After the FA Cup away day win at Plymouth,3-1 and the debut of new signing James Beattie everything in the garden looked rosy down Goodison way. Then came the shattering news that another one of our key players has gone through the Goodison Park exit door.
Thomas Gravesen has left Merseyside for the Spanish giants Real Madrid and we can't grumble with that. Had he joined one of our fellow Premiership teams then we would have had cause to moan but we must let him go and try new things with one of the biggest teams in world football, best wishes Thomas, we will see you in the Champions League Final or at the very least a friendly match at Goodison!
Also gone is a man we owe so much to from his early days at Everton were his goals were so important to Everton in their fight for survival. A man who came on loan then made his move permanent, Kevin Campbell.
Kevin came to Goodison from Nottingham Forest on loan and saved the club from relegation with nine goals so pleased with his efforts,then Manager Walter Smith signed him on a 5 year deal.
One of Kevin's many high points during his time at Goodison was scoring the winner v Liverpool at Anfield in Sept 99. Kevin has now moved on to West Brom were I am sure all Evertonians would wish him well,except in our battles and I am sure he will always be welcomed back at Goodison!
Without Kevin and Thomas,the Blues had to travel for a very tricky match with Middlesbrough away on Sunday and it was always going to be interesting to see how they coped.
After going a goal behind you would be forgiven in thinking,oh no here we go again but this team has a great team
spirit at this present time and they fought back to level the match with a goal from Tim Cahill. A lovely header back from super sub big Dunc and Tim was there to knock the ball home from close range. This was not to be the only time Big Dunc was to be involved ! He made an honest challenge for the ball when Mark dropped it and then all hell broke loose ! All outfield players too part in what could only be described as......a bit of pushing and pulling! I cannot see how anyone can call it a brawl no punches were thrown or at least I did not see any! Anyhow the FA have seen fit to charge both clubs with failing to control their players during this so called brawl!
We all know that when David Moyes took over at Goodison Park he said that Everton were the club of the people, how true this is!
One of my best mates has lost his Dad this week after a long battle against cancer.John is a great guy and loves telling me how well Everton are doing and maybe Mr Moyes will end up at his old stomping ground, Parkhead one day after O'Neill parts company with our beloved Celtic!
John and his family have lost a Father and a Husband they are going through a very hard time at the moment and they are surrounded with people who love and care for them and this extends to Merseyside! The bond we have between Glasgow and Liverpool will hopefully never be broken. My friends in Liverpool knew that I am coming down for the Manchester United match in April but when John mentioned he would also like to come down the guys have made sure that we have places to stay etc. It just goes to show how nice people from Liverpool really are!
Boris Johnston-you really did not know what you are talking about, you tosser! Both John and myself both appreciate everything you are doing for us and as I said to him a Friend is for Life not just for Christmas!