Tranmere Beat Barrow Late Through Dramatic Norwood Winner

Image Source: The Mail

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Result: Tranmere Rovers 1-0 Barrow
Date: Saturday September 9 2017
Competition: National League
Venue: Prenton Park, Tranmere
Attendance: 4,269

It was another moment of late drama for Tranmere as they secured a 1-0 win over Barrow.

Despite endeavour and effort from both sides, the game somehow remained goal-less as the end approached, only for James Norwood to find a way through the Barrow defence to clinch the three points for Rovers.

This was a crucial game for Tranmere: sitting in 18th with two wins from their first eight games, Rovers couldn't afford to drop more points, even at this early stage of the season, if they are to mount a serious promotion challenge again. Barrow entered the match in the slightly better position of 16th, but they also realised that a win here could have done wonders for their momentum.

Yet neither side could make the break-through, despite both teams having plenty of chances. A close-range header by Andy Cook led to a chance for Jay Harris but he couldn't convert. Around 25 minutes in, Norwood stayed on his feet when he received a tough challenge in the box; Norwood crossed it in low to Cook to no avail, but the question was whether Norwood should have gone down, as he had the right to do, to earn his side a penalty?

As half-time approached, Barrow had two great chances: Adi Yussuf cleverly chipped goalkeeper Scott Davies only for James McEveley to clear it off the line at the last second, and Byron Harrison thought he had headed his team in front during added time only for it to be disallowed, after a delay, for offside.

The second half followed a similar pattern: Barrow looked dangerous going forward but Tranmere's defence was resilient enough to cope, whereas Tranmere's own threat towards goal lacked that extra bit of punch that would have made all the difference. The most notable chance came from a stunning 45-yard lob by Barrow's Dan Jones, with Davies very fortunate that the ball just reached the outside roof of the Tranmere net.

The Tranmere fans became frustrated with what appeared to be significant and frequent time-wasting by the visitors as the closing minutes approached, and the game seemed destined to end as a goal-less draw. Fortunately for Rovers, some hesitation within the Barrow defence allowed Norwood to weave through and drive home a low effort into the bottom corner of the net. Cue scenes of jubilation amongst Tranmere fans, and three vital points. Tranmere are making a habit of late goals at present, not that their supporters will mind one jot.

The National League is extremely tight at present; Tranmere, now in 14th, are just five points behind Dover, who currently sit top, with roughly 20% of the season in the record books. Therefore, this win could prove to be pivotal, and if Tranmere do enjoy a run of form akin to that which propelled them to a high finish in 2016/7, it's likely that this win will be considered the catalyst.

Tranmere Star Man: James Norwood. With no truly outstanding performances, Norwood gets the nod for his hard work throughout, having created several chances, and of course for his hugely significant late winner.

Tranmere Salvage Late Point Against Boreham Wood

Tranmere left it late to squeeze a point
out of their tie with Boreham Wood.

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Result: Tranmere Rovers 2-2 Boreham Wood
Date: Saturday August 26 2017
Competition: National League
Venue: Prenton Park, Tranmere
Attendance: 4,295

Tranmere left it late to salvage a draw against Boreham Wood.

Up until the closing minutes, it looked like last year's runner-up's in the National League would be facing their third defeat already this season. Two late goals ensured that Tranmere came away with a point, but it still means that Rovers only have one win in their six opening games so far.

For the first half, it was more Boring than Boreham as there were few notable chances between the two sides. Boreham (who came into the match in 4th with some momentum behind them) came close early on after James McEveley lost the ball close to his area, but Scott Davies was in prime position to deny Sean Jeffers outside the area.

Otherwise, there wasn't a great deal to report from the first 45 minutes. Perhaps most notably were some slight boos towards the home team at half-time, which suggests that patience is running a little thin after the heights that Rovers hit as they peaked towards the end of last season.

The turning point, and the incident which brought the game to life, was the controversial decision by referee Paul Marsden to award Boreham a penalty. Though there were protests and plenty of boos after the fact, it didn't stop Bruno Andrade from converting the spot-kick to put the travelling side in front.

One became two on 69 minutes, and in some style. Angelo Balanta strode forward on a straight run through the Tranmere run before unleashing a spectacular curling shot over the head of Davies to double Boreham's lead. Nobody could deny the incredible quality of the goal, though it did little to make home fans feel better that their side were facing another defeat.

Some pride was restored by substitute Andy Cook who slotted home with a header on 83 minutes. It gave Tranmere a lifeline, though their performance suggested that an equaliser was unlikely. But against the odds, almost to the second of completing the 90 minutes, Andy Mangan (another substitute) scored off a low cross by James Norwood to make it 2-2.

So, ultimately, fans were satisfied to see their team salvage something at the death, though it remains a result which few Rovers supporters would have taken beforehand. Hopefully, the manner of this draw will motivate Tranmere to really get their season going, and Rovers will start putting together a run of victories. If not, then results like this could become bigger achievements as the campaign rolls on.

Tranmere Star Man: Andy Mangan. On a day when few Tranmere performances stood out, Mangan's fresh burst of energy was a major factor in Tranmere snatching a late point. As if his goal wasn't enough, his passionate celebration demonstrated how much this moment meant to him as he spared the home side's blushes.

Forest Green Heading Into Football League As Tranmere Suffer Wembley Heartbreak

Image Source: BBC

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Result: Forest Green 3-1 Tranmere Rovers
Date: Sunday May 14 2017
Competition: National League Promotional Final
Venue: Wembley Stadium, London
Attendance: 18,801

Forest Green secured promotion to The Football League, but Tranmere Rovers hearts were broken after a compelling Vanarama National League Promotion Final.

With a crowd of 18,801 looking on, many of them Tranmere fans, it was anybody's guess as to who would come out on top: Tranmere were unlucky to have missed out on the title (which Lincoln City scooped), but Forest Green had defeated Rovers in their previous meeting at Prenton Park, the last match that the whites had lost prior to this Wembley showdown.

Tranmere started the brighter of the two sides, but it was Forest Green who took the lead in impressive fashion: creating a chance seemingly from nothing, Kaiyne Woolery drove a fine low effort into the bottom corner, beyond the reach of Scott Davies, putting Forest Green in front on 11 minutes.

From there, Tranmere looked to slow things down in order to regain control, though The Green still looked dangerous on the attack. It was a relief for the Super White Army, then, when Connor Jennings grabbed an equaliser with the goal of the game, a superb shot which fired into the roof of the net to a rapturous response from the large number of Tranmere fans on hand at the capital. At 22 minutes, the game was very much on now.

Each side had their chances to snatch what would have been a crucial goal to take into the rest period, with the best chance coming to James Norwood following a mix-up at the back for Forest Green, but Sam Russell blocked the close-range effort with his knees in a vital recovery. Similarly, Davies pulled off a superb save of his own, just tipping away an attempted chip by Keanu Marsh-Brown and, at the same time, stopping Christian Doidge from putting in the rebound, which he almost certainly would have done.

Just when it looked like it would be honours even going into half-time, though, Forest Green hit a one-two sucker punch. Firstly, Doidge took a chance on the edge of the Tranmere area, and his shot headed straight into the corner of the net on 41 minutes. That being said, this goal was shrouded by controversy, as a foul by Mark Ellis on Jennings in the Forest Green half wasn't given, and the move which led to the goal stemmed from this incident.

However, it was a lapse in concentration which created the decisive goal on 43 minutes: Liam Ridehalgh, who has been consistent all season, took too much time in considering his options and he lost the ball to Woolery, who coolly put the ball underneath Davies to give Forest Green a 3-1 lead going into the break.

Tranmere's cause had quickly evolved from confidence to optimism to hope, but it was clear when the two sides kicked off for the second half that the wind had been well and truly taken out of Tranmere's sails.

Getting a second goal within the subsequent 10-15 minutes was crucial if Tranmere were to mount a comeback, but whilst they came close on numerous occasions (Andy Mangan missed an incredible chance to find the net from mere centimetres out from a goalmouth scramble created by a corner, and after Russell dawdled on the ball thus losing possession to Jennings, Cole Stockton's effort was too high, thus missing a glorious chance to get his side back into the game), they just couldn't find the break-through and, despite top scorer Andy Cook being sent on to try and salvage the game (why he wasn't starting in the first place, and hasn't done in weeks, remains a mystery), it was clear as the final 15-20 minutes approached that it wasn't going to happen.

Forest Green, for their part, still looked to catch Tranmere on the break and they still looked dangerous whenever they were going forward, knowing that a fourth goal would have well and truly sealed the game. As the second half wore on, Forest Green chose to implement some of their more familiar (and some would say "unprofessional") tactics to help wind the clock down a little more, frustrate Tranmere that little bit more, and generally end any hopes of a fightback by the whites.

Nevertheless, whilst the closing stages weren't without their moments, a comeback didn't look like it was on the cards, and so it proved as Forest Green won the game 3-1, leading to wild celebrations from players and fans, and their promotion to the Football League, where they will join champions Lincoln City in League Two. A big goal can go a long way in a game like this, and whilst the first three goals were all pearlers, the fourth goal proved most crucial, emphasising that it doesn't matter how you get the goals on a stage like this, so long as you get them.

It was hard to deny that Forest Green deserved the win, as they took clear control of the game once they established a two-goal margin, and their play for the first 60 minutes was eye-catching and the sign of a confident, organised team. However, you couldn't help but feel for Tranmere, who had worked tirelessly to achieve promotion in some form or fashion, only for their opportunity to slip. In particular, the error by Ridehalgh was cruel considering how well he has played this season. Had Tranmere gone into the break only one goal down, I feel that they would have been able to pull it back to 2-2 at the very least; the third goal was a killer, and they simply couldn't break down Forest Green during the second half.

It's easy to wonder how things may have been different if not for Lee Vaughan's broken leg which prevented the popular defender from playing here, or if the aforementioned Cook (with 23 goals to his name this season) had been given the chance to start, or even if Lincoln had been unable to ride their luck in the final few weeks of the season which netted them the title. But Tranmere should take confidence from a season which has been mostly positive and progressive and, since the Super White Army won't have to worry about facing their two toughest challengers next season, it is hoped that they will be able to take that final step towards returning to the Football League come the end of 2017/8. As for Forest Green, they've now achieved that dream, and they will get a chance to prove their worth in League Two next season. Getting into the Football League is one thing; in 2017/8, they'll get the opportunity to prove that they can stay there. Right now, though, things are looking good for The Greens, and they will enjoy this Wembley triumph for some time.

Man Of The Match: Kaiyne Woolery. Getting a big goal in a huge Wembley match is some achievement; getting two is even better. And that's what Woolery did, whose first goal brought Forest Green to life, and whose second goal effectively sealed the win.

Tranmere Star Man: Connor Jennings. Arguably Tranmere's most popular player amongst fans, Jennings delivered a fantastic equaliser at a crucial time. Whilst it's a shame that they weren't able to take the lead after that, Jennings' moment brought the Super White Army at Wembley to life, and re-ignited their hopes of a famous victory.

Tranmere Heading To Wembley

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Result: Tranmere Rovers 2-2 Aldershot
Date: Saturday May 6 2017
Competition: National League Play-Off Semi-Final (Second Leg)
Venue: Prenton Park, Tranmere
Attendance: 10,241

Tranmere Rovers are one win away from returning to the Football League after making it through their Play-Off Semi Final second leg game with Aldershot, securing a trip to Wembley in the process.

Coming off their 3-0 win in the first leg, Tranmere could afford to sit back a little since the pressure was on Aldershot to create chances and attempt a major comeback, though one or two early goals could have blown the tie wide open again.

Nevertheless, it was Tranmere who were more ambitious heading forward in the early going with a few decent opportunities on goal. That being said, both sides looked a lot tentative during the opening 15-20 minutes, as it appeared that each team were desperate not to concede; Aldershot did eventually begin to create chances, as they would have to if they were to have any hopes of turning things around.

As the game passed the half-hour mark, the game reached its first flashpoint with Cole Stockton taking his chance well to compose himself and slot past Jake Cole, putting Tranmere in front to a raucous reception and giving Rovers a 4-0 margin on aggregate.

With Tranmere coming close to doubling their lead on the day through a fine attempt by Lois Maynard, it seemed like Aldershot's chances of making a grand comeback were dead in the water, but Bernard Mensah changed that perception with a superb strike from outside the area right into the corner of Rovers' net. The equaliser at least made Aldershot's challenge a bit more realistic, but the away side would still have a mighty task on their hands to salvage anything in the second half.

Tranmere nerves really started jangling at 54 minutes when Matt McClure pounced on a ricocheting ball following a corner for The Shots and made it 2-1. Suddenly, with the aggregate score at 4-2, one more Aldershot goal could have set up a grandstand finish, though extra time would have still been required if they had completed the big comeback.

Aldershot had some great chances shortly thereafter and Tranmere looked shaken for a period, before Rovers began to settle things down and take control of the game again. Still, despite some close calls for the home side, it was Aldershot who almost got another goal when Scott Rendell headed it towards the net from mere centimetres, and Scott Davies pulled off a superb, and hugely important save.

After that, Aldershot were unable to come so close to reducing the overall deficit again, and Tranmere officially settled the tie when James Norwood scored in the 94th minute for a 2-2 draw on the day and a 5-2 aggregate win. Cue huge celebrations and a pitch invasion, which began before the final whistle.

So, Tranmere are heading to Wembley, and it's no less than they deserve after a strong showing all season, and having looked particularly impressive in the last few months. Aldershot, to their credit, had a real go of it, and Rendell's headed chance might have changed things if not for Davies' save. Nevertheless, it's Tranmere who are celebrating, and only 90 minutes and a trip to the capital separate Rovers from a return to the Football League.

Man Of The Match: Cole Stockton. Tight, high-pressure matches need somebody to step up and produce some magic, and Stockton once again rose to the occasion with a vital goal. A mention for Scott Davies, too, whose late save effectively killed Aldershot's hopes of a miraculous comeback.

Tranmere Secure Second Against Southport

A comprehensive win for Tranmere
over their local rivals Southport.

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Result: Tranmere Rovers 4-1 Southport
Date: Saturday April 22 2017
Competition: National League
Venue: Prenton Park, Tranmere
Attendance: 6,159

Tranmere Rovers officially confirmed a second-place finish, giving them an advantage heading into the Play-Offs, as they defeated local rivals Southport 4-1.

Lincoln City had confirmed their title win earlier in the day with a 2-1 win over Macclesfield Town, but it was still imperative for Tranmere to head into the forthcoming Play-Offs on the front foot by securing the highest possible position in the meantime.

Tranmere had previously drawn 1-1 with Southport, and claimed a 1-0 win last season from a James Norwood penalty, and it would be Norwood who shone again here on a day where sunshine met a cold breeze at Prenton Park.

After a fairly slow start, and a near-miss when Andrai Jones almost capitalised on a defensive mix-up, Rovers took the lead on 25 minutes, when Norwood slotted home a hard drive from inside the penalty area. He went down in the aftermath with a slight knock, cutting short his celebrations, but he ploughed on as Tranmere looked more buoyant after taking the lead.

Southport, who were already relegated yet had held their own for the most part, began to struggle to cope with the more vibrant home side, and one became two on 46 minutes as Norwood came up with a superb, if somewhat cheeky, lob over goalkeeper Chris Cheetam. If the first goal was important, the second goal was crucial, as it gave Tranmere a cushion and a chance to sit back a bit. Tranmere looked much more comfortable from that point on, and Connor Jennings added a third with a fine curling effort on 50 minutes.

As good as Tranmere looked, they suffered a big set-back on 54 minutes when Spencer Myers, who only joined Southport on loan from Fleetwood Town a few weeks ago, came flying in with a hard challenge on Lee Vaughan. The Tranmere defender went off on a stretcher after several minutes of treatment, and the news that both he and fans feared has since come out that he suffered a broken leg. Well-wishes to Vaughan, as Tranmere now have to find an alternate defensive strategy for the Play-Offs.

Myers was lucky not to see red for his rash challenge and home fans were not pleased that he remained on the pitch, so they were incensed when Myers stepped up to slot past Tranmere keeper Scott Davies on 61 minutes, although it was merely a consolation at that point for the 160 travelling supporters. That was underlined when Tranmere wrapped it up by making it 4-1 on 71 minutes, with James Wallace setting up Jennings nicely to put it in, albeit with a slight deflection to guide the ball home.

So, Tranmere will head into the Play-Offs in the strongest position possible, aside from the injury to Vaughan. Given their perseverance and sheer effort this season, it's a shame that they weren't able to catch Lincoln for the title, but if the Super White Army still have a promotion to celebrate on May 14, nobody will be complaining, and this victory was another big step towards Tranmere's biggest couple of weeks in a long time.

Man Of The Match: James Norwood. Another strong display from Tranmere's number ten, who never gives up in tracking the ball down and trying to create chances, and he came up with two big goals to add to the dozen he'd already scored this season.

Tranmere Looking Fine And Scoring Nine

That scoreline says it all:
Tranmere Rovers 9-0 Solihull Moors.

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Result: Tranmere Rovers 9-0 Solihull Moors
Date: Saturday April 8 2017
Competition: National League
Venue: Prenton Park, Tranmere
Attendance: 5,001

Tranmere Rovers delivered their biggest win of the season, and their biggest margin of victory in many years, as they demolished Solihull Moors 9-0 to keep up the pressure on Lincoln City.

With five wins in a row, and with the dramatic last-minute 3-2 home win over Sutton United fresh in mind, it was imperative for Tranmere to continue the momentum, and the huge scoreline suggests that they are up for the challenge as the final few weeks of the season approach.

Ironically, it was Solihull who could have taken the lead first, albeit in unusual circumstances. Solihull started slightly stronger before Tranmere came into the game with a few opportunities, but a defensive mix-up saw Tranmere captain Stephen McNulty head the ball over his own goalkeeper Scott Davies. Solihull's Omari Sterling-James tried to capitalise on the good fortune, but the ball trickled out past the post just in time to avoid Tranmere's blushes.

Fortunately for the home side, things began moving moments later when, on 20 minutes, Cole Stockton headed home from close range following a perfectly-timed cross by James Norwood. 1-0 became 2-0 just a few minutes later when Stockton delivered a fine curling effort from outside the penalty area.

A chance for Stockton to get his hat-trick in pretty short time was denied when Solihull shot-stopper Danny Lewis saved Cole's penalty attempt, but right on half-time, Stockton slid in to convert for both his and Tranmere's third goal.

It was only three minutes into the second half before a low-range effort by Connor Jennings boosted the score-line and effectively ended Solihull's hopes of a stunning comeback. Jennings headed in his second goal off a corner to make it 5-0 just two minutes later, but whilst the pace slowed down from there as Tranmere looked to concentrate on their defensive game, just to make sure that they maintained a clean sheet, they were back scoring on 68 minutes as Andy Cook slotted home off a cross by Lee Vaughan.

At that point, it seemed that Tranmere's work was done for the day, but with a significant goal difference margin between them and Lincoln to attempt to trim down, Rovers went in for the kill: Liam Ridehalgh curled in a fantastic top-corner free kick on 84 minutes, Jennings became the second Tranmere player to net a hat-trick when he delivered a stunning curler of his own right on 90 minutes, and Aaron Collins completed the scoring in stoppage time for a quite frankly incredible 9-0 victory.

Tranmere were rampant, and their fans were jubilant and excited at just how ruthless the home side had been. Solihull, for their part, were swept aside akin to a tornado heading through a busy city, such was the futility of any potential resistance. Not that this changed the gloom amongst the players or for the 85 fans who admirably stayed for the whole match despite the massive scoreline, nor for manager Liam McDonald who held a post-match team talk on the pitch in front of the away support.

The only downside to the day's activities was that Lincoln had claimed a fairly late win over Eastleigh to keep hold of top spot. However, although Lincoln have a game in hand over Tranmere, the ruthless manner in which Rovers went about business will send a shiver down Lincoln spines; if they slip up at any point, Rovers will be right there to capitalise. The race for the National League title appears to be an intriguing and unpredictable one that will go right down to the wire, but if this 9-0 destruction is any indication, Tranmere have what it takes to push Lincoln all the way to the finish line.

Man Of The Match: A rare three-way tie. Cole Stockton could have had four when all was said and done, and Connor Jennings' own hat-trick cannot be ignored. However, James Norwood was superb all afternoon in chasing the ball down and setting up several goals before being substituted to a huge ovation.

Everton appoint Ronald Koeman

Image Source: Sky Sports

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Everton Football Club

Everton Football Club have confirmed the appointment of Ronald Koeman as manager on a three-year contract to June 2019.

A European Cup winner as a player at Barcelona and winner of the European Championship with the Netherlands, Koeman has won eight trophies as a manager including three Dutch Eredivisie titles, the KNVB (Dutch) Cup and the Copa Del Rey in Spain.

He is the only man to have played for and managed the ‘big three’ clubs in the Netherlands – Ajax, PSV and Feyenoord – and his managerial career has embraced spells at Benfica in Portugal and Spanish side Valencia. He has also served as assistant manager for the Netherlands and Barcelona.

In each of the past two seasons he has led Southampton to seventh and sixth-place finishes in the Premier League and qualification for the UEFA Europa League.

Chairman Bill Kenwright commented: “We are really pleased to have secured the man who was our No.1 target from the moment we set out to appoint a new manager.

“Ronald has such a strong track record in the game, instantly commanding respect for what he achieved as a player and for his qualities and accomplishments as a manager.

“The hopes and aspirations that we all have as Evertonians are with him, as is our total support at Board, shareholder and fan level.”

Manager Ronald Koeman added: “I am very excited to be Everton manager. I believe in the Club, in the team, in the fans and in our ability to achieve things in the future.

“Everton is a club with a great history and real ambition and it is a proud feeling for me to be part of what we want to go and do, together with the Chairman and Farhad Moshiri.

“I am looking forward to meeting everyone at the Club and to preparing for a big season in the Premier League.”

Moshiri invests in Everton

Image Source: Everton FC

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Everton Football Club

Everton Football Club today announced that the Club will have a new major shareholder who brings the promise of new investment.

Farhad Moshiri will acquire 49.9% of the Club, conditional only on the Premier League approving his investment.

Chairman Bill Kenwright commented: “After an exhaustive search I believe we have found the perfect partner to take the Club forward. I have got to know Farhad well over the last 18 months and his football knowledge, financial wherewithal and True Blue spirit have convinced me that he is the right man to support Everton.”

Moshiri added: “I am delighted to take this opportunity to become a shareholder in Everton, with its rich heritage as one of Europe's leading football clubs. There has never been a more level playing field in the Premier League than now.  Bill Kenwright has taught me what it means to be an Evertonian and I look forward with excitement to working with him to help deliver success for Everton in the future.”

ASCC officially opens after major redevelopment

Image Source: Liverpool Football Club

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Liverpool Football Club

This past Thursday, Anfield Sports and Community Centre (ASCC) celebrated its official opening following a £2.3 million investment that will offer improved sports facilities and programmes to people living in north Liverpool.

Improvements at the centre include a new full-size, floodlit 3G pitch, a three-court sports hall, the refurbishment of existing artificial grass turf pitches and a new commercial office space and cafe.

The redevelopment is part of ASCC’s '4 Football 4 Everyone' project and has been funded by a number of supporting partners, including Liverpool FC, Liverpool City Council and the Premier League & FA Facilities Fund – facilitated by the Football Foundation, Sport England and the Johan Cruyff Foundation in conjunction with the People’s Postcode Lottery.

One of the key developments has been the construction of a ‘Cruyff Court’, a state-of-the-art facility for sports as well as health and personal development support. It has been funded by the Cruyff Foundation in conjunction with People’s Postcode Lottery and is only the third such facility in the UK and the first outside London.

Liverpool FC will use the centre as a base for charitable activities in north Liverpool through its Foundation, which already runs a range of programmes from ASCC.

Liverpool FC first-team players Lucas Leiva and Adam Bogdan, Liverpool Ladies' Shannon Beckwith and Mollie Green, and Liverpool FC U21s' Ryan Fulton and Andrew Firth all joined the celebrations on Thursday.

They also took part in Liverpool FC Foundation’s showcase with local schools and awarded prizes to the winning teams alongside the club’s official mascot Mighty Red.

Patricia Smith, chair of the ASCC, commented: “We are extremely grateful for the support we’ve received from our all of our funders. A lot of hard work has been invested by ASCC staff, the project team and our key stakeholders to secure all the funding we needed to deliver this project.

"It has been a real team effort and we are delighted to share it with the wider community.

"It was important that this project design not only ensured the provision of accessible sport facilities for local people but that it also supported the long-term sustainability of the centre. I am confident that the project will deliver all it set out to do and more.”

Ian Ayre, chief executive officer of Liverpool FC, added: “This centre is a very important resource for the local community and we have been delivering our charitable programmes here for some years.
"It's been a privilege to work with the ASCC project team developing this scheme and pulling in the funding needed to deliver it. It's fantastic that the centre will become the official home for our charity and a real hub for our activities here in the heart of our local community.”

Cllr Ann O’Byrne, deputy mayor of Liverpool, said: “The Anfield partnership has achieved a lot so far and the opening of the Anfield Sports and Community Centre is yet another significant milestone on the road to the area’s regeneration.

“These kinds of centres are very important to promote health and wellbeing and I’m delighted that this great new facility is now open for use. It will make a real difference to Anfield and many congratulations to all those who have worked so hard on the project.

“I’m particularly delighted about the support from the Premier League & the FA Facilities Fund and Sport England and it is a coup for the city that the Cruyff Foundation has been involved and developed the first Cruyff Court in the UK outside of London.”

Harlem Globetrotters raise awareness of bullying and slam dunk at local school

L-R: Buckets and Zeus

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: ACC Liverpool

Sweet Georgia Brown! A Liverpool school recently had the pleasure of welcoming two members of the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters basketball team.

Ahead of their next visit to Liverpool in the spring, Anthony “Buckets” Blakes and Julian “Zeus” McClurkin visited St Vincent De Paul Catholic Primary School during Anti-Bullying Week to discuss The ABC's of Bullying Prevention, designed to prevent and raise awareness of bullying.

The programme conists of Action (taking action when you feel that someone is being bullied), Bravery (telling a parent or guardian or, if in school, a teacher about a bullying situation) and Compassion (helping the victim and making them feel welcome as a friend or within your group of friends), all of which help to combat cases of bullying and bring comfort to the person being bullied.

Buckets (whose nickname comes from his accuracy in shooting hoops) and Zeus (who recently broke a Guinness World Record for the most slam dunks in one minute) explained the programme to the schoolchildren, and also helped a number of the kids to perform some nifty basketball tricks. Perhaps this is a sign of things to come in the future for some of those youngsters!

Speaking exclusively to Writebase, Zeus commented: "We came over here to share a message with these kids about the ABCs of bullying prevention, which is one of the more prominent things going on in schools today. The National Campaign to Stop Violence (NCSV) issued essays to kids all around the world where they asked them what their number one problem is that kids are facing, and they said that bullying is the number one problem. So, they partnered with us because we visit hundreds of schools every year and we get a chance to impact these kids' lives, and so we developed this programme called The ABC's of Bullying Prevention."

Having been formed 90 years ago, the Globetrotters have become the most recognisable basketball brand in the world, and will return to the Echo Arena in Liverpool on April 26 2016 to perform live. You can get tickets by clicking here.

For more information about the Harlem Globetrotters, click here.

For further details about The ABC's of Bullying Prevention, click here.

Warrington’s Rugby Heritage to be celebrated in new exhibition

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Warrington Festival

Warrington's strong rugby league heritage will be celebrated in a brand new exhibition which visits the town as part of Warrington Festival.

Rugby League Heritage On Tour will be jam-packed with historic memorabilia, including a player's shirt from the first-ever rugby league test match and the ball from the famous 1954 Challenge Cup final replay. Also featured will be multiple items from the Mike Stephenson Collection.

The collection will detail the story of the game's split from rugby union, the first World Cup, the banning of league in World War Two and much, much more. This exhibition not only tells the story of the game, players and supporters, but also the communities that helped make the sport the success that it is.

Building on a tradition as a strong rugby league town, Warrington was proud to be an official host town in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup. The Samoan international team held their pre-tournament training camp in Warrington and The Halliwell Jones Stadium, home of the mighty Warrington Wolves hosted group matches as well as a quarter final. During this time it was abundantly clear that the town had a real enthusiasm and passion for rugby league.

Culture Warrington has collaborated with Rugby League Cares who have organised the exhibition with the help of a Heritage Lottery Fund grant. Rugby League Cares is a charity dedicated to supporting the Rugby League family and its local communities. Their mission is to enhance and enrich people's lives through the power and positive influence of Rugby League.

The exhibition’s lead curator, Rugby League Cares’ Heritage Manager Victoria Dawson, commented: “This exhibition is different from other exhibitions that have gone before it because this tells not just the story of players and things that have happened on the pitch. As important as that is, rugby league is about more than just the product on the field. Rugby league’s history is the history of the people and this exhibition draws together the stories from the social and cultural history of the sport and incorporates brand new research, so even the most ardent rugby league fan will learn something new. The fantastic thing about a touring exhibition is that it means more of the rugby league family get to share in the history of our beloved sport.”

Whether you're a rugby league fan or a lover of social history, this is an exhibition not to be missed.

Everton FC release statement regarding John Stones

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Everton Football Club

Bill Kenwright, chairman at Everton Football Club, commented: "Everton Football Club has rejected a transfer request from John Stones. Since the start of the transfer window, we have resolutely turned down offers from another Premier League football club for our player. John is not for sale and he will remain a highly valued member of our first team squad."

Kevin Mirallas signs new three-year deal at Everton FC

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Everton Football Club

Roberto Martinez believes that the goalscoring threat and attacking talent of Kevin Mirallas will contribute greatly to Everton’s objectives this season, with the Belgium international having agreed a new deal to last until June 2018.

The 27-year-old forward, who signed from Olympiakos in 2012, became the second player to commit his future to the club in 24 hours after James McCarthy penned a new deal to June 2020, and the Everton manager is convinced that both players will be cornerstones of the upcoming campaign.

Roberto commented: “We all know the goalscoring threat and talent that Kevin brings to the team and it was very important to end the uncertainty regarding the next step in his career.

“To say I am delighted is an understatement. What this means is that Kevin has chosen Everton for the next chapter in his career and, as you can imagine, his potential impact and contribution will be a major part of what we are trying to achieve.

“That continuity in our squad and renewed focus will provide the strong platform on which we will build the 2015/16 campaign.”

Mirallas has scored 29 goals in 85 starts and 25 substitute appearances for the Toffees, including 11 goals in 24 starts last season.

Kevin said: “I’m really happy to commit three more years to the club. I’ve always been happy here; this is my team and my family is settled here, too, so it was a very easy decision when I sat down with the manager and the chairman.

“My goal is to help the team, and our objectives are to aim as high as we can. This is a club that wants to win trophies and compete in European competition, and the fans could not be more supportive in helping us to achieve these goals.

“The fans are a huge part of this club, and I hope they are as pleased as I am to have committed my future here.”

Blues reveal marvel-ous third kit

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Everton Football Club

Everton and Umbro have revealed the Club’s third kit for the 2015/16 season with the help of a Marvel illustrator.

Umbro and the Blues have commissioned artist and Evertonian Will Sliney to create comic book drawings of the players wearing the new third kit, which will see the team sport a green outfield strip for the first time in the Club’s history.

The kit comprises of a green crew-neck shirt with the club crest and Chang logo in a contrasting, striking orange, with black shorts and green socks.

Will has created a bespoke piece of art to showcase the strip featuring Ross Barkley, Leighton Baines, Tom Cleverley, Gerard Deulofeu, Romelu Lukaku and Blues’ boss Roberto Martinez.

Cork-based Will commented: “I've been drawing Everton players as well as comic book superheroes for as long as I can remember. There was always a Duncan Ferguson or a Tony Cottee on the fridge next to Spiderman and Wolverine, so to be invited to be part of this new kit launch is a great honour for me.”

The third strip will be worn for the first time on Saturday August 15 when Everton face Southampton at St Mary’s in the Barclays Premier League. The lightweight third shirt features shaped mesh underarm panels for optimum fit, movement and comfort. And the crew neck rib collar offers a contemporary look and the textured appliqué club crest and Umbro double diamond completes the smart appearance of the shirt.

The reverse of the third shirt, like the home and away, carries an 'NSNO' insignia on the back neck area, a reference to the Club’s famous ‘Nil Satis Nisi Optimum’ motto.

The 2015/16 third kit goes on sale on Wednesday August 26, both in-store and online and is available for men, women, juniors, infants and babies.

To pre-order the 2015/16 Everton third kit, visit www.evertondirect.com from 08.00 on Monday August 3 or Everton One or Everton Two during store opening hours.

This season, Everton and retail partner Kitbag have rolled out a new Click and Collect service that offers a more convenient collection method for supporters who order merchandise online.

As well as still being able to collect their purchases from either of the two Everton stores, supporters are now able to pick up their parcels from any of the 5,000 Hermes Click and Collection partner sites throughout the UK. For more information about the Click and Collect service, visit www.evertondirect.com.

Rooney to appear in his Dunc's testimonial

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Everton Football Club

Duncan Ferguson has described his feelings of genuine gratitude and personal delight that Wayne Rooney has agreed to appear in his testimonial game against Villarreal on Sunday August 2 at Goodison Park.

The showpiece occasion for one of Everton’s biggest heroes could yet see Big Dunc pulling on the shirt and making one final emotional appearance as a Toffee, and now it will see Rooney pay his own tribute to the man he has always acknowledged as "a big hero of mine".

The England captain and Everton Academy graduate played 67 times and scored 15 goals for the club, and the opportunity to honour both the man and the occasion by playing in Ferguson's testimonial game proved irresistible.

“As a young lad growing up in Croxteth, Duncan Ferguson was a hero of mine, as a young player at the Club he was an inspiration and when I broke into the first team he helped and looked after me," Rooney revealed.

"I cannot think of a better way to thank Dunc for all he did for me than turning out in his fully deserved testimonial match.

"Had he not asked me to play I would have gone and supported him on the day as I am sure most other Evertonians will."

For Ferguson, the gesture by his former team-mate to add his name to the team sheet for what is certain to be a memorable and impassioned afternoon has genuinely touched him and perhaps persuaded him even more to pull on the shirt himself one last time.

“I'm absolutely delighted that the wee man has agreed to play in the game," he said.

"Everybody knows that we go way back. I knew him as a kid, he's a top man and I'm proud as his friend that he's fulfilled the potential we always knew was there.

"Wayne's a world-class player and I'm genuinely thrilled that he will play on the day, just as I'm so grateful to the Club for putting on this game."

The playing of Villarreal has an added dimension, too, with Ferguson having what appeared to be a fair goal controversially disallowed by referee Pierluigi Collina when Everton trailed Villarreal 3-2 on aggregate in the dying moments of a Champions League qualifying game in 2004/05.

Everton's hopes of playing in the group stages were dashed in an instant and Ferguson retired as a player at the end of that season.

Tickets are now on sale for Duncan Ferguson’s Testimonial on Sunday August 2 at Goodison Park against Villarreal, with kick-off at 15.00.

Everton reveal 2015/16 away kit

Ross Barkley sporting
the new away kit.

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Everton Football Club

Everton have revealed the new away kit for the 2015/16 season, which the team will wear for the first time on Saturday July 18 in the Barclays Asia Trophy in Singapore.

The new kit, designed by Umbro, comprises of a white crew-neck shirt with grey detailing, black shorts and white socks.

The reverse of the away shirt, like the home shirt, carries an 'NSNO' insignia on the back of the neck area, a reference to the Club’s ‘Nil Satis Nisi Optimum’ motto.

The new lightweight away shirt is predominantly white with eye-catching grey graphic detailing on the sleeves and side panel areas. It is constructed using highly technical performance materials, including a lightweight textured mesh on the back of the shirt for maximum ventilation. Shaped mesh underarm panels offer maximum fit and movement.

The black shorts feature contrast grey panelling for an eye-catching look, together with a mesh back panel for comfort, movement, and breathability. Double welt socks in white with a grey hoop and trim complete the strip.

The new away kit is available to pre-order from evertondirect.com and Everton One and Everton Two from today, July 14, and will go on sale on Wednesday July 29, both in-store and online. The kit is available in the full range of sizes for men, women, juniors, infants and babies.

Romelu Lukaku modelling
the new away kit.

Speaking about the 2015/16 away kit, club record signing Romelu Lukaku commented: “The new away kit looks great. It's fresh and smart and we are looking forward to wearing it in Singapore for the Barclays Asia Cup, as well as in the upcoming season.”

This season, Everton and retail partner Kitbag have rolled out a new Click and Collect service that offers a more convenient collection method for supporters who order merchandise online.

As well as still being able to collect their purchases from either of the two Everton stores, supporters are now able to pick up their parcels from any of the 5,000 Hermes Click and Collection partner sites throughout the UK. For more information about the Click and Collect service, visit www.evertondirect.com.

More information on the 2015/16 Everton away kit available at www.evertonfc.com/born. To pre-order the new kit visit evertondirect.com, Everton One or Everton Two.

Gerard Deulofeu: The Everton fans drew me back

Gerard Deulofeu (Image Source:
Everton Football Club)

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Everton Football Club

Gerard Deulofeu has revealed that his strong affinity with Everton’s fans was a key factor behind his decision to return to Goodison Park.

The Spaniard has officially rejoined the Toffees on a three-year deal, following last week’s announcement that a €6million agreement had been struck with Barcelona.

Deulofeu fondly remembers how the Club’s supporters backed him when he was on loan in 2013/14.

The winger also explained how, prior to completing his transfer, he was inundated with messages from excited Evertonians keen to hear more news about his impending move back to Merseyside.

“I had a great year when I was here last,” the winger said in an exclusive interview to evertontv. “I really enjoyed my time here. I felt loved by the Evertonians and I was surrounded by really good teammates. I’m very happy to be back.

“The fans here are great and I felt really supported by them. Obviously I went back to Barcelona and then Sevilla but here, the fans live for their football.

“The Everton fans have been sending me messages all the time on social media, on Instagram and Twitter, asking me questions. If I have got 50 notifications on Twitter, 40 of them will be from Everton fans asking what is going on!

“Both myself and my girlfriend feel very supported by the fans and I just hope this year I can work really hard and give them back some of the happiness that they deserve.”

Deulofeu has disclosed that he was the subject of interest from several clubs, but he only had one intention.

“Of course there were other options, but I always said right from the start that I wanted to come back to Everton, and you can ask my agent and he will say the same,” he added.

“This is where I feel happy, this is where I feel like I am loved by the fans. The fans support me; they always send me messages, so this was where I wanted to come back to.”

You can watch the interview by clicking the link to the right.

Everton In The Community scoop international award

Ian Nuttall and Denise
Barrett-Baxendale with the
award received by
Everton In The Community.

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Everton Football Club

Denise Barrett-Baxendale has paid tribute to “the huge amount of hard work, enterprise and courage shown every day by the Club, our fans, the Community scheme and all of our volunteers and participants” after Everton in the Community won the Outstanding Achievement Award at TheStadiumBusiness Awards 2015 in Barcelona.

Everton’s Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Executive of Everton in the Community accepted the prestigious award on Wednesday evening in Barcelona’s Camp Nou Stadium, the culmination of TheStadiumBusiness Summit which brings together senior industry figures from stadium sports businesses around the world.

Now in their sixth year, TheStadiumBusiness Awards are the only awards to recognise a whole spectrum of achievements from across the global stadium industry.

Everton’s multiple award-winning charity was recognised by an international judging panel for outstanding delivery of dedicated programmes which focus on education, health and wellbeing, exercise, disability, social inclusion and community cohesion and which positively impact people’s lives daily.

As well as representing Everton at TheStadiumBusiness Awards, Denise and Everton’s Director of Marketing and Communications, Richard Kenyon, delivered a keynote presentation at the Fan Experience Forum, showcasing the Club’s work in engaging with supporters all year round.

Denise commented: “I feel really privileged to accept this award in such prestigious company and such an amazing venue. This award reflects the huge amount of hard work, enterprise and courage shown every day by the Club, our fans, the Community scheme and all of our volunteers and participants.

“While it is me who was called up on stage to accept this accolade, it really is recognition for the many people who, both now and in the past, have shown determination and ambition to help drive us forward and make these positive impacts in people’s lives.

“Five years ago we committed to being the best sporting charity in the UK. To be described as the best in Europe not only reflects the breadth and quality of our work but motivates us to continue to deliver in line with our fans’ expectations - embodied by our Nil Satis ethos.”

Hundreds of nominations were whittled down to create the shortlist, some of which were voted for by the industry and some judged by an independent panel of industry figures, including: Andrew Daniels, CEO, Adelaide Oval; Al Guido, COO, San Francisco 49ers; Marie Lindqvist, GM, Stockholm Globe Arenas; Roger Maslin, MD, Wembley Stadium; Peter McKenna, Stadium & Commercial Director, Croke Park; Julian Jenkins, CEO, Servette FC; Richard Peddie, Former CEO, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment; Ian Nuttall, founder of TheStadiumBusiness/Xperiology.

Ian Nuttall, founder of TheStadium Business Awards, added: “Congratulations to everyone who reached the podium. Winners included our industry’s leaders, achievers and stand-out venues, who should all be very proud of their achievements.

“Everton is a club that makes a real difference in the lives of people at the heart of its community every day and its accomplishments are inspirational. Denise represents that commitment in the most fantastic way and for the accolade of Outstanding Achievement, the choice was crystal clear. The work the Club does sets the standard across Europe, and probably beyond.”

The Judging Panel endorsed this in their comments: “We are recognising Denise’s ongoing work delivering outstanding results for Everton Football Club, both in the community and at club level. Denise has played an integral part in improving the matchday experience of supporters, in turn helping to increase attendances and enhance Everton’s reputation both nationally and abroad.”

Everton to sign Tom Cleverley

Tom Cleverley during his loan spell at
Aston Villa. (Image Source: BBC
Sport; Copyright: Getty Images)

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Everton Football Club

Everton have agreed a deal to sign Tom Cleverley when his contract expires at Manchester United on July 1.

The 25-year-old England midfield player will arrive on a five-year contract, becoming the first signing of the summer by manager Roberto Martinez.

Cleverley, a key figure in the team which won the Premier League title in Sir Alex Ferguson’s final season as manager at Old Trafford, made 38 Premier League appearances last season, 37 of which were on a season-long loan for Aston Villa.

Cleverley has been called up to the England squad for the upcoming friendly against the Republic of Ireland and the Euro 2016 qualifier against Slovenia, having secured 13 caps since making his debut in England’s first match after Euro 2012 in a 2-1 win against Italy at the Stade de Suisse in Bern.

He went on to play a big part in England’s qualification for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, featuring in seven of the 10 group H games.

Manager Martinez said: “We are extremely delighted to be welcoming Tom to Everton and I can think of many reasons as to why our fans will enjoy Tom representing our football club.

“The most important one is that he is a perfect fit for what we are trying to build here as he has so much experience of playing in the Premier League and he still has his best years just ahead of him.

“At the age of 25 and a player who is representing his country, Tom has experienced winning trophies and having big roles in demanding teams. Having worked with him previously, I know the type of character he is and I know that, with the Everton fans’ support, we will get a very special footballer joining our already exciting team.

“It says a lot also, when someone like Tom is available on a free transfer and he can pick his next club out of many options home and abroad, that he has chosen to play for our football club. That’s the perfect start to his career here at Everton.”

Blues leader nominated for international award

Denise Barrett-Baxendale

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Everton Football Club

Everton’s Deputy Chief Executive has become the only UK sports leader to be shortlisted for a prestigious award at the international Stadium Business Awards 2015.

Denise Barrett-Baxendale, who is also Chief Executive Officer of Everton in the Community, has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Executive of the Year category alongside global sports leaders from Baltimore Ravens, LA Dodgers and Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, among others.

Launched in 2010, The Stadium Business Awards recognise leadership, innovation and achievements in the global sports and stadium industry, and the winners will be announced at a gala dinner at FC Barcelona’s Camp Nou stadium on Wednesday June 10.

Denise commented: “It is a great honour to be nominated in this category alongside such prestigious international peers from across the world of sport.

“At Everton we continually work to break the boundaries and be the first to cover new ground whether that be as a football club, as Everton in the Community, or both. It gives me great pride to be shortlisted in this category as the only UK nominee and represent my club, charity and colleagues.”

In her dual role at Everton, Denise directs the non-football operations side of the club and its direct charitable engagement with the local community.

Since her appointment as Chief Executive Officer of Everton in the Community in January 2010, the charity has received a plethora of local, national and international award wins in recognition of the life-changing work it undertakes on a daily basis. Meanwhile, Denise’s Club position sees her working to improve fan engagement, the matchday experience for supporters and raising standards within the club.