Dear Mr Rooney,

My name is Andy Osborne, I am a 46 year old scouser who left Liverpool at the age of 18, I have lived in many countries around the world and currently own a vineyard and restaurant in Perth, Australia. In the world of "normal people", I can be considered quite successful and am enjoying the fruits of my hard work. I am passionate about Everton Football Club and, if I could, would buy it and do my best to return the team to the top of the Premier League. Unfortunately I am not in a position to do that, but I can dream.

You are a scouser, who left Liverpool at an early age and, in the world of super sports stars, have been incredibly successful. If recent reports are to be believed (often they are not), you may be ready for your next challenge. Your advisors, agents and the world’s press are talking about Arsenal, Chelsea, Real Madrid or Paris St Germain. These are all worthy suggestions, and would present you with a great opportunity to win more trophies, play in the Champions League and end your career very rich, and with an even bigger trophy cabinet.

I have a slightly different suggestion: A return to Everton. Before you dismiss the idea out of hand, just hear me out. Everton cannot afford your transfer fee, but we do have one or two players that Mr Moyes would like to take to Manchester United, if he could. A player swap or player/cash deal could be done. Everton could not afford the wages you are reported to be earning at Man Utd, but I am sure your agents/advisors could agree an independent marketing agreement similar to Beckham at PSG or Ronaldo at Real, this would supplement the wages Everton could pay you. I lived for a time in the USA, some sports stars over there moved to a team for a percentage ownership of the team — another thing you could consider. There are many ways to make a return to Everton as lucrative as a move to one of the super rich clubs. But there is one question to be answered: Why would you want to?

Everton want a player, need a player who can lead the team, focus the world’s media on Goodison Park, and have the ability to change the team and change games... you are that player.

Everton need a player who understands what it is to be an Evertonian, it is in the blood; Once a Blue, Always a Blue... you are that player.

Everton need a player who wants to return the team to the top; you were too young to remember the 80’s, I am not, but I am sure you were brought up with those stories. You have the passion for Everton and your family has that passion.

I cannot think of any superstar player who, at the peak of their career, has made the move home, to help build success. It would be a first.

Imagine the success, the fame, the accolades, if you were to help Everton reach the top; you would be an Everton legend forever.

Imagine if you lead Everton into Europe, to the Cup Final, to the League Title!

Imagine if you made this move, whatever the outcome, you would be home and the supporters would respect you for making such a move. Footballers have relatively short careers; after yours has ended, you would have a legacy, a place, an open invitation for the rest of your life.

I did not ever dream of owning a vineyard when I was growing up in Huyton; I imagine you never dreamed of owning, or part owning Everton Football Club, when you were little. But now you could.

When you left Everton all those years ago, the transfer fee we received helped save the club and build a team; your return would save the club for a second time.

Please consider the idea.

Regards
Andy Osborne

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Andy Boyer
2 Posted 26/07/2013 at 15:05:06
And I honestly believe Moyes knew about the Man Utd job last October / November when he started acting like a twat which is also the time around which the rumours of Rooney being unsettled began. He didn't want to work with him back then and he doesn't now.
Luke O'Farrell
3 Posted 26/07/2013 at 15:01:33
This Rooney love-in is bizarre, it's all over Twitter as well. It wasn't so long ago that we was scoring against us and kissing the United badge - on more than one occasion, it must be said. All of a sudden, because his lad wears the Everton kit, everyone wants him back.

"A player who understands what it is to be an Evertonian, it is in the blood; Once a Blue, Always a Blue... you are that player." - Sorry, but that's laughable. There wasn't a hint of the above when he left and in the years that followed.

Yes, his fee 'saved' the club - though it was nowhere near the amount Kenwright mentioned, 'he's a £50m player' etc- but he showed a complete lack of respect to those who gave him his chance in football and the fans who supported him.

He had his chance to cement a place in Everton folklore, but he spurned it. Few could begrudge the United move, he left to win things and that's the way the game is. The problem is the way he behaved afterwards.

The idea of welcoming him back with open arms borders on insanity. I'd much rather have the service of players such as Arteta and Cahill - they showed more loyalty than this so-called 'Once a Blue, Always a Blue'.

Not that any of this matters mind, there's more chance of us finding investment than Rooney returning.

Danny Broderick
4 Posted 26/07/2013 at 15:13:51
Luke,

Would he improve our team?

I can't see it happening, but I'd love it if it did...

Tony Horne
5 Posted 26/07/2013 at 15:15:47
As returns go, Andy. Yours is more likely than his.
Matt Traynor
6 Posted 26/07/2013 at 15:14:18
Absolute pipe dream. Rooney sold his soul to a vacuum salesman who will not give up his cash cow, even if the player himself wanted to "go home".

There's more of a chance of him coming back after his next big contract, in his early 30s, a parody of the player he once was. His physique / lifestyle will see to that.

Anyway I wouldn't be surprised to see him stay at Man U - they've told him to put a transfer request in writing - so that's that! (Boom boom!)

Giles Larkman
7 Posted 26/07/2013 at 15:37:13
Pipe dream or not, I'm with you on this one Andy.
James Marshall
8 Posted 26/07/2013 at 15:33:50
The guy is a part of the Manchester United global marketing machine - this alone makes a move to Everton impossible. He has huge contracts with Nike, Pepsi etc and these further complicate things. If (and it's a big if) he leaves Utd, there isn't a person on the planet that would advise him to come back to Everton.

His transfer is much more than a footballing one, because he is much more than just a footballer. He's a cash-cow, a marketing tool and a product.

At Everton he would not command the same level of marketing prowess, advertising pull or revenue to the companies he's so deeply linked to via sponsorship. These issues are one of the biggest reason that this will not happen until he's seen out either another bumper deal with Utd, or a huge contract with another European club or consistent Champions League team.

Nice sentiment, Andy, but I fear this is massively unlikely to come to fruition.

Paul Andrews
9 Posted 26/07/2013 at 15:31:55
Best player I have seen in an Everton shirt since Alan Ball.

It won't happen this year but, if he is not sold by Man Utd, he will have 12 months left on his contract... It could happen then.

I would carry him from Manchester on my back if he wanted to come back.

Dave Lynch
10 Posted 26/07/2013 at 15:28:27
You mentioned the magic words.

Wages and Agent. Will not happen but would love to see him back.
The lad is not bright unfortunately and doesnt have the accumen to shape his own future.

Derek Turner
11 Posted 26/07/2013 at 15:24:16
I would rather have the Straq back.

Rooney epitomises all the things I don't like about football. Disloyalty, gamesmanship, screaming abuse at referees, seedy off field activities, childish temper tantrums etc... This is the kind of guy that the red shite and the mancs employ, a la Rat Boy and Stevie Me.

That and the badge kissing. Sort of like our board, "love" the club, but hate the fans, cause we don't understand the real world, how things really work.

Maybe its romantic nonsense, but I thought we were different to the others, and when we smelled idiot we shipped them out as best we could, not back in.

Barry Rathbone
12 Posted 26/07/2013 at 15:51:34
I know it's all madness but "IF" Rooney was going through a philanthropic moment best he leaves it till january ,see how the new regime is going.

Only come if we're doing well he's not that clever in a crap side (see ingerlund).

Paul Ferry
13 Posted 26/07/2013 at 16:02:58
Now Derek (931) - 'I would rather have the Straq back' - stop being naughty and spouting porkies'.

Funnily enough Andy my mate runs a vineyard in Huyton.

Andy's letter strikes all the right notes and I would simply love to see Wayne back at The Old Lady while he is still class. But you know what I'm going to say next so I wont say it .......

Andrew Humphrey
14 Posted 26/07/2013 at 16:11:28
Actually, someone has done it before. Alan Shearer. Could have gone to Man Utd and didn't. He might be a legend in Newcastle but I wonder if he regrets the move. Rooney may well bear that in mind.
Chris Keightley
15 Posted 26/07/2013 at 16:20:46
How many players have left the club to then kiss the badge of his new team at the home of his old???

That sums it up for me: good player but shit Evertonian!!! Baby pics or not!!!

Mick Hoban
16 Posted 26/07/2013 at 17:04:12
Andy Osborne — what's the name of your restaurant?

I'm coming to Perth in December for The Ashes, me and another Blue. I want to try some of that wine too.

Cheers!

Tony J Williams
17 Posted 26/07/2013 at 17:16:06
I would have him back in a heartbeat, He has been a gobshite but he's a brilliant footballer. The same way I would take the biting racist from across the park. Great players but knobheads.
Anto Meehan
18 Posted 26/07/2013 at 17:17:38
Hi Andy,

I think you're missing a trick here, what's the name of the wine you're producing? I'd love to give it a go, at least I'd know it's made by someone passionate!!

Also like to know the name of your restaurant, heading to Perth in January to visit friends, one's a redshite so might be good to bring him to yours.

Paul Ferry
19 Posted 26/07/2013 at 17:18:28
Rooney no-brainer TJW but sewer-rat, never, never, never .....

I just couldn't, even though it makes total footie sense.

Ste Traverse
20 Posted 26/07/2013 at 17:29:33
Yet another 'get Rooney back' thread.

Talk about laughable.

What part of 'we have not got the money'' do these utterly delusional people not fucking understand????

Paul Andrews
21 Posted 26/07/2013 at 17:37:02
Ste Traverse
Would you swap him for Fellaini?
Ross Edwards
22 Posted 26/07/2013 at 17:36:31
Do you honestly think he would swap CL football and massive wages to return to us?

Mike Powell
23 Posted 26/07/2013 at 17:42:12
Rooney sold his soul to the devils... let him rot there.

Even if we could afford him, I wouldn't touch the rat with a barge pole.

Mike Green
24 Posted 26/07/2013 at 17:37:24
Andrew #938 - great point, well made.

I know there's a lot of debate about moving on from Moyes but can we please, please move on from Rooney?

He's not coming back, many don't even want him back and if he ever did want to come back it'd be when he's no longer any use to us.

He's been gone nearly a decade now, he's on the wane (boom boom), so close your eyes, take a deep breath...........and.........let it go.

Jeremy Benson
25 Posted 26/07/2013 at 17:51:16
I can think of about 50 players I'd rather have for the kind of money than Rooney. And if I had a few more minutes, I think I could probably come up with 100.

So for me, no. Sorry.

Ross Edwards
26 Posted 26/07/2013 at 17:54:26
5 minutes Jeremy, starting, now...
Jeremy Benson
27 Posted 26/07/2013 at 17:55:38
It's pretty easy though isn't it, Ross? There are dozens of £30 million players who eclipse him in my opinion. He's not even in the top 5 strikers in the Premier League for me (RvP, Suarez, Bale, Berbatov, Benteke, Michu, Aguero, Ba...). There's probably 20 £30 million+ players in the Premier League at any one time for a start.

Even bringing him into the Everton team, he wouldn't be the best player at the club (Baines...).

Darren Bent, who was available for £8M is a more prolific striker....It ain't difficult.

Ross Edwards
28 Posted 26/07/2013 at 18:01:51
Anyhow, I think Rooney is the most overrated player in world football. He may strike the hat tricks against WBA or Norwich but when it gets to Champions Leagues or World Cups, he is a massive let down.

In 2010 he was shocking in the World Cup. Utterly abysmal. He cannot take a game by the scruff of the neck like Messi, Neymar and Ronaldo can.

Let the likes of PSG or Monaco spend ridiculous sums to get him for about 2 years, but I think he has been rubbish for the last 3 seasons.

There are more talented, cheaper options lurking around in Holland or Spain that won't demand insanely huge wages.

John Brennan
29 Posted 26/07/2013 at 17:57:32
I just don't want him. I think he's past his best. Perhaps Mr Moyes had a point when he indicated Rooney would be behind RvP in their line-up (you know what I mean). I just think he hasnt really gone on and become the British Ronaldo or Messi. He seems to have progressed so far, and then plateaued.

Remember when Man Utd played Real Madrid in Spain, and Rooney hardly got a kick, and that was under Sir Alex. He seems to have a fitness problem, and it's difficult to see him managing 90 minutes on a regular basis.

No, no, and thrice no; let's look elsewhere.

COYB, Come on Roberto.

John Brennan
30 Posted 26/07/2013 at 18:13:09
ps: I also think Gascoigne was better than Rooney, but there's another one who threw away his talent.
Bradley Smith
32 Posted 26/07/2013 at 18:24:04
I'd have him back in a heartbeat. As a player, I think this whole thing of him being finished is way off the mark. This all stems from Fergie giving him payback from the transfer request 3 years ago, holding the club to ransom.

Remember, WR hasnt crated this situation this time; like then, this has been Manchester United dropping him in big games like the Madrid game where, if you ask me, if he had played instead of Nani Man Utd would've won that night.

This has been a hidden aganda on Fergie's behalf. Rooney's form has always been top draw but I think Man Utd want to get some cash back on him now and sign Gareth Bale. I don't think Rooney had any plans to leave.

On him coming back to my belovered Everton? I can't see this happenening for the simple fact money talks — that's the way life is for us all. Don't get me wrong: Everton is our passion for most reading this... but money means a lot more, simple as that. At this minute, he is coming into his peak years.

I think he could walk into the Barcelona team and play up front and score 40 goals a season no problem. Rooney made mistakes when he left us the way he handled things but, come on — I made mistakes when I was 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23... and I am sure a lot of you people did. The man is a human being and he bleeds blue but surely he couldnt pass on the oppurtunities getting put infront of him at this stage in life.

If it was my son, I would be telling him to stay at the top! I am not enjoying typing these words but the fact of the matter is, for the next 3 years, Wayne Rooney is out of our league — simple as that.

Shane Corcoran
33 Posted 26/07/2013 at 19:30:41
Jeremy, are you seriously listing Michu and Benteke as better forward players than Rooney?
Paul Ferry
34 Posted 26/07/2013 at 20:35:33
"Darren Bent, who was available for £8m is a more prolific striker."

I bet this is not true.

Matthew Williams
36 Posted 26/07/2013 at 20:16:18
Ref: #967

The club has always had the money, Ste, they just never spent it on the team. Some of our board are very wealthy people, who deal with other wealthy people in their own business circles. If the mood was to bring Rooney back in our boardroom, then the wheels would be in motion now.

We do have Felli, who the Mancs will want now badly. Now that Barca have blown them out, the dour one will need new faces, as the Man Utd fans usually crave. I for one think we need the lad back, we need to send a message of intent to the rest of football, no more fucking half-measures, no more second best.

We have to at least try! Otherwise it will be another 11 years of so close but no cigar, 18 years without a trophy is a disgrace for a club of our statue, so many false dawn's is draining every Blue, we need fresh hope now, we need to Believe again!!!

Andrew Ellams
37 Posted 26/07/2013 at 20:38:56
Shane, I would take Benteke over Rooney in a heart beat
Colin Wainwright
38 Posted 26/07/2013 at 20:44:54
Benteke? Michu? Fuckin' Straq?????

I'd have him back at Everton In half an hour. Great player — and, if he lets him go, Moyes's biggest mistake.

Jim Lloyd
39 Posted 26/07/2013 at 21:21:29
Good post Andy. It would be nice to see him back. His badge kissing was out of order but, to me, it was just the reaction of a kid, who was getting unmerciful stick from some sections of the crowd,

Whether he'd ever want to come back though is another matter. We'll have to wait and see if he goes up for transfer but I don't think he'll have to wait long before the money teams come in for him.

I'd go along with your dream, mate. It'd be great to see him back.

David Hallwood
40 Posted 26/07/2013 at 21:26:32
Yes, I'd have Rooney back in a heartbeat; no, it isn't going to happen.

What fans/supporters can't seem to grasp (the majority of them anyway) is that, once a player turns professional and this becomes his living, the supporter goes out of the window, and he becomes a gun for hire, so there's very little sentiment.

At the end of his career, Rooney may well get an executive box and become an Evertonian again – although Fowler, Rush or Carragher didn't. As it stands, Rooney will end up where they pay the most money and where he has the most prospects for Champions League football.

It's not just Rooney, there are examples everywhere: look at Lewis Holtby, mad Evertonian, who chose Spurs because there was more chance of CL football (whether we were in for him is another matter). The more cynical would say that footballers are all sluts flogging themselves to the highest bidder, but isn't that what we all do?

Shane Corcoran
41 Posted 26/07/2013 at 22:36:29
Well there you have it, opinions. Two people on the same thread that think Christian Benteke is a better player to have in your team than Wayne Rooney.

Does anyone remember Wayne Rooney who won Player of the Season, the season before last? When he was head and shoulders the best player in the Premier League?

Ross Edwards
42 Posted 26/07/2013 at 22:39:21
Shane, has he done anything in the Euros, the Champions League or the World Cup to shout about?

Don't think so. Scoring goals against the likes of Stoke is fine, but if he can't produce when the heat is on, he's basically useless.

As for Player of the Season, wasn't Kevin Phillips PL Player of the Season in 1999-2000? Does that make him world class?

Colin Wainwright
43 Posted 26/07/2013 at 22:52:50
Ross, fuck the Euros and World Cup. For the most part, he's been playing with idiots, for an idiot. As far as the Champions League and Premier League go, I think you'll find he has a few of them. Playing out of position too.
Ross Edwards
44 Posted 26/07/2013 at 22:56:49
Wes Brown has won these Colin:

Premier League (7): 1998–99, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11
FA Cup (2): 1998–99, 2003–04
Football League Cup (3): 2005–06, 2008–09, 2009–10
FA Community Shield (4): 2003, 2007, 2008, 2010
UEFA Champions League (2): 1998–99, 2007–08

He's not exactly top class is he?

Colin Wainwright
45 Posted 26/07/2013 at 23:00:54
What the fuck has a piss poor centre half got to do with Rooney? Stay off the Wiki Ross, it's clouding your judgement.
Ross Edwards
46 Posted 26/07/2013 at 23:04:38
Colin

You played the "As far as the Champions League and Premier league go, I think you'll find he has a few of them" card, so I've responded, just to show what a ridiculous argument it was.

Colin Wainwright
47 Posted 26/07/2013 at 23:10:29
Ross, if you can't see the differ....no, the inanity, of comparing Wes Brown to Rooney, simply because of their respective honours, I fuckin' despair. Can't be arsed checking, but I'm sure Alan Harper picked up a similar medal haul to Kevin Sheedy.

See where I'm comin' from?

Colin Wainwright
48 Posted 26/07/2013 at 23:16:02
And I liked Alan Harper, btw.
Ross Edwards
49 Posted 26/07/2013 at 23:16:42
It's ridiculous saying Rooney is world class because he's won a few PL's and CL titles Colin. If you wouldn't have said "As far as the Champions League and Premier league go, I think you'll find he has a few of them", we wouldn't be having this discussion .
Colin Wainwright
50 Posted 26/07/2013 at 23:19:01
Ross, I never said he was "world class". He is a fantastically talented player, one who, I wish we had never lost. To condense his career achievements to a few goals "against Stoke" is bullshit.

And you know it.

Ross Edwards
51 Posted 26/07/2013 at 23:25:08
I didn't condense his career. I'm saying that he is overrated as he hasn't delivered in the big games, yet people wax lyrical about him being one of the best players in the worldwhen he scores 15 or 20 goals, the majority against teams like Stoke and WBA.

He may have been top scorer in the PL, but so was Kevin Phillips, no one says he's world class.

Colin Wainwright
52 Posted 26/07/2013 at 23:30:46
Ross. How many goals did Kevin Phillips create? Did Kevin Phillips score 20 goals playing the majority of the season, at left wing? Why the fuck am I talking about Kevin Phillips?

If you can't see the qualities that Wayne Rooney brings to a side, I'm not going to explain it. You're either blind or Brendan Rogers. (joke).

Ste Traverse
53 Posted 27/07/2013 at 00:04:41
Paul Anderws.

Whether I'd swap him for Fellaini is imaterial.

Rooney is on £250,000 a week at United and is supposed to be wanting a new deal on at least the same money.

So how the hell are we supposed to compete with that? Do you really think he'd come here for around £75,000 a week which our top earner is currently on?

Iain Johnston
54 Posted 26/07/2013 at 23:55:11
It's getting like the Peoples Front of Judea on here! Southall, world class, Giggs, Beckham, Scholes, Lampard ditto. what did these players do at the World Cup and Euros? Big fat zero... but four of them have a shitload of medals...

Wayne Rooney, we love him or hate him, but me, I'd have any player who enhances our team and helps us become successful. Couldn't care less if they dance around the dressing room in suzzies and fishnets and think they're Madonna.

Mark Frere
55 Posted 27/07/2013 at 00:11:30
Ste Traverse

Well said, I think many people forget what wages mercenaries like Rooney are commanding. I for one, would be ashamed to have this piece of shit wearing an Everton shirt, playing for us again.

Alan Smith
56 Posted 27/07/2013 at 00:10:39
I reckon we could easy give him £100k a week, plus all or a high percentage, of the extra revenue he generates. I also like the idea of giving him shares in the club.

It's weather he'd want to be the heart and soul if the team he supported or another superstar in a soulless mercanery club like Chelsea. How much trophies and money do you need?

Would captaining Everton to a Champions League place be a bigger achievement than winning a trophy with Chelsea? We'd have a great chance of a cup with him in the side too.

I'd say yes. I'd also say he'd be a bigger hero at Everton than he could be anywhere else.

He must dream of wearing the Roayl Blue Number 9 shirt and scoring against against the RedShite in a derby.

Jim Lloyd
57 Posted 27/07/2013 at 00:14:04
I think the poster asked Wayne if he'd consider coming back to Everton. None of us know whether he would or he wouldn't. I certainly don't know if he'd ever consider coming back (although Howard Kendall reckons he might).

I'm not sure that it matters that much whether he's world class or not. But he's certainly one of the best English players in a generation. He also seems to make and score plenty of goals in the Premier League, so what does it matter if he's world class or not. He's certainly a far better player than the majority of English forwards.

He certainly wouldn't be coming here for the money either. If he ever comes back it's because he wants to. He'd walk into most teams and I just hope he says to himself "Stuff them, I'm off back to Everton, if they'll have me."

I'd love to see him back.

John Ford
58 Posted 27/07/2013 at 00:21:05
Hmm a Rooney return would be special, yeh, people change etc etc, mistakes made good and all that, building a legacy...yeh yeh all good stuff.........but really, a vineyard in Huyton!!
Alan Smith
59 Posted 27/07/2013 at 00:33:37
You can grow all kinds in Huyton.... There are plenty of exotic plants growing in people's lofts.

John you should grow a vineyard in back garden and Andy may come back to help you challenge for the European wine awards. If you can't afford him, just offer him image rights and percentage of your business.

Mark Frere
60 Posted 27/07/2013 at 00:35:19
Rooney went so far down in my estimation after his rant against the England fans in the World Cup game against Algeria. The England fans were booing the players off the pitch after a dismal display from Rooney and Co. Rooney had the audacity to have a pop at the England fans after performing like a complete twat himself. He didn't take into consideration the fans had spent a fortune of their hard-earned cash going to support their Country in South Africa.

He is a arrogant, greedy, Shrek-ugly little piece of shit IMO. WTF was all that with the hair growth operation? Doesn't he know you can't polish a turd!

Alan Smith
61 Posted 27/07/2013 at 00:49:45
He'd improve our team though, wouldn't he?
Mark Frere
62 Posted 27/07/2013 at 00:56:39
So would Suarez, Alan. I still wouldn't want him at Everton. I'm not saying Rooney is quite as bad as the sewer rat though.
Derek Thomas
63 Posted 27/07/2013 at 01:24:16
It would be good IF but it all depends if Rooney is for it in his head, he may have grown up a bit, he may even realise he has X Millions and just how much more does he really need.

The answer to that is probably 2 x X Millions, as much usually wants more.

So for that reason He's out.

Also, a decent marketing team could put together a viable plan if the will was there on Mr Rooneys side....so for that reason the Blues are out as well

Paul Ferry
64 Posted 27/07/2013 at 02:17:12
Colin Wainwright (76)
And I liked Alan Harper, btw.

Once saw him puking up in the Weld Blundell car park on the Formby Bypass, Col... not the prettiest sight in the world: he looked up at me, wrecked, puke all over his double-breasted jacket.

He scored the next Saturday.

Robbie Shields
65 Posted 27/07/2013 at 02:39:42
Firstly, I'd like to say that I'm pretty sure I've been to Andy's Vineyard and Restaurant a couple of years ago with my mate Grayson, when Andy had only just opened the place up. After a little chat with him I found out he was a blue, as was his dad who was there enjoying a family meal and ended up spending the rest of the night eating great food, drinking great wine and talking Everton :) Andy even gave me a bottle of his speciality Sparkling Shiraz to take back to Brisbane with me for my wife.

Any blues in or around the Perth area should make the effort to get out there to have some fantastic food and taste some beautiful wines, plus you get to support a fellow blue.

Now, as far as the Rooney letter goes....... I couldn't agree more. It's something I have always said that Rooney should do. He turned the love of playing football into a day job the moment he signed for United and you could see the passion and love wasn't there anymore. I personally believe Rooney would have been destroyed by Moyes at Everton and that Moyes' training methods, style of play and mentality to the game were so different to Rooney's that he couldn't wait to get out, remember he even wanted to go to Newcastle before United came in for him. It's no surprise to me that as soon as OFM went to United the rumors of Rooney wanting to leave got greater. Rooney is a footballing genius, like Gascoigne, he'd have seen straight through Moyes very very early on and thought, fook this for a game of soldiers, I wanna play football not hoofball, I'm off.

The way I see it is there are 2 BIG barriers to this happening, none of which funnily enough are financial. The first is, that the Everton Board just simply haven't got the will or vision to even try to do anything about this opportunity never mind pull it off. As Andy stated, there are lots of ways a financial package could be created to tempt Rooney back, £100K a week, shares in the club, images rights, percentage of Rooney shirts sold, percentage of increased ticket sales and increased matches shown live etc. etc. it COULD be done. The benefit to Everton would be a HUGE rise in world wide coverage and attention, like when Shearer went to Newcastle (Oh for a visionary like Sir John Hall at Everton aye). IF Kenwright DID want to sell the mighty blues then he couldn't wish for a better marketing exercise, world wide coverage overnight and the profile of the club sky rocketing.

So, if for one moment we agree that a deal COULD be done IF we had the vision, will and strategy to make it happen, then what about Rooney himself??? This is the second barrier that would need to be overcome. Is Rooney intelligent enough to see beyond mere money and trophies? Would he rather have a team built around HIM by a coach who gets the beautiful game in Martinez or does he want to be simply a cog in a no mark club in London?

Does he want to have his name etched in Everton's history like Dean, Lawton and Young, revered as the best born Evertonian that was lucky enough to play for the mighty blues? The prodigal son that said "I want to do something for the club me and my family have supported all our lives, I want to make a positive contribution to Everton and its special history in the world of football, lead us back to the pinnacle of the English game and prove I am the best striker this country has produced since Dixie Dean and lead Everton into the Champions League for the first time in our history........" Or, does he want go to Chelsea???

I know what I'd be doing in his position and I'm sure almost every blue throughout the world believes they'd do the same, so does Rooney see the bigger picture and does he still truly love the mighty blues or, does he just love himself?

David Stewart
66 Posted 27/07/2013 at 04:14:43
Andy,

What’s the name of your restaurant and where is it?

There’s quite a few of us Bluenoses over here in Perth so if Rooney won’t come to Goodison Park, at least we can come to your restaurant.

Jim Potter
67 Posted 27/07/2013 at 07:53:45
Will he come back - no.

Would I have him back - instantly..

A nice heartfelt article Andy.

Roonet stirs the emotions both ways for different fans. I'd like the prodigal son to return - but Mr Stretford et al will not allow their cash cow to follow his heart - just his (their) wallet.

Nick Wall
68 Posted 27/07/2013 at 07:53:15
Nice idea, it would be the most exciting thing to happen to the club for many years, but I just can't see Rooney returning. One major reason is that he would be seriously out of pocket - "Rooney is the third highest-paid footballer in the world after Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, with an annual income of €20.7 million (£18 million) including sponsorship deals".

The claims that he is overrated are laughable. His record speaks for itself. Over 150 Premier League goals - the 6th highest in history - at the age of 27. A strike rate the same as Ronaldo, and only slightly behind Drogba and Van Persie. He's the 5th highest goalscorer of all time for the England national team, with every chance of making it to number one.

It's not just his goals. He's also had the 5th most assists in Premier League history. He was PFA Players' Player of the Year in 2010, and has won the player of the month award 5 times. And he's been consistently one of Man United's hottest assets in a decade when they've been winning trophy after trophy. So yes, I do think he'd come in handy.

Andy Osborne
69 Posted 27/07/2013 at 08:47:12
My winery is Darlington Estate, I didn't post the letter as a marketing exercise, but if you are a blue in Perth, you are more than welcome to pay us a visit. I always like talking about Everton!

Regarding the open letter to Rooney, I know it won't happen, but I can dream. Imagine if it did happen, and the current owners gave him a percentage of the club as part of the deal, the value of the club would immediately go up, and would mean the current owners shares would probably be worth more than they are now. A good deal all round, I think.

Oliver Molloy
70 Posted 27/07/2013 at 09:11:12
I would love to promote B. Springsteen . I wonder if I wrote to him and asked him to play for an hour in my garden so we could raise a few pound to help my beloved Everton out? If he agreed then it would be a start !....Nah... but if BK wrote to him!
Shane Corcoran
71 Posted 27/07/2013 at 09:31:52
Ross, you should stay away from the statistics.

I watched Rooney, like I assume you did, the season before last and he was world class. He's not as good as Rooney or as lethal as Ronaldo but his all round game is magnificent. He was head and shoulders above every one in the league and there were a hell of lot of better players than some of the names listed.

There's obviously been a break down in his relationship with Man Utd that has affected his form, no doubt. But in the right environment he is undoubtedly world class – regardless of what your opinion might be of him.

John Ford
72 Posted 27/07/2013 at 10:22:47
I'd hate him to come back at the end of his career. A patronising nod, big smiles to be back 'home' and some great back page headlines .....which would ultimately just confirm our relatively lowly status. No thanks.

It's now or never.........which unfortunately means never.

Come on Wayne, be a legend.

Barry Rathbone
73 Posted 27/07/2013 at 10:16:37
Shane, couldn't disagree more Rooney has never been world class.

A good player but bulled up beyond belief because he's english, his game is short bursts of power and aggression coupled with excellent football intelligence suited to the english mistake ridden game. He is suited to a team like Utd where the work is done by others and he can find space aplenty to finish things off.

Watch him wandering around conserving energy it stands out like a sore thumb on the international stage because England are abysmal and don't dominate the way Utd do in our league.

Good player in these islands but never world class.

Paul Andrews
76 Posted 27/07/2013 at 11:12:41
Barry Rathbone,

Rooney has never been world class?

You are joking?

Shane Corcoran
77 Posted 27/07/2013 at 11:30:29
Barry, I'm not one for getting caught up in the hype of the Premier League. But the other trap to fall into is to not recognise class despite the hype. Wipe away this hype and Rooney is world class in my opinion.

Forget last season. The season before everyone spoke about how he had added a great ability to head a goal to his list of abilities. His long-range passing is the best since Beckham for an English player. His long range shooting was brilliant and he always had the work rate.

Whether or not his game suited the weaknesses in the English game is nothing to do with his ability. Ironically I think it's the negative hype surrounding him since RvP arrived that has developed this opinion in so many.

Barry Rathbone
78 Posted 27/07/2013 at 11:33:24
Paul, where would you play him?

As a number 10 Messi is better - at centre forward Falcao wipes the floor with him to name but two.

Eugene Ruane
79 Posted 27/07/2013 at 11:13:48
Wayne Rooney is world class.

He is the best footballer (I choose that word carefully) in Britain.

If he stays at Utd for another 5 years and gets an average of 11 goals a season, he will become their top goal scorer of all time (imo he could easily do it in 3 seasons)

Another 13 (or 14) goals for England and he becomes their top goal scorer - ever.

And this not from 'a Lineker' type, but from a player who week in, week out, plays other players in, drops deep to pick up the ball and passes the ball superbly.

I couldn't give a fuck what t-shirt he wore when he was 15 or that he kissed Utd's badge (because 30,000 people were chanting "You're just a fat little nob-head" at him).

If there was ANY chance (nb: and of course there isn't) of him returning to Everton now, I would wear a nymph's outfit and fling rose petals along Priory Rd to welcome him.

David Donnellan
80 Posted 27/07/2013 at 11:05:17
The badge-kissing grates on me but, like others have said, he made mistakes, which are not beyond redemption. One moment I did like of his man Utd career was when he scored against the Shite & ran up to the Kop to celebrate, cue angry tourists & various missiles!

I do think he isn't the player he once was, he could still do a job for us though! I did love the way he played when he played for us, full of youthful enthusiasm & with no fear, it was a joy to watch.

Can't see him returning right now though in all honesty, I do think money is king to him & that will influence & determine his next career move.

Dave Brierley
81 Posted 27/07/2013 at 12:00:52
Ditto Eugene #158 (which is a first for me). And that nymph's outfit!!!! To see that may be even better than seeing Wayne back at Goodison.
Paul Andrews
82 Posted 27/07/2013 at 12:29:53
Barry,

"Wayne Rooney has never been world class"

The best English footballer since Paul Gascoigne.
The best Everton player since Alan Ball.

Have a look at the tapes from Euro 2004.
Rooney was 18 years of age.
Then come back on and tell me he has never been world class

Mark Frere
83 Posted 27/07/2013 at 12:41:07
Paul Andrews

Don't try and bring Paul Gascoigne into to your argument. I tried suggesting to Barry the other night that Gazza was world class at his peak. Guess what, Barry doesn't think so. According to Barry the last world class player England had was - Glenn Hoddle....erm.... yeah Hoddle was great when playing for England, wasn't he?

Kev Johnson
84 Posted 27/07/2013 at 12:57:48
Gazza was world class in an England shirt, Rooney isn't - except when he was a teenage Evertonian. But that's hardly the acid test, since Messi doesn't pull up any trees when he turns out for Argentina, and I think we can probably all agree that he's world class!
Barry Rathbone
86 Posted 27/07/2013 at 15:04:59
All a matter of opinion but if "world class" means picking a world 11 where would you pick him?

Good player but would he make a world 11 midfield or forward line?

He's struggling to get in the Utd side.

Barry Rathbone
87 Posted 27/07/2013 at 15:13:02
Gazza was over-rated
Paul Andrews
88 Posted 27/07/2013 at 15:30:07
Barry,

Your definitely on the wind up

Steve Brown
89 Posted 27/07/2013 at 15:42:36
Dead right, Kev 167.

When did Rooney last turn up at a major tournament for England?

Euro 2004 as an Everton player.

Barry Rathbone
91 Posted 27/07/2013 at 15:55:17
Nah Paul just opinion, I suspect I'm on a loser on this one but I like to think of myself as a grown up in these matters......

However, I am opening a Terry's Chocolate Orange here and if ya reckon you're getting a piece, you can think again!! So there!!

Harrumph!

Paul Andrews
92 Posted 27/07/2013 at 17:01:04
That's ok Barry.
Don't get your snickers in a twist
Ste Traverse
93 Posted 27/07/2013 at 16:54:25
Why are people banging on about a return for a player who is courting a move to Chelsea if he leaves the Mancs?

He's not interested in coming here. Nor do we have the money anyway.

Barry Rathbone
94 Posted 27/07/2013 at 18:00:18
Paul, touche!
John Daley
95 Posted 27/07/2013 at 19:19:59
There's more chance of Michael Crawfords Condorman joining the fucking Avengers but, for arguments sake:


"Scoring goals against the likes of Stoke is fine, but if he can't produce when the heat is on, he's basically useless"

" .... he is overrated as he hasn't delivered in the big games"

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2277504/Wayne-Rooney-big-game-player--Champions-League-record-proves-it.html


"Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney is the ultimate Champions League knockout king, having scored the highest percentage of elite club competition goals at the business end of the tournament.

The 27-year-old has scored 14 of his 27 goals after the group stage, which represents an unrivalled 52 per cent of strikes in the last-16 and beyond."

Ross Edwards
96 Posted 27/07/2013 at 19:24:42
That is from the Daily Mail John, which already renders your argument to be useless.
Raymond Fox
97 Posted 27/07/2013 at 20:39:54
What Eugene 158 said! Some eye opening stats there.

Plus Rooney gives 100% in defence, must have saved utd loads of goals with his tracking back/workrate.
How many more goals would he have scored if he saved himself just for the goalscoring!
Has Messi ever tackled anyone?

Gareth Fieldstead
98 Posted 27/07/2013 at 23:59:04
What if he decided to throw another strop, couldn't be bothered 'carrying the team' felt he should be seeing out his career with a 'bigger' club? Stubs and Ferguson still on hand to undermine the manager and 'advise' Wayne what he should do. Thanks but no thanks, he has won everything at Utd, playing in front of 75 thousand every home game and is the top wage earner yet he was still prepared to leave them for the second biggest mercenary club in England. I Also don't want to see a return in his mid 30s giving us a patronizing swan song and final payday when he is even more useless than he is now. I can just imagine Bill getting all teary eyed with the return of the prodigal son like it was some sort of coup a la Gascoigne, finally no bloody free tickets to our games, he can pay like everyone else.
Robbie Shields
100 Posted 28/07/2013 at 23:09:25
Dave Stewart, Anton Meehan, Mick Hoban and any other blues in or around the Perth area, Andy's place is called 'Darlington Estate Winery'. I'm guessing Andy is reluctant to advertise it on here because it would detract from his heart felt post, I on the other hand have no such conflicts of interest or moral dilemmas to wrestle with :)

http://www.darlingtonestate.com.au/

Any other blues lucky enough to be going on holiday or to work in Perth should definitely check it out,,great food, wine and company.

Drew O'Neall
101 Posted 31/07/2013 at 14:11:01
A world class striker would be the final piece of the jigsaw in my opinnion to make us in to title contenders.

Rooney would be the ultimate final piece of the jigsaw and would instantly become part of Everton folklore up there with Dixie Dean.

Very few players have the opportunity to become a true legend at any club - this is an opportunity that Mr. Rooney should grab with both hands and make happen.

Drew O'Neall
102 Posted 31/07/2013 at 14:23:13
..Long before Wayne Rooney became a professional footballer and long after he has retired he was and will be an Everton supporter.

He may never see Everton lift another trophy in his lifetime.


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