Sean graham on the Samba boys

Last updated : 02 July 2002 By Sean Graham

Well the Samba Boys did it again. Brilliant Brazil lifted the World Cup thanks to two goals from Ronaldo. This man was bang in form in this tournament scoring eight goals to land the Golden Boot and this double landed me and my Uncle Tommy a few quid into the bargin. Good old Brazil cheers !

Now to matters at Goodison. It is reported that David Weir is set to sign a new three year deal with the club. This is great news as David has been great since his move from Hearts and has been Mr Dependable this season. This is a great boost to the club especially with Manchester United sniffing around !

The club is still trying to do business on the transfer front but no luck as of yet. It seems that David Moyes has looked at at least ten players but with a limited budget his hands are tied behind his back at the moment. David knows the fans understand the situation. He may only have five million to spend and that is how much Derby want for Mart Poom !

This is the kind of problem the manager faces with the new season just around the corner. He may want to bring in the likes of McBride, Poom and Breen but he may only have the money to bring in one of those names and his priority seems to be a goalkeeper. (I'll sign for a reasonable fee David, just enough money to keep the family and all the programmes and new strips that are coming out for the new season - I am not a greedy man…and a Tracksuit, the one my Mum bought me is already worn out!) I have the feeling that David will bring in a few new faces but he may have to wheel and Deal to get the players that he wants but hopefully he will get his targets without using our star players. Aston Villa are on the lookout for Thomas Gravesen again and he is one player we don't want to lose ! The only thing is can the club afford to turn down between four and five million pounds????

I think the boss knows players from the first division - maybe from his old club Preston? And he could be ready to discuss this over a Fish Supper and a Can of Irn Brew with Craig Brown. Maybe the paper in which the fish supper will be wrapped in will give us the back page headlines we crave “Blues sign Ronaldo…. but only as back up to Big Dunc! We can but dream and have a laugh or two.

As the players report back for training and the management staff get back on to the Training ground one of the old Dogs of War will be missing from Goodison Park, And that is John Ebbrell. John was not everyone's cup of tea but I liked him and his commitment to the jersey was 100%. He was one of my favorite players at Everton during Joe Royle's time managing the club and I thought he fought for the cause well. He had to retire from the game through injury and had a Scouting position with the club. He leaves the club as they look to go into their 100th year in top flight football I and the club wish him all the best for the Future and thank him for all his blood, sweat and tears during his time at Goodison Park.

The rumour mill has it that the club will release three new strips with a special design for the club's 100th year in the top flight. We are led to believe that the strips will be blue, white and black with a special silluette of Dixie Dean and a special 100 years message on the badge cannot wait for these new strips to be unveiled but I just wonder how much they will be and will they class one of the jerseys as a one-off or a must have never to be repeated again or collectors item one, we shall wait and see. They should be unveiled sometime later this month can't wait…Tracey says Oh no not another top! Are you not getting a bit old for this? NEVER! Where can I get a loan? Or will I have to rely on Mark Johnston again for my spending money?

Other bits of news are that Alex Nayako says it was a mistake coming to Everton in the first place and he and his family were not accepted in England because he is a black man married to a White woman hope this was not the case I hate to think we are going down racism road again the club can do without this sort of thing. He is off to PSG on loan with the hope of a permanent move, I wish him and his family all the best for the future.

The other thing was whilst at the works summer shindig, I was talking to another Evertonian, Steve who says if we can find a Scottish based Everton fan club then the Scottish Bolton Wanderers Supporters club would play us in a seven a side Match. This could be done as a charity event for Children in Need or Childline - or something along those lines. Is anyone up for it?

Other Everton news is that the French ace David Ginola is on the wanted list at Portsmouth.Boss Harry Rednapp is keen to team up Ginola with his old pal Shaka Hislop who signed for the club on Monday.

Also David Moyes has invited Jamacian international midfielder Omar Daley over to the UK for a trial
period .

Before I sign off I would just like to say, as I am the Scottish Correspondent for Everton Mad I am pleased to say I will be covering all three Everton matches in Scotland when they are here later this month. On the run up to the matches I will tell you about their Scottish opponents and where to go and what to see when you come up to Bonnie Scotland.

I have information that The Scottish Football Museum will stay open later than usual when Everton take on Queen's Park so that the fans can make a visit there When they come up. I will remind you all of the prices and times of opening nearer the time of the match.

Well off to bed now to dream of better things for the Blues ….and maybe Anna Kournakova…! Ouch!!!!!!