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**gonna try to make this fairly detailed(ish) so might move pretty slow. this is my first attempt at a CM Story... so be gentle, and bear with me **
Sunday 13th July 2003
After a dispute with the Everton board, who said they were unable to authorise funds for transfers, Everton Manager David Moyes today resigned from his post. He stated his regrets at having to leave the club, but said that he felt he was no longer able to perform his duties under the present conditions.
Moyes remarked, "I've very much enjoyed my time at Goodison, and wish them and their new manager all the luck in the world. I also want to thank the Everton fans for the unquestioning support from the time i arrived at the club. I will always hold Everton in a special place in my heart, and who knows, our paths may cross again some day."
Sitting alongside Moyes at the press conference was their new manager, Jamie Mellor. He and the board fielded many questions about his suitability for the job - his lack of experience and relative youth were the main topics.
Everton Deputy Chairman Bill Kenwright had this to say, "We've interviewed Jamie extensively, and we have decided that he is the best man for the job, of those candidates currently available. He was in fact recommended to us by David [Moyes], and we have every faith in his ability to do the job asked of him."
In his statement to the assembled press, Mellor remarked, "I'd like to thank the Everton board for giving me this opportunity, and for taking what may seem a gamble by appointing a manager who many may see as not having the relevent experience. In the coming months, and hopefully years, I will be looking to answer those queries, by continuing the good work which my predecessor started."
After the press conference, Mellor met some of the assembled fans outside the ground.
One such fan had this to say, "I think it's disgusting. We're a major club in one of the three biggest leagues in the world, and our board appoints this guy who no one's ever heard of. This is really hard to take, especially after losing a manager the quality of David Moyes. I hate to say it, but I'm really worried about both the immediate and long term future of this club."
As i sat down at my desk for the first day of my new job, i was filled with a mixture of terror and excitement. This was my dream job... I'd been an Everton fan since I was 4, and now I was responsible for their footballing fortunes.
I decided I needed to get off to a quick start, and immediately set to work looking for ways to cut our over-sized wage bill, which was about £35,000p/w over what it should be. I saw that at the end of the upcoming season, there would be around £160,000p/w worth of players out of contract... most of whom would not be needed in the future. So, I wasn't TOO concerned, as the wage bill would sort itself out so long as i could keep things going for this season.
However, then i saw the perfect opportunity to sort the wages out in one swoop. I called Francis Jeffers into my office, and told him that I was terminating his loan deal from Arsenal. We already had Thomas Radzinski and Wayne Rooney vying for the "quick, small striker" spot in the team, so i decided we could do without the out-of-practice Jeffers.
Next, I met with my Assistant Manager, Alan Irvine, and the team of coaches, Chris Woods, Andy Holder and Jimmy Lumsden. I outlined to them the basic coaching techniques and schedules that we would be using. They seemed receptive to my ideas, and we went off to continue our different tasks.
Throughout the rest of the morning, I had meetings with various players who i informed were not part of my plans, and as such were transfer listed. They all accepted my decision, a few promising to change my mind with their performances in pre season, which I was sceptical about, but promised to give fair consideration to.
During the afternoon, I decided to test the transfer waters. I contacted Fulham manager Chris Coleman about the wantaway Sean Davis, a player who both myself and David Moyes have long admired. I tabled a £3m bit for the tenacious young midfielder, and the Fulham boss said he would get back to me later in the week.
That evening, was Everton's first pre season friendly... talk about thrown in at the deep end. I decided to let Alan Irvine handle the team (with my input of course).
First choice Keeper Richard Wright was out with a long term injury carried over from last season. Thomasz Radzinski away on international duty with Canada
an uneventful match was won for Everton by substitute Duncan Ferguson with a typical towering header from a Kevin Kilbane corner in the 85th minute.
After the match, new Everton boss Jamie Mellor said "well, the performance in that match wasn't too bad for starters. we pretty much dominated the game, but that is no more than we should be doing in this sort of contest. Duncan's done well at the end there, and it's nice to see him reacting positively to me transfer listing him. All in all it was a good run out. I decided to change the whole team at half time, because, even after 45mins there were a lot of tired legs out there after the long summer break."
As i arrived at my desk this morning, i find a message telling me that Middlesborough manager Steve McLaren has been in touch and wants me to get back to him. I call him back, and he informs me that he is making a formal offer of £4.9m for Thomas Gravesen. I had seen Steve at our friendly Sunday, but hadn't known what he was there for. I told him I would think about it, and get back to him later in the day. When I called him back, I informed him that I wanted a 30% sell-on clause written into the deal. He agreed, and I gave him formal permission to contact Thomas.
In between these two phonecalls, I received word from Fulham that my offer for Sean Davis had been accepted, but that i was now facing direct competition from Newcastle for the players signature. This worried me a little, but I hoped that the fact that i could guarantee him 1st team football would sway him to joining us.
Today I received £500k offers for the transfer listed Lee Carsley from both Aston Villa and Spurs. Both offers were accepted, as the player was not in my plans, not having even made the subs bench in Sunday's friendly.
I myself also had two transfer offers accepted today. A season long loan deal for Massimo Maccarone from Middlesborough, and a £200k deal for young Norwegian midfielder Daniel Braathen.
Towards the end of the day, i received two new offers for Thomas Gravesen, from Fenerbahce and Aston Villa. Both of these were negotiated up to match the offer from Middlesborough.
Thu 17th July
Today, I was able to unveil my first two signings as Everton manager. Massimo Maccarone joined for a year on loan, and I was delighted to announce that Sean Davis had turned down the option to go to Newcastle in order to join us.
Lee Carsley also joined Spurs for half a million.
I had landed my major target for pre-season in the signing of Davis, and things were starting to look up...
Today we embarked on a short pre season tour of Germany, which I hoped would get the squad morale up, along with giving us much needed match practice.
Bergedorf 3 - 2 Everton
Starting XI
Martyn, Hibbert, Pistone, Stubbs, Yobo
McFadden, Naysmith, Gravesen, Davis
Rooney, Maccarone
A lively match, which started off with chances at both ends. In the 19th minute, Thomas Gravesen gave the small band of Toffees fans what could turn out to be a parting gift, when the ball was squared to him by Naysmith on the left, and he lashed the ball home from fully 30 yards.
The game quietened down until half time, when the Everton boss once again made a full change of personnel. Mellor will have been a little worried by his decision though, as they then proceded to concede 2 goals in the space of 4mins. First the defence backed off the German striker, who slotted home from inside the area (no doubt Mellor will be having words with defensive coach Jimmy Lumsden). The second however, there was little anyone could do about, as Mattias Jungworth slammed the ball into the top corner from 35yards, giving Nigel Martyn no chance.
After 62mins, Niclas Alexandersson gave Everton some hope with a scrambled goal from a corner. This hope, however was dashed as, 4mins into injury time, they were beaten by a header from a corner, which squirmed in off the far post.
After the match, Mellor offered these comments, "Obviously we're not happy with the result here, but the name of the game at this stage is fitness... and I feel we are making great strides in that area. I felt we were unlucky to lose the game, we had many opportunities to win it. But at the end of the day, if you don't take your chances, you're going to be made to pay, whatever the level."
I was cheered up later in the evening when my P.A telephoned to inform me that Daniel Braathen had signed. I rate this youngster highly, and was glad to hear he would be flying out to join us in time for our next match.
Sun 20th July
Today, Thomas Gravesen signed for Middlesborough in a deal worth a little under £5m plus a 30% sell on clause. I was sorry to see Thomas leave, but needed the money to finance further squad rebuilding. I set about searching for a replacement.
In other news, Edgar Davids signed for Barcelona in a deal which starts at £8m.
Everton were in fine form today as they demolished this small German outfit. The scoring started after 15mins when, after good work from Sean Davis, Linderoth found himself in the clear, and smashed the ball into the top corner.
The advantage was doubled when, on the 19min mark, Wayne Rooney beat 3 men, before flicking the ball over the last defender to the onrushing Maccarone, who took a touch before slotting past the keeper.
Jamie Mellor once again shuffled his pack at half time, replacing the majority of his starters.
Four minutes into the second half, Kevin Kilbane flicked the ball on for fellow substitute Duncan Ferguson, who, in one fluid motion, swivelled as the ball dropped over his shoulder, and smashed a volley into the top corner, further enhancing his claim for a first team place.
The rout was completed on 56mins when Steve Watson headed home a Kilbane corner from the right. Daniel Braathen impressed in his second half debut, running his marker ragged, going past him time and time again.
Manager Mellor was understandably happy after the match. "I couldn't have asked much more from the lads, they've put in a quality performance tonight. I'd especially like to congratulate Daniel Braathen. He's only been with the squad for a day or so, but he's already shown what a prospect he is."
Tue 22nd July
Today, i rejected a £500k bid from Charlton for Alessandro Pistone, telling Alan Curbishley to throw in Scott Parker and we might talk
Today's match took a little while to get going, but then burst into life in a 7min spell. Firstly, on 15mins, the Karlsruhe goalkeeper failed to deal with a through ball from Sean Davis, and Tobias Linderoth was able to tap the ball into the net. Four minutes later, the German side were level, a comedy of errors gifting an opening to Saenko, who rounded Nigel Martyn to score.
But three minutes after that, Everton were in front again. A thunderous freekick from James McFadden struck the foot of the right hand post and rebounded across goal. Maccarone was about to convert when he was brought to ground. The Everton fans cries of "OFF OFF!" were ignored, somewhat to the bemusement of the players, but a penalty was given, which Maccarone himself converted with aplomb, the ball grazing the inside of the post on its way into the goal.
Things settled a little until half time, when Everton manager Jamie Mellor made his usual rash of Eriksson-esque substitutions.
However, these may have disrupted the balance of the side, as, direct from the kickoff, Saenko took a few strides, and slammed the ball at goal from fully 40 yards... substitute goalkeeper Iain Turner could only palm the ball into the top left corner of his net.
Six minutes later, disaster struck for Everton, as Turner dived for a ball, and collided with the post. He lay clutching his shoulder as medics attended to him, but was stretchered off, leaving Kevin Campbell to take his place in goal.
The match went downhill from there, Campbell conceding two goals, in the 70th and 85th minutes, giving the game to Karlsruhe.
"It looks like Iain is going to be out for around 8 weeks, as we think he has broken his collarbone. I felt we were doing pretty good up until that point, but obviously any team is going to struggle without a goalie. The tour's been good, but i think we're all looking forward to getting back to Bellefield" said Blues boss Mellor.
Today, i was delighted to have a £3m offer for Mikel Arteta of Rangers accepted. Hoping to bring him in as soon as possible to plug the gap left by Gravesen's departure.
Sun 27th July
Today I unveiled new £3m signing Mikel Arteta to the assembled press and fans. He will go straight into the squad for Thursday's friendly vs Millwall. His top notch passing ability should add some guile to our steadily improving midfield.
Arteta: "I'm delighted to have joined Everton. I have great faith in the new manager's plan for the future, and look forward to working with him, and my new team mates, and to testing myself in one of the greatest leagues in the world."
Thu 31st July
A friendly back on English soil, and a chance to watch our new signing in action.
Millwall 1 - 3 Everton
Starting XI
Martyn, Hibbert, Unsworth, Stubbs, Yobo
McFadden, Naysmith, Arteta, Davis
Rooney, Maccarone
Everton started well in this match, Rooney putting in a pinpoint cross from the right to the edge of the area, which Maccarone spectacularly volleyed home.
Millwall however were level after 23mins when May climbed above McFadden to flick the ball on to Cahill to smash past Martyn. The game stayed level until the last 8mins, when, buoyed by a few timely substitutions, Everton went on the warpath, bombarding the Millwall goal.
The pressure paid off when Radzinski found an opening, after the ball was squared by Braathen. Four minutes later, it was 3-1, when Linderoth hammered a free kick goalwards. The ball took a wicked deflection off a Millwall defender, stranding the goalkeeper, and tying up the match.
Jamie Mellor was unsurprisingly buoyant afterwards. "I'm really pleased with the performance here today, and to be honest, it could have been far more. We bossed the game, and, but for one little defensive lapse, should have kept a clean sheet. The boys are looking much fitter, and they look like they can't wait for the season to start."
Millwall manager Roy Aitken was full of praise for the Toffees. "The new manager might not have much experience, but he's certainly got those lads working well. Lets be honest, if it weren't for a great performance from our keeper, and more than a little luck, we could have been really hammered out there today."
**Any comments on the story will be greatly appreciated... if anyone could be bothered to read this far that is**
Sun 3rd Aug
Our final friendly of the pre-season, and a last chance to fine tune, and do a little experimenting.
Crystal Palace 2 - 1 Everton
Everton will have been disappointed to have lost this, their final match of the pre-season schedule, especially in the manner in which they did so.
They went behind after 35mins to an Andy Johnson goal. It was a well worked goal, although Jamie Mellor might ask questions of the positioning of a couple of his defenders.
This is how the match looked like ending, until the 83rd minute when Wayne Rooney popped up to head in a Gary Naysmith cross. Then, with seconds remaining, after good work from Anton Smith, Gareth Williams received the ball in the box, and slid the ball past Nigel Martyn between the Everton sticks.
"Obviously I'm gutted at having lost this game, especially after having worked to get back into it," said Mellor after the match, "We weren't at our best today, but we've got a little while to work at it before the big kickoff... Overall I'm pretty happy with the way preseason has gone, we've faced a nice selection of opponents, who've tested us in different ways. Now we'll just have to see how it comes together in the league."
In other news, Manchester Utd today signed Nicolas Anelka for £13m from their cross-town rivals City.
Wed 6th Aug
The Premiership Title Odds were today published by Skybet, with Everton being placed 6th favourites with Spurs, at 40-1.
"I think that's probably a fair reflection of the league," said manager Mellor, "To be honest I don't think we have much of a chance of the title, but we're looking at qualifying for Europe in some shape or form, then building from there."
It's Not Over Till the Toffee Lady Sings 
**
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