JP says: "I did not have a clue I was getting the award. I was made up and really buzzing. It has been a fantastic year. I played for Everton in the Youth Cup, went to Italy and France with England and now getting this award. I have a lot of people to thank for my development. My Mum, Dad, and brother Lee. Ray Hall, Neil Dewsnip and Gary Ablett from Everton and Paul Crawford, a learning mentor from school." (14/04/05)

England Goal For Vaughan

James, making his full debut, scored England's 1st goal beating Northern Ireland 3-0 at Molineux. He came on as sub for the last 20 minutes in the first game against Serbia & Montenegro. England coach John Peacock says: "I'm delighted for James Vaughan to get his first England goal. He came late into the international system but he's been doing well at Everton and I'd been watching him for a couple of months with a view to using him in this tournament. It's only his second cap having come off the bench on Saturday when he almost scored with his first touch but it's great for him to get the goal today.”
Everton’s other representative, Scott Phelan came on as sub and nearly scored, but his effort hit the post. England are favourites to go through and play The Republic of Ireland on Wednesday at Walsall. (28/03/05)

Fans View

Just got home from White Hart Lane good game, wrong result of 2-1 lads worked hard but missed a good few and hit the crossbar.
Paul Hopkins scored again and Paddy Boyle and Sean Wright were very good, but the player to keep in mind for the first team one day is Mark Hughes, a central defender who is in total control and can pass the ball out of defence...well worth the drive and my two son's got to meet the team and have a photo taken with the Shirt....Gary Ablett gave them.

Spurs 2 Everton 1

Everton's U18's were knocked out of the FA Youth Cup by Spurs 2-1 at White Heart Lane, but there were some good performances for the injury hit squad.

Gary Ablett says: “Overall, on the night I think it was a fair result. We probably shaded the first half in terms of possession and territory, but in all honesty the second half was very poor. On the plus side, Paul Hopkins took his goal well, got in front of the goalkeeper and placed a good header into the net. Craig Gallagher made two great saves at the start of the second half to keep us in the match and Laurence Wilson seems to be getting better and better at left back, his favourite position.

There’s still plenty to play for in the Academy league, reserve league and the Senior Cup." (16/02/05)

Everton 1, Charlton 0. (a.e.t) FA Youth Cup.

Everton: Gallagher, Wynne, Wilson, Boyle, Hughes, Harris, Fowler, Phelan, Hopkins, Vaughan, Seargeant.

Bench: Anichebe for Fowler (65m), Vidarsson for Harris (95m), Wright for Wilson (100m), Lake, Vidarsson, Kissock.

Goal: Seargeant (103m).

Everton went through to the next round of the FA Youth Cup, but had to wait until extra time to secure the win. Always the better team, Everton had plenty of chances, but failed to score in the 90minutes. Laurence Wilson had the first chance. His shot was tipped over the bar. From Andy Fowler's corner, Christian Seargent glanced a header just over after James Vaughan had nodded it back into the danger area. Paul Hopkins, Wilson and Fowler all went close in the first half. Everton skipper, Mark Hughes headed over the top. Everton just couldn't score. Vaughan's volley narrowly missed the post. Seargent should have scored, but like Cahill in the Derby missed a simple header. Everton's winner came from a throw-in, which was then crossed to the far post by Hopkins and this time Seargeant made no mistake from close range.

Everton will now play the winners of Yeovil v Luton. (14/12/04)