Latest news with #Ex-Everton
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Move to Hill Dickinson Stadium tipped to be a fresh start for 'top-six' Everton
Everton's move to Hill Dickinson Stadium is a 'fresh start' for the club and can help revive their fortunes. That's the verdict of a former Premier League star who loved his time with the Blues despite injuries curtailing his time on Merseyside. After 133 years at Goodison Park, David Moyes' men signed off from their home since 1892 with a 2-0 win over Southampton on May 18. Although there were 16 occasions that Goodison attracted crowds of over 70,000 for Everton games, including a record 78,299 crowd for a Merseyside Derby against Liverpool on September 18, 1948, the Blues have only ever enjoyed an average gate of over 50,000 once (51,603 for the 1962/63 title-winning season) and have not had a crowd of over 50,000 for a home match since 53,323 watched the League Cup quarter-final against Liverpool on January 21, 1987. With a capacity of 52,769, though, such numbers are now set to become a new normal for Everton on the Mersey waterfront. And Terry Phelan, who played for the club under Joe Royle, Howard Kendall and Walter Smith is excited by the prospect. The 58-year-old told the ECHO: 'They've been fighting relegation year in, year out. We don't want to see that. READ MORE: Ex-Everton chief makes James McAtee transfer claim as Juan Roman Riquelme memories evoked READ MORE: Leeds United hit with shock suspension news for Everton Premier League opener 'Everton is a massive club. Let's stamp that up there. 'It's a top-six club. I don't care what anyone says, they might think I'm a bit mad, but I believe that, and this is something new for those Everton fans, a fresh start and forward-thinking. 'Going to the new stadium can only help. The players, the manager and all the staff will be up for it. 'I'm not just going on about the first-team staff, I'm talking about the nucleus of the Evertonian family, whether they're young, middle aged or old. The first game is going to be an absolutely fantastic day for them and hopefully they win.' Phelan, who was speaking courtesy of Betsson Premier league odds, added: 'It's new surroundings. It's a new environment for everybody, from the players to all of the different backroom staff and club employees. 'I know they've built it to keep the design intimate, but it's not going to be like Goodison Park where it is tight and compact. I think it's what Everton needs, as a whole, as a community. 'I think it's absolutely fantastic and with it being on the waterfront, it's placed in the right area. The new owners keeping Goodison Park on (for the women's team) is another iconic thing in itself. 'Everybody is looking forwards to the start of the new season and the first home game. It's going to be a full house and the Evertonians will make it as loud as anything. 'I just hope they can get a European spot and do well in the domestic cups. It's about time and I think David Moyes is the right man to bring that to them. 'I think with the move to the new stadium, it will be a big push now for Everton and I think Moyesy will get it together. I always look out for their results and try and watch all my old teams whenever I can. 'I've got fond memories of Everton. It was unfortunate that I got an injury, and it didn't sort itself out as well as it should have but it was always a pleasure to play for Everton and those Evertonians.' Although injuries restricted the Salford-born player to just 28 outings for Everton across four seasons with the club, it was the passion of Blues supporters that always inspired Phelan who in 1988 was an FA Cup winner with Wimbledon against neighbours Liverpool, following their shock 1-0 victory to deny Kenny Dalglish's Reds a domestic double. He said: 'The fans were always brilliant. Listen, playing at Goodison Park back in the day, I played against your Reidys, your Bracewells, your Mountfields, your Southalls, your Ratcliffes, Adrian Heath, I played against them all. 'Going to Goodison Park, I always thought it was one of the hardest places to win a football game. Not because of the players, because of the fans, they were like the 12th man. 'They're great fans, so passionate. Die-hard Blues. 'When I got the chance to go there, I was never going to turn it down. I could have stayed at Chelsea but I said: 'No, let me go, let me play football.' 'I picked up an injury and it lasted a couple of months and there were other bits and bobs. But to play for that football club and be part of that football club was absolutely brilliant, and I cherish it with honour.' The former Republic of Ireland international has spent the past decade in India, working first as technical director at Kerala Blasters youth team before taking up a similar post with South United in the city of Bangalore. Phelan quips that it was fate that brought him there and said: 'It's a wonderful country. My family is from a place called Tubbercurry in Sligo, and like every mum of my era, my mum loved making curries, and I landed in India – I was blessed to come here. 'I've been here for 10 years now. My dream is to get a couple of players out and get them into Europe, show them what Europe is all about and not being afraid of Europe. 'They need the mentality of: 'If we're going to be world-class players, we need to do it this way'. If I was to show you what we've got here, you'd be amazed as we've got an 11 v 11 field, a six v six field, a top gymnasium, an operations room and coaches' room plus a state-of-the-art coffee bar and now we're building a fully-fledged residential, right in the heart of Bangalore. 'The private sector is growing here and they're building a lot of full-size pitches. The game is growing at the grassroots level, it's really taking off but at the top level, we're struggling a little bit. 'The ISL, the top league in India, we don't know if it's going to go ahead, which could be a big dampener. Then we've got I-League 1, I-League 2, I-League 3 and the state tournaments and leagues, so everything is fantastic, and it's getting there, but we need to find different verticals and different pathways. 'We've got that now for the children and at our place, we start with the tots, and there is a pathway all the way up to the first team. However, we need more alignment from the top with the federation to trickle down. 'Our national team needs to do well. The women are doing absolutely fantastic, but the men's national team has to do better, as we all know that if they do better, then that gives everyone a big push. 'England have just beaten India in the cricket, and we've got a big cricket academy here, so they're on a bit of a downer at the minute and I've got to be careful what I say. But when it comes to the football, we're growing as a whole.'
Wales Online
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Wrexham sent transfer message as former Man Utd star nears Premier League exit
Wrexham sent transfer message as former Man Utd star nears Premier League exit A veteran Premier League player is set to be available on a free transfer when his contract expires at the end of June, with Wrexham being backed to make a move for him Signing Ashley Young would be a big statement by Ryan Reynolds and Wrexham (Image: Getty Images ) Premier League winner Ashley Young has been tipped for a sensational move to Wrexham as he approaches the twilight of his career. The 39-year-old, whose contract with Everton is set to expire at the end of June, has made it clear that retirement isn't on his agenda just yet. The full-back has an impressive track record, including stints at Watford, Aston Villa, Manchester United, and Inter Milan, not to mention his 39 caps for England. Young has amassed 485 Premier League appearances since his debut in 2006 and celebrated winning the league with United in 2013. Now, as he ponders his future, it's been suggested he should take a step down to the Championship with newly-promoted Wrexham. Ex-Everton winger Pat Nevin has put forward the idea, commending Young's remarkable fitness and suggesting he'd be an ideal fit for Wrexham, owned by Hollywood duo Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. Speaking to Spin Genie, Nevin said: "Ashley Young is so weird. There is no way he should be so fit at the age of 39. If you're a sitting midfielder or number 10 who is waltzing about, it may be understandable, but he's a full-back bombing up and down the wing which is staggering. "He does, however, happen to be human, so it's inevitable he will drop off at some point. If he takes a step down, it needs to be for a project and Wrexham is one hell of a project. From my point of view, I would encourage it. I think it would be a really good thing for him to do. Article continues below Ashley Young is set to leave Everton at the end of June and has been encouraged to join Wrexham (Image: Getty ) Watch Welcome to Wrexham season 4 on Disney+ This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more from £4.99 Disney+ Get Disney+ here Product Description Welcome to Wrexham is back on Disney+ for a fourth season. Fans can watch the series with a £4.99 monthly plan, or get 12 months for the price of 10 by paying for a year upfront. "I dropped down a division later on in my career and it was possibly the happiest I ever was whilst playing. My advice would be that his next move won't be to Real Madrid, so he needs to do something he enjoys and ignore anyone who says, 'Oh, it's a step down.' "He would offer so much experience and leadership to that team. Who else has achieved what he has at Wrexham? It would all rub off on his teammates and be a win-win for both parties. Even if he got injured, he will add something massive off the field." Nevin added: "I love what Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have done at Wrexham. I've got time for anyone who can pick a club up and invest money to bring them back up the leagues. It might be annoying for the teams playing against them but that's what happens at every level of football." Wrexham have been linked with a string of Premier League stars after securing promotion from League One in April. Leicester hero Jamie Vardy and Fulham captain Tom Cairney are two of the biggest names connected with a move to the Racecourse Ground, along with West Ham duo Danny Ings and Aaron Cresswell. Sign up to our newsletter! Wrexham is the Game is great new way to get top-class coverage Wrexham AFC is the arguably the fastest-growing club in the world at the moment thanks to a certain Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. The Dragons have achieved two consecutive promotions and are cheered on by crowds from not only North Wales but also from all over the globe, thanks to the success of the Disney+ documentary 'Welcome to Wrexham'. But does it have a dedicated, quality source of information piped through to your inbox each week, free of ads but packed with informed opinion, analysis and even a little bit of fun each week? That's where Wrexham is the Game steps in... Available every Wednesday, it provides all the insights you need to be a top red. And for a limited time, a subscription to 'Wrexham is the Game' will cost fans just £15 for the first year. Sign up for Wrexham is the Game here Deadpool star Reynolds has given a thumbs up to Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson in terms of financial support for squad improvements this season, although he voiced the need to keep finances in check. Speaking on the RobRyanRed podcast, Reynolds said: "We're coming to win. I can't give you a dollar figure, but I can tell you that we are going to be as aggressive as we can possibly be while being mindful of sustainability. We have a stadium to revamp, but will still maintain its character and culture." Article continues below Even as they pick up the tab, McElhenney admits that he and Reynolds usually get wind of new signings quite late in the game. "I start hearing the names out there on social media or whatever, but we don't really know any of that until Phil tells us," he said. "By that point, it's already essentially happened."
Scottish Sun
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
‘He battered me' – Ex-Everton hardman Duncan Ferguson reveals current England star beat him up in training fight
Former manager wanted the player to quit a big hobby ONE TO FERG-ET 'He battered me' – Ex-Everton hardman Duncan Ferguson reveals current England star beat him up in training fight DUNCAN FERGUSON has revealed he was "battered" in a training fight by a current England player. The former striker built a hardman image during his career and it is a reputation he is still known for. Advertisement 3 Duncan Ferguson challenged one of his players to a boxing fight Credit: Reuters 3 Anthony Gordon got the better of the ex-Everton boss Credit: Getty 3 Ferguson handed Gordon his Everton debut while in interim charge Credit: Getty Ferguson has previously fought off intruders in his own home and picked up nine red cards, often for thuggery, but one England star got the better of him. The Scot fought Anthony Gordon in a boxing match while the pair were at Everton. Ferguson was a big admirer of the youngster and handed Gordon his Everton debut while interim manager, but he wanted to teach the winger a lesson to persuade him to quit sparring - one of his big hobbies. But after donning the gloves to take on Gordon, Ferguson was taught a lesson of his own - not to challenge the quick and nimble winger. Advertisement READ MORE IN FOOTBALL MIC DROP Michael Carrick lands new job after Middlesbrough axe as John O'Shea joins him Ferguson revealed the incident in his book, Big Dunc: The Upfront Autobiography. He said: "I made sure Gordon got his debut at Limassol, I then gave Anthony his second game against Leicester,' Ferguson wrote. "I loved his appetite to improve, he wanted to learn and practice, practice, practice. "He was as fit as a fiddle and took diet seriously but was still going to different boxing gyms and sparring. 'You have to stop,' I told Anthony, "You can't go to them, you'll get hurt". Advertisement BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS "He battered me once in the Finch Farm gym. I had a pair of boxing gloves on, he didn't. And I didn't do it again. "Anthony's a bright lad, knows what he wants and is dedicated and lightning quick."
Scottish Sun
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Sky Sports forced to apologise after Premier League legend's live TV interview as fans gasp ‘they really left that in?'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SKY SPORTS has been forced to apologise after accidentally broadcasting a foul-mouthed segment featuring a Premier League legend. Ex-Everton and Man City star Peter Reid was being interviewed as part of a farewell to Goodison Park. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Sky Sports News had to apologise after a foul-mouthed interview accidentally went out live on air 3 Peter Reid dropped the F-bomb during a programme to celebrate Goodison Park Credit: Getty 3 Reid got overexcited as he remembered James Tarkowski's stunning equaliser for Everton against Liverpool in February Credit: Getty Reid's time with the club in the early 80s transformed him into a dedicated Everton supporter. And he was asked to give his thoughts on February's dramatic 2-2 derby day draw with Liverpool. Sky were left red-faced after the Prem legend turned the air blue speaking about James Tarkowski's dramatic 98th-minute leveller in the clash. Discussing the lengthy VAR review on the goal, Reid said: "Someone said to me, you had two celebrations. "You had one celebration [after the goal] and four minutes later another celebration. "I said yeah, but what about the three f***ing heart attacks I had in between?" The interview went out on Sky Sports News at 11.30am with no bleep across Reid's swearing. Moments later, a ticker along the screen read: "We apologise for any bad language broadcast." BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Fans were quick to pick up on the slip, with one writing on X: "Watching this Goodbye Goodison on SSN, they really left in Peter Reid swearing!!!" Another laughed: "Peter Reid dropping the F bomb on Sky Sports News and it being left in!" What James Tarkowski did at full-time spotted after avoiding red card for horror lunge in Liverpool vs Everton clash A third joked: "I think somebody forgot to edit the Goodbye Goodison programme airing now nice to see Peter Reid effing and blinding at 1120am." While a fourth commented: "Did Peter Reid just say f*** before midday on tv?!" Reid was a Liverpool supporter growing up before switching his allegiance to the blue half of Merseyside. The 68-year-old began his playing career with Bolton, before moving to Goodison in 1982. He played seven seasons for the Toffees, scoring 13 goals across 234 games and clinching two league titles as well as the FA Cup in 1984. Reid went into management after hanging up his boots in 1995. He spent seven years as Sunderland boss, twice leading them to Premier League promotion. Reid also took charge of Leeds, Coventry and Plymouth, with his last managerial role at Indian's Mumbai City in 2014.
