio waves he said those fateful words; “….and Laurent Robert has scored the goal that may put Liverpool’s dream of Champions League glory beyond them.”

We’d done it! We’d qualified for the Champions League again, twice in successive years! But this time, we had European experience, we knew what to expect and our previous cup run had helped improve our Uefa coefficent, so we would be drawn against the minnows in the 3rd Qualifying round, and have an easier route to the Group stages.

And more importantly during that summer, just before our tour of Thailand and China, the squad was eventually joined by Kuyt, and the rest, as they say….. is history.

©2005 ToffeeWeb