Sweet Success - An Everton Story

Moyes Resigns As Everton Manager

David Moyes today announced his resignation as Everton manager with immediate effect.

Moyes had previously stated in February that he was considering his future at the club he joined in March 2002, a little over 10 years ago. During his reign Everton have become a stalwart in the top half of Premier League football, gaining qualification for the Champions League in 2005, and an FA Cup final in 2009.

Although no interview with Moyes has been received, it is thought his decision may have stemmed from a lack of finances at Everton, who have in the last decade resorted to selling players such as Wayne Rooney, Jack Rodwell, and Mikel Arteta, in order to maintain their stature in the modern game.

As yet no candidates have been reported as interested, although the favourites appear to be Crystal Palace manager Ian Holloway, recently unemployed Nigel Adkins, and former Everton player and briefly manager Kevin Watson.

Good start, keep it up

Looking forward to this mate!

Kenwright Hints at 'Unexpected' Appointment

Everton Chairman Bill Kenwright has spoken out about candidates for the clubs manager role, and has said the decision may "shock" some people.

Ian Holloway and Nigel Adkins have been the favourites with bookmakers, pundits and fans alike but Kenwright told Sky Sports that a press conference tomorrow will unveil the manager.

"It's not as simple as 'who's done the best job in the last couple of years'" said Kenwright "we have to look at what is best for Everton as a football club, to continue the progression that David (Moyes) laid the foundations for. Whilst we would like to approach the top managers, or even the up and coming managers in the country, that's not necessarily financially possible."

Unknown Travis appointed as Everton boss
Everton today unveiled Joe Travis as their new manager.

The decision to appoint Travis, who's footballing CV includes only backroom roles at Shrewsbury Town and most recently Everton, has been seen as unusual and a sign that Everton financially, are unable to compete with other clubs for talented managers.

Despite the criticism from the press, Travis appeared unfazed in the conference, fielding several controversial questions.

"I know I'm not most people's first choice," Said Travis, " To be honest I think it's quite apparent to most people that I wasn't even the board's first choice, but I'm not really fussed about circumstances or situations. The all important note is that I sit here today as Everton manager and I'm personally delighted."

When asked whether key players will have to be sold, a precedent at Goodison Park in recent times, Travis hinted this may be so. "We have some top talent, such as Merouane (Fellaini), Heitinga and Leighton (Baines). And if we wish to rebuild the squad and progress then sometimes the players that fetch the biggest fees have to go. I've spoken to Bill (Kenwright) and we've assessed what needs to be done in order to progress, and how we plan to make funds available for what we want to achieve, and if some players have to be sold then so be it."

These words may disgruntle some Toffees' fans, who are fearful of Everton's future resembling that of Aston Villa following Martin O'Neil's departure in 2010.

Royson Drenthe signs for Everton

Joe Travis today unveiled Royson Drenthe as his first signing for the club, whilst also offloading Victor Anichebe and Sylvain Distin.

Drenthe, who spent last season on loan at Everton from Real Madrid, was released from his contract in the summer, and Travis seemed happy to have him back.

"He is a quality footballer, his pace makes him very hard to deal with and he turned him some fantastic performances last season." Said Travis

Of the departures, Anichebe to Wolves for 4 million and Distin to Girondins Bordeaux on a free transfer, Travis said "They were both surplus to requirements, and freed up wages and transfer money that was previously unavailable to us."

Travis also answered rumours regarding the futures of Leighton Baines and Merouane Fellaini, both linked with moves away. He said " There have been bids for both players, which we feel haven't quite met the clubs valuation, but we'll see."

Both bids were reported to be in the region of £20 million

An Everton story! Even if I am a Reds fan, this is a good start, keep it up!

Baines and Fellaini leave Everton!!!

Everton fans were further worried today as in a shocking move, Leighton Baines and Merouane Fellaini both left the club, for Arsenal and Tottenham respectively.

Baines, 27, signed for Arsenal in a 22.5 million deal, whereas Fellaini's fee is being touted as £25 million. Whilst this would give Joe Travis somewhat of a transfer kitty to work with, fans seem upset at losing the clubs 2 most influential talents in recent seasons.

Magaye Gueye has also left for Swansea for a fee of £2.1 million

Everton sign Shawcross, Di Ceglie and Adryan

Everton have gone some way to attempting to rebuild, announcing the signings of Paolo Di Ceglie, Adryan and Ryan Shawcross.

Shawcross, signed for £15 million from Stoke, is on the fringes of the England squad and has received acclaim for his performances in the Premier League in the last few years, whilst Di Ceglie is seen as a successor to Leighton Baines, for a cut price fee of £1.9 million.

Adryan, 18 years of age and signed from Flamengo, is a highly rated in South America as being the next Samba Superstar. His capture for 875k has been commended by experts who say that it is a steal

Nice transfers, though Baines and Fellaini are big losses.
Hope you can get results! Adryan is a great talent!

Great start, although I personally feel allowing Baines and Fellaini to go was a huge, huge mistake. I have played with those two on FM13 before and although I have not played with Shawcross or De Ceglie, Baines & Fellaini definitely beats them any day.

Anyway, just my two cents. Hopefully you can still do well without the legendary Baines & Fellaini.

Like Glenn said, Baines and Fellaini were two BIG mistakes. I would've just bought Shawcross and the title was to be yours. I personally think that Distin on a free is a waste of money as you could've get some extra money there :P! Anyways it'll be interesting how you will manage to challenge the top four.

2013-02-24 03:44#82463 Glenn T : Great start, although I personally feel allowing Baines and Fellaini to go was a huge, huge mistake. I have played with those two on FM13 before and although I have not played with Shawcross or De Ceglie, Baines & Fellaini definitely beats them any day.

Anyway, just my two cents. Hopefully you can still do well without the legendary Baines & Fellaini.

I now what you mean, but near 50 million for the pair is nearly as muchas Milan got for Silva and Zlatan, it was too good to turn down. And I had literally no money to work with to get players in.

Winning Start for Travis: Everton 1-0 Wigan

Joe Travis' reign as Everton manager began with a 1-0 victory over a lacklustre Wigan side at Goodison Park.

The Toffees dominated from start to finish, with Nikica Jelavic, Ross Barkley and Steven Naismith all missing chances until Naismith finally put Everton infront on 72 minutes, latching onto a through ball from substitute Bryan Oviedo.

It was exactly what Travis needed to calm what was becoming an anxious Everton crowd, and the young manager was delighted with the goal. "It was a great finish." Said Travis "We were the better side throughout and it was just a case of waiting for the time to come. The lack of clinicality may need to be addressed, but we have money for the time being to go and look for these sort of players, so we shall."

MOTM: Phil Jagielka

Everton confirm treble swoop

Everton confirmed three signings for the future today as Jack Butland, Maon Bennett and Ryan Gould were unveiled.

Whilst Butland, from Birmingham for £5 million, and Bennett, from Derby for £4 million are more well known, Butland having been in England's Euro 2012 squad and GBs Olympic side, and Bennett tearing up trees in the Championship, Gould is somewhat of a lesser known talent. The young Scotsman signs from Motherwell for a fee of 500k.

"I've never actually watched Gouldy play" Travis admitted "It was on the recommendation of Irv (Alan Irvine, Everton head of youth development.) However, this is why we have people with the phenomenal ability to spot future talent that Irv possesses, so we can sign such unknown entitys for cheap and watch them become household names."