Match Of The Day

John still can't believe he's made his Everton debut.

Ruddy says: "I am still trying to get over it. All weekend I was telling myself I had just played in the Premiership but it was so hard to believe considering where I had come from and that just eight months ago I was playing in League Two with Cambridge. I watched Match of the Day on Saturday night and my granddad taped it so I watched it on Sunday as well just to make sure I had not been dreaming. It is really surreal and I was delighted to have the opportunity. I will just have to see how it goes now. I got a lot of calls from friends I didn't know I had. It was all congratulations and it is nice to hear from people you have grown up with and who are congratulating you.

I have had loan spells at three different clubs this year so just to get the opportunity to sit on the bench (for Everton) delighted me. Coming on 89 minutes in last week would have been great, but nine minutes in was unbelievable and you can't put a price on it. I have played over 50 league games already in my career. Obviously it has not been at the Premiership level but it definitely helped. I felt comfortable as soon as I got my first touch and I settled down well. But, to be honest, I didn't really have a lot to do because the defence did so well. The nine players in front of me were absolutely outstanding." (19/02/06)

Praise From Martyn

First choice keeper, Nigel Martyn was full of praise when John Ruddy made his debut in unusual circumstances.

Big Nige says: "I was watching the Sky Sports News programme on Saturday afternoon and when they said that Iain had been sent-off, I though 'oh no!' but John came in and did very well. He kept a clean sheet and he made a very good save near the end. I have spoken to him and he was delighted with the way it went, quite rightly so, and he's keeping his fingers crossed that he may get another opportunity." (18/02/06)

Senior Debut

John Ruddy made his senior debut in goal against Blackburn when he came on as sub for his good mate, Iain Turner who had been sent off after only a few minutes. Jamie McFadden was the unlucky player to make way for him.

John says: "I saw it happen and I didn't think it was going to be a red card because it would have been a harsh decision. But it happened so quickly from the time Iain was sent-off to me getting my kit on and getting on the pitch - it was a blur. The referee was happy to wave his cards. I am devastated for Iain, I really am. It couldn't happen to a nicer bloke. He is a top bloke and he has waited so long for his opportunity and when it comes he gets robbed of it by some poor refereeing in my opinion.

I felt I did okay. There were a couple of things that should have been mine that I didn't come for but that will come with experience. It was my debut and the lads in front of me were unbelievable. Not just the defence, although the defence were outstanding and nothing was getting past them, but right through the midfield and even up front they were unbelievable and it was an incredible day.

It happened so quickly and it was a blur. I am happy to get it under my belt but it is only one game and I am not going to get carried away as it is only one game. You want to enjoy it, and at times you do when you do something. But then you think 'Oh my God this is a Premiership game, I am playing for three points here.' It is only one game and we will have to see what happens and if I will get my opportunity next time." (14/02/06)

Game On

John played his first game on Saturday for loan club Chester. A 2-1 defeat against Rushden & Diamonds.

Chester boss Keith Curle says: "John is a quality goalkeeper who has a bright future ahead of him in football. We are thankful to both the Football League for allowing this emergency loan to proceed and also to Everton who have come to our rescue in our hour of need."

Tony Allan, Chester secretary is hoping to keep Ruddy at the club.

Tony says: "We are applying to the Football League to be able to sign a goalkeeper, and we hope to be able to keep hold of John Ruddy." (19/12/05)

Off To Chester For A Week

John will join Chester City for a seven-day emergency loan spell. Keith Curle's side has only 10 fit players with both his goalkeepers injured. (16/12/05)

Ruddy Returns

Everton have recalled goalkeeper John Ruddy from his loan spell at Rushden & Diamonds. It looks like John will now play in the rezzies while Iain Turner gets a place on the bench while Big Nige is injured.

Rushden boss Barry Hunter says: "We are disappointed that he had had to leave so soon. It is Everton's prerogative and circumstances change." (09/12/05)

Off To Rushden & Diamonds

John is on his travels again. He joins Championship 2 team Rushden and Diamonds. This time until 10th December 2005. Both young keepers, Turner and Ruddy are away for the club leaving Dickie Wright in the Rezzies and on the bench for the first team. (09/11/05)

Return To Bellefield

Nineteen year old goalkeeper, John Ruddy is back at Bellefield after a month at Walsall. Although John admits he wasn't at his best, he got 5 games under his belt.

John says: "I have got games under my belt but at the same time I am disappointed with how I played down there. I didn't play on Saturday, which was the manager's decision and he is entitled to that because it is his team. But I have had the chance to play games and although I didn't play my best that is part of the learning curve and I can take that forward with me. I just wasn't on my best form. I didn't feel myself and I think that showed in my performances. The gaffer has said he will be looking to get me out on loan again, hopefully I will get that chance and I will be able to take this experience with me.

For a keeper, when you have a break from playing regularly it does affect your concentration levels. But I have learned from this and I will benefit from it. I think playing at different levels with different teams will all help me. I just want to get a chance to go out and play more games." (24/10/05)

Walsall Bound

Everton have allowed John to go to Walsall for a month's loan to get some much needed match practice.

Walsall Manager, Paul Merson says: "It's a weight off my mind to have him here because we have two tough games coming up in a short space of time where we need a big presence in goal and he will give us that. He is very highly-rated within the game and I am delighted to have him here initially for a month." (22/09/05)

Ruddy Eager

Now he is finally an Everton player, 18 year old John can't wait to get started and wants to play in the first team as soon as possible.

John says: “It will mean a lot to me to play for Everton. Not just personally but to give something back to Everton. They have taken a chance on me. Last season was my first season in professional football and they feel that I’ve shown enough promise to bring me to the club. Hopefully one day I’ll play for them in the Premiership and I’d like to do that as soon as possible.

At the start of the year I just want to settle down and get my feet under the table. Then I’ll see where it goes from there. I never expected to be playing first team football this time last year so it just goes to show that anything in football is possible. I just want to progress the best that I can, make as many steps as I can in the first year, but obviously I’ve got a four year contract so time’s on my side as well and we’ll just see how it goes.

One of the main aspects of why I chose Everton was because of the keepers they already have at the club, There’s the likes of former internationals Richard Wright and Nigel Martyn, plus you’ve got Iain Turner who’s a Scotland Under-21 international and then to top it all off there’s Chris Woods who’s the goalkeeping coach and another former England international.

If you want to learn off the best then you can’t go far wrong with those four. Coming up to Bellefield has been brilliant. I’d rather have done that than just being thrown straight in at the deep end in the summer. This way I’ve already mingled with the players and got to know a few of them. I’ll feel much more settled when I start pre-season training so I’ll just be able to focus on my game.”

Full Squad 2005/2006