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ToffeeWeb Season Diary
Season 2005-06

Navigate to previous months and seasons using the calendar (right).

 

 June 2006



News Headlines & Features

Weir's here for one more year
29 Jun - "Ever since the day I arrived at the club I've loved every minute of it," says David Weir as he puts pen to paper and signs an extension on his contract, keeping him at Goodison Park for one more season. The experienced defender, signed from Hearts back in 1999 for a nominal fee added, "most players who have left Everton have regretted it and although I had other options, this club was always going to be the winner. The players are a great bunch of lads and the staff are great as well and that makes a big difference."

World Cup heartbreak for Cahill
26 Jun - Everton midfielder Tim Cahill was left standing helpless as Francesco Totti slotted home an injury time penalty, sending Italy forward to a World Cup quarter final and the unfortunate Australians homeward bound. Australia can count themselves unlucky to lose in such dramatic fashion but Blackburn Rovers defender Lucas Neill's mistimed challenge allowed the Italian attacker to win a penalty that was to prove so costly for the Socceroos. Ex-Everton defender Marco Materazi was sent off early in the second half for a clumsy challenge. Home in time for pre-season Tim!

Portugal survive lunatic referee
25 Jun - In the craziest match of the World Cup so far, Portugal hung on to a first-half lead to beat off a determined challenge from Holland for the privilege of playing England in the Quarter Finals. Nuno Valente was one of the many players who got yellow cards from yet another useless Fifa referee, Russian Valentin Ivanov.

Vaughan still ''making progress''
24 Jun - James Vaughan is progressing well in his recovery from knee reconstruction surgery in Colorado back in April. It has been stop-start in terms of his long overdue comeback, with the young up-coming star breaking down not once but twice as the Everton physios struggled to get him back him shape before he finally went to Dr Richard Steadman. Hopefully he will be fit enough to play some part in pre-season preparations.

International defender re-signs for Blues
23 Jun - Scottish international defender David Weir has agreed to sign a one-year extension, keeping him at Goodison for the forthcoming season. Dave Prentice, in the Liverpool Echo, acclaims the signing as a "huge boost" as Everton continue to strengthen the squad. Weir, who turned 36 in May, started 41 matches last season. The re-signing of Weir now leaves only Joseph Yobo's future uncertain as he has yet to put pen to paper on a new deal.

Everton kick off new season at Goodison
22 Jun - Everton will begin their 2006-07 campaign with a visit from new boys Watford to Goodison Park on 19 August. David Moyes's side then travel the short distance to face Blackburn Rovers on the 23rd and we get the trip to White Hart Lane out of our system also in the first week of the new season, visiting The Lane on 26 August. As ever, the search for the Merseyside derby dates remains a priority and we're due to face our Mersey rivals on September 9 at Goodison with a trip across Stanley Park in early February. Subject, of course, to our friends from BSkyB...

New deal for defender
21 Jun - Nigerian captain Joseph Yobo is set to end the speculation surrounding his future by signing a new deal keeping him at Everton. The defender said that "the respect that I get here spurs me on and I realise that I have a responsibility to go on and push myself to help the team to achieve something." He is expected to sign the new deal on July 1. Amusingly he remarked also that "apart from not winning anything, everything else is great." Nil satis, eh, Joey?!

Van der Meyde rehabilitated?
19 Jun - Perhaps it was an excercise in reverse psychology or tough love from David Moyes, who had seemingly put the "for sale" sign on enigmatic Dutch winger and self-proclaimed normal guy, Andy van der Meyde. The latest word is "I want to him to stay and I want to see him get fit." The 'problems' seem to have gone well beyond the injuries that frustrated AvdM's first season at Goodison but now we can hopefully look forward in anticipation to see of what we know this fella can do on the field.

Cahill plays too deep in Aussie loss
18 Jun - Tim Cahill somewhat surprisingly was named in the starting line-up for the Socceroos in their huge match against Brazil. But the Aussies paid far too much respect to their illustrious opponents and Cahill in particular played far too deep to be of any use whatsoever. After Brazil got the lead just after half-time, he was subbed for kopite Harry Kewell, who characteristically wasted not one but two good chances as the Aussies tamely went down 2-0 to a mediocre Brazilian performance.

Van der Meyde answers his critics
17 Jun - Andy van der Meyde has spoken to the Football Echo to dispell the rumours about his, er, 'social habits'. "I'm not an alcoholic," says the Dutch winger in response to rumbings that suggest a fondness for the juice. But AvdM says, "I'm just a normal guy", insisting that he loves it at Everton and wants to stay: "Why would I want to go back to Inter?"

Cahill may not start v Brazil
16 Jun - Tim Cahill may not start Australia's massive game against Brazil on Sunday, despite his obvious goalscoring prowess, as Socceroos manager Guus Hiddink fears losing one or more of four booked players through more silly tackles and unneccesary yellow cards. Cahill is right in that category, with Fifa stating that his second foul on Kamano should have been rewarded with a penalty for Japan.

Everton to leave the City of Liverpool?
15 Jun - The Liverpool Echo reports that Everton FC have entered talks with Knowsley council and Tesco over the construction of a proposed new stadium in Kirkby. The Kirkby plan is said to be by far the most viable since the much-vaunted Kings Dock stadium project collapsed in 2003. The proposed site is on land off Valley Road and Cherryfield Drive, partly occupied by Knowsley Community College. A council spokesman said: "We are in the early stages of discussion with Tesco regarding a potential leisure and retail development close to Kirkby town centre. The development has the potential to incorporate a new stadium for Everton FC."

Lescott finally completes move
14 Jun - Joleon Lescott has finally put pen to paper and signed for Everton after weeks of frustration stalled the completion of his move from Championship side, Wolves. The young central defender is ecstatic with his move to Goodison, saying that "the manager told me how passionate the fans are but I knew that already to be honest. You can see it on the television, around the city and there is not a better group of supporters than Everton's." Lescott's arrival now places further doubt on David Weir signing a new deal to remain at Goodison Park.

Cahill bags it for the Aussies!
12 Jun - Tim Cahill came on after 53 minutes for Australia and became their hero with just 6 mins left, jabbing home a vital equalizer after a dreadful refereeing error put Japan ahead in the first half. But more was to come in the final minute when Cahill struck a superb shot in off the post to score a fantastic second for the Socceroos — their first ever goals in the World Cup Finals! Aloisi went on to seal a great comeback win in added time with a virtuoso third. Tiny himself is, naturally, over the moon .

Valente Slams Allegations
12 Jun - Portuguese full-back Nuno Valente has refuted allegations made in the press that he is looking for a move to a more ambitious club. Speaking to the official site, the 31-year-old defender said, "I would like to state that I am completely happy at Everton and I have never indicated that I would like to leave the club." Misquoted by the press? Story made up? Or is somebody playing both sides of the fence?

Weir ponders his future
12 Jun - David Weir is expected to decide this week between the options on the table in front of him regarding his footballing future: staying with Everton and playing in the Premiership, but perhaps only as a second choice / perennial sub. Or getting regular starts for West Brom in the Championship.

Valente slams lack of ambition
11 Jun - In a move guaranteed to endear him to countless Evertonians ... NOT! — Portugal defender Nuno Valente has told the News of the World he would accept a move to a more ambitious club! Given Moyes's commitment to keeping only players who want to play for Everton, perhaps Valente will now get his wish. Fine, get rid and buy Boka then!

End of the road for Nigel
8 Jun - Goalkeeper Nigel Martyn has been forced into retirement because of his persisting ankle injury. The 39 year old keeper, an outstanding success during his time at Everton, has conceded defeat in his battle to recover from the ankle injury which cut short his season earlier this year.

Home is where the heart is
6 Jun - Groundhog Day once more, with the thorny issue of a ground move again on the agenda. The Daily Post asks the burning question — Should Everton move to Kirkby? — and this article features the varied responses you'd expect from a wide range of Evertonians. King's Dock revisited?

Lescott transfer may collapse
5 Jun - The Daily Post indicates that Joleon Lescott's transfer to Everton is in danger of collapsing due to concerns we have highlighted over the weekend regarding the health and condition of his knee. The move depends on the results of more stringent tests, and Everton's desire to renegotiate the terms of the deal to reduce the upfront payment and make the remainder appearance-dependent. But it's a completely different story coming out of Molyneux.
Update: It's now being reported that any deal won't be completed unti next week at the earliest as Lescott has gone on holiday!

Can we have our ball back, please?
5 Jun - Evertonian Gareth Owen has penned another collection of children's poems in celebration of the upcoming World Cup in Germany, wjhich starts on Friday.  Being a good Everton fan, Gareth has woven in plenty of hooks to please his fellow Evertonians, and the book is very nicely priced... so go on, give your kids a treat.

Cahill ties it up in Holland
4 Jun - Everton midfielder Tim Cahill got in among the goals again for Australia as the Socceroos fought back to earn an impressive draw in Rotterdam today. Cahill tapped the ball into the net after Mark Viduka's bizarre penalty strike hit the bar, the post and Dutch 'keeper Edwin van der Sar.

Lescott move hits a snag
3 Jun - Just when we thought it couldn't get any better, The Mirror is reporting that the transfer of Joleon Lescott to Everton became bogged down when a problem with his knee showed up in his medical. However Sky Sports carry this claim from Wolves that Lescott has passed his medical and any delay is due to the devil in the details. BBC Sport confims that Lescott has passed his medical.

Everton Swoop for Lescott
1 Jun - Everton are poised to add highly-rated Wolves defender Joleon Lescott to their ranks after a bid, believed to match Wigan's £5.5m offer, was accepted by the Midlands club. Like Andy Johnson, Lescott is believed to prefer a move to Everton over The Latics. Negotiations over personal terms with Lescott will now open with a view to tying up a deal by the end of the week. Is this the second example of the summer that Everton are ready to compete next season? Or do they know that Yobo will be leaving and are using cash they hope to earn from his sale to bring in a possible replacement?

 
 

Snippets & Rumours

Everton, Live on Sky
30 Jun - The Goodison Derby in September, and five other games up until Christmas, have been rearranged with live coverage on Sky or Prem-Plus.

Bilbao game is Kendall testimonial
29 Jun - Everton's final pre-season fixture, a home match against Athletic Bilboa on 12 August 2006, is to be a testimonial game for Goodison legend, Howard Kendall. Kendall left for a fresh challenge at Bilbao after the 1986-87 Championship-winning season.

McDonald is new Carlisle boss
29 Jun - Carlisle have named former Everton defender Neil McDonald as their new manager. He made over 100 appearances for Everton in 1988-91, scoring 8 goals.

Dallas fixture set
28 Jun - The second of Everton's pre-season fixtures in the US against Mexico's Club America will take place in Dallas, Texas, on Saturday, 29th July at 20h30 local time.

Moyes on the look-out
26 Jun - David Moyes would still like to bring in a couple more players, despite having spent most of the transfer budget.

Tim acknowledges Everton support
26 Jun - As the Australians prepare to take on Italy this afternoon, Tim Cahill paid tribute to the many Everton fans who have made a point of supporting him in Germany.

Early start for Victor
26 Jun - Victor Anicebe has made an early start to pre-season training in an effort to make sure he is in the best possible shape.

Blues still need width
23 Jun - In our latest poll, the majority of votes cast by ToffeeWeb readers back up the generally-held assumption that Everton need a genuine winger to complete the close season's transfer business.

Cahill: the shirt off his back
23 Jun - Tim Chaill gave his shirt not to a Croatian after the Socceroos' successful entry to the last 16 of the World Cup, but to an Everton fan he saw in the crowd.

Switch Island move opposed
23 Jun - Local opposition is voiced by some to the suggestion that Peel Holdings could develop a new stadium for Everton at Switch Island.

Cahill and Co through to last 16
22 Jun - Tim Cahill played the full 90 minutes as Australia battled out a pulsating 2-2 draw with Croatia to book their passage to the knockout phase of the World Cup Finals in Germany.

Club deny McFadden contract report
21 Jun - David Prentice claims an exclusive in The Echo that James McFadden has accepted Everton's take-it-or-leave-it contract offer, but Everton are denying the Scot has signed yet remain confident he will.

Halewood Academy underway
20 Jun - The new-look Official Everton FC Website reports that work is set to begin / has already begun on the new buildings at the Halewood home of the new Everton Academy and training complex.

Linchpin Linderoth!!!
19 Jun - Mention Tobias Linderoth and most Everton fans - if they remember him at all - will think of a timid midfielder who left Goodison in June 2004 after 2½ unremarkable years. But Sweden's coach Lars Lagerback has a different perspective...

Portugal in to last 16
17 Jun - Portugal moved into the last 16 at the World Cup Finals with a laboured 2-0 win over Iran, Nuno Valente again playing the full match.

Dithering in Dallas
16 Jun - Confusion abounds over the second of Everton's upcoming games on their pre-season tour of two US cities. The game against Club América in Dallas may take place on Sunday 30 July... or it may not.

LCC offer up two sites
16 Jun - The headline in this story is that the Kirkby development carries a £250M price-tag, but it also states that Warren Brady, Leader of Liverpool City Council, is also offering Everton two prime pieces of land within the city.

Spending spree not over
15 Jun - David Moyes has hinted that the Everton summer spree may yet see him adding to the first team squad. He said, "with a bit of luck we might add one or two more before the start of the season, but I would expect that to be a lot nearer the deadline than now."

Faddy happy to stay
13 Jun - James McFadden is close to extending his stay at Everton. The Scottish international, with one year left on his current contract, has intimated that a new deal will soon be reached. His agent, Catherine Robertson said, "I had a meeting with Keith Wyness last week and the talks were very positive. James will speak with David Moyes this week and we're hopeful we can get something sorted out."

Big talk from Big Keith
12 Jun - In an interview with the Daily Post's Business editor, Bill Gleeson, Keith Wyness makes the bold suggestion that Everton could have a new stadium before Liverpool.

McFadden not looking to leave
12 Jun - James McFadden's agent, Catherine Robertson, is refuting claims made over the weekend that the Scotland international has rejected Everton's third and final contract offer.

Leave our game alone
12 Jun - Everton CEO, Keith Wyness, backs the Premier League's stance against FIFA's desire to cut the Premiership from 20 to 18 clubs.

Portugal flatter to deceive
11 Jun - Nuno Valente played in Portugal's win over Angola, which promised to be a great game, but faded into tedium after 15 mins or so as Valente's mates failed to press home their advantage.

Ex-Blues in Yellow
10 Jun - Tobias Linderoth and Niclas Alexandersson both played in Sweden's frustrating draw against plucky Trinidad & Tobago at the World Cup.

World Cup Spreadsheet
10 Jun - Download this excellent interactive spreadsheet application to keep track of the World Cup games, results, groups, etc. Includes a time zone adjustment to give local Kick-Off times.

Forum Back Online!
9 Jun - We're pleased an announce that the forum is back up and running. It looked at one stage that we may just have to wipe everything and start again, but after loads of emails flying back and forth to our hosts in the States and hours of painstaking work on the database we managed to restore everything perfectly. Pretty good huh?

VdM has regrets
9 Jun - Andy van der Meyde has told the Italian press he regrets leaving Italian football, and he wants to go back.

''The best referee in the world''
9 Jun - Not that baldy bug-eyed schister again!

Final contract offer for McFadden
8 Jun - Everton have made a take-it-or-leave it contract offer to James McFadden.

Lescott saga heading for resolution
7 Jun - Joleon Lescott could be an Everton player by the end of the week with Wolves insisting the move is back on and the Echo claiming that the deal has been restructured so that it is based more on appearances.

Midland battle for Weir
6 Jun - Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion, both relegated from the Premiership this past season are reportedly fighting for the services of veteran defender David Weir. Weir, now a free agent, has been offered a one year deal by Everton but may look further afield for better offers.

Everton ''want more time''
5 Jun - Everton have asked Wolves to give them more time as they deliberate over unspecified aspects of the Joleon Lescott transfer — most likely the condition of his knee that was reconstructed by Colorado surgeon Richard Steadman three years ago.

Big Dunc: Part 5
5 Jun - David Prentice wraps up his Duncan Ferguson retrospective in the Liverpool Echo.

Que sera, sera!
4 Jun - Andy Johnson bemoans a season spent in The Championship, highlighting his absence from The Premiership which may have cost him a place on the flight to Germany this week. "I have no regrets that I stayed that extra year at Selhurst Park and I have always said 'what will be, will be'."

Cahill plays for Australia
4 Jun - Tim Cahill opened the scoring for Australia in their 8-1 win over Dutch side VV Kloetingen during a pre-World Cup practise match, before he was substituted... was that related to landing awkwardly on his injured knee???

Moyes still concerned with Cahill
3 Jun - David Moyes continues to voice his concerns about the possibility that the Australians are pushing Tim Cahill's recovery too hard and that could lead to damaging his knee ligaments again.

Johnson in line behind Defoe
2 Jun - Sven Goran Eriksson has revealed that Spurs striker Jermaine Defoe is ahead of Andy Johnson in the queue of stand-by strikers for the World Cup Finals.

Big Dunc: Part 4
2 Jun - Part 4 of David Prentice's continuing Saga of Duncan Ferguson. The Post & Echo have also put together This souvenier 92-page glossy paper-magazine-booklet to celebrate the Big Yin's Everton career.

Take the money, Joe
2 Jun - According to The Sun, Joey Yobo is being offered a staggering £40k per week to stay at Everton and develop a rearguard partnership with Joleon Lescott — the Jo-Jo Boys!

Big Dunc: Part 3
1 Jun - Part 3 of David Prentice's take on the Saga of Duncan Ferguson.

Jeffers longs for Everton return
1 Jun - Francis Jeffers, who was released after another poor season at Charlton, would relish a return to Everton, and insists there is no lasting rift with manager David Moyes.

 
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