Simply The Best

Moyesy rates Nige as the best signing he has ever made as a manager. Nige who was forced to retire with ankle problems after 100 appearances for the Blues, never let the side down, and Moyesy is quick to point that out.

Nige himself has thanked the fans for their tremendous support over the years, and he rates the 0-0 draw against the shite at Analfield a few seasons ago as his finest performance in a Blue, or green shirt. Thanks for the memories Nige, put your feet up and enjoy your retirement.

Moyesy says: "It was sad news. It may have been news we have been expecting for a while but there was always a little bit of hope maybe his ankle would heal and we could have had him back. But the news was that it wasn't to be. I would say Nigel is the best signing I have ever made. We got him for next to nothing and I think if you look back it is difficult to remember a mistake Nigel Martyn made. He was a great professional and terrific to have in the dressing room. He is a great man and someone who you could look at and know you were going to get a really good, reliable performance from. He was excellent around the club and someone we are going to miss badly. He is someone who has a terrific sense of humour. He was excellent for us all but he was also very respectful and very humble. By his performances you could see why he was once England's number one goalkeeper."

Nige says: "The supporters have been fantastic from day one. It was a difficult situation with having not gone to the club a few years ago - it had the potential to be quite awkward.

I hoped that by trying my best and giving my best in every game I would win the fans over and, to be honest, they were fantastic from the first day and they always will be. The highlight for me was the 0-0 draw at Anfield. It was my first Merseyside derby match and we went there and I had quite a decent game. It is nice to give a performance like that to the supporters. It was important because we had not done too well against them in previous years so that was a personal high point for me." (09/06/06)

Nige Forced To Retire

Big Nige has had to retire, after learning his ankle bone had not healed and he would have to have another operation to pin the bones back together.

Big Nige says: "Yesterday I had a follow up CT scan which was checking to see if the crack in the bone had healed any, which is what we needed at the time but it clearly shiowed no healing. It means I will have to have another operation to pin the bones back together. I had to get on the phone to the manager after making the decision between myself, Baz the physio, John the consultant and my wife. It was a decision based on being able to live a normal sort of life afterwards - that was the primary concern because it is a nasty bone to have a problem in.Once we made that decision the gaffer needed to be informed.

I have loved every minute of my time at Everton. I have a lot to be thankful to Everton for because I was languishing at the Leeds at the time. I was out of favour at Elland Road because I would not go on a tour and so I will always be thankful to the manager for putting his faith in me and giving me another chance. To be able to play two and a half seasons was a big thing for me because it meant I could finish my career properly." (08/06/06)

Today's The Day

Wayne Rooney wasn't the only player waiting on a scan result today, as Everton keeper Nigel Martyn went to see if his career is over or not. Nige has been plagued by a troublesome ankle injury, and Moyesy is willing to offer the veteran keeper a one year deal if the scan is a positive one.

Basil goes into detail and says: "Nigel was having his scan this morning and seeing the consultant this afternoon." (07/06/06)

D Day Wednesday

Everton's No. 1. Nigel Martyn will find out the results of his scan on his long term ankle injury this Wednesday. Reports suggest that it is not going to be good news for the 39yr old ex England keeper, and he will be forced to hang his gloves up for good. If however the news is positive, Moyesy is willing to offer Nige a twelve month contract, no doubt as No.2 to Everton's new on loan signing Tim Howard. (04/06/06)

Long Wait For Nige

With Nige's season over through injury, he now has been told he must wait until June before the medical team can judge whether he can play on. Only then will boss David Moyes make a decision on the goalkeeper's future contract.

Mick Rathbone say: "Nigel saw the specialist this week. His foot is still in the boot and he will go back in six weeks to find out more." (01/05/06)

Carry On Nige

Big Nige who has been sidelined since January with his troublesome ankle injury is hoping to play on with the Blues past his 40th birthday. Nige who was touted around for the England keepers spot in the last year, still keeps himself fit, and this news must give Moyesy a bit of breathing space, with the likes of Ian Turner and John Ruddy still learning their trade.

Nige says: "I feel like there is life left as a player. Obviously, I've got to make sure this heals well but then I should be okay. Given my age, I felt so fit and really great. I was enjoying it and playing well so it's just a frustrating thing to happen." (11/04/06)

We're Not Making Plans For Nigel

A hairline fracture could spell the end of Nigel Martyn's Everton career.

Moyesy says: "We have found a small hairline fracture deep inside a joint in Nigel's ankle and he is going to be out of action for six weeks. I hope Nigel has not played his last game for us. He has done great for us, is a great lad and is great to have around. I hope that his ankle heals.

I won't make a decision on any contracts until the end of the season, whether it is Nigel or anyone else. He's 39 now and he's picked up an unusual injury. He's pretty gutted about it. He is a great goalkeeper and he just didn't think his ankle has been right and the checks have shown up something else. We are going to have to look at the injury differently, and he will have to rest. He will do well to come back again this season.

It is a really strange injury. It's only just shown up in the bone scans in the last two weeks. He'd actually started to do some training, and we went to get him checked and this has shown up. The specialists have said that because it is unusual he has to rest for four to six weeks." (18/03/06)

Doing Well

Bazza Rathbone is happy with the way it is going for Nige but still expects him to be out of action for a month or so.

Bazza says: 'I took Nigel back to the consultant yesterday for his two and a half week check up after his ankle operation, and the guy seems pleased with the way he is going.'

'Nige is doing some light training, swimming and stuff like that now so we will see how it goes over the next three or four weeks.'(28/02/06)

Nige on The Mend

Nige is still weeks away from starting again for the Blues, due to his ropey ankles after years of playing footy. The diagnosis however on Frank Spen...., sorry Dickie Wright is much more promising, and the No.2 should be back in the sticks in the next fortnight. As a consequence Moyesy has signed Sander Westerveld as cover, and the Dutchman will definitely start on Saturday.

Basil says: "Nigel had an operation he played for about six or seven games with a real swollen ankle. He had footballer's ankle, which is an accumulation of years and years of jumping and twisting and kicking the ball.

He has had it all cleaned out and it went well. He is now two and a bit weeks into it and we were looking at a six-week job so he is making good progress and we will start the rehab on Monday."

Moyesy says: "Nigel is wearing a pot around his ankle and is on crutches but Richard is doing well. We thought he might have had a chance for Newcastle but it just came too quickly for him." (23/02/06)

Still A Month Away From Fitness

Big Nige is recuperating after his ankle surgery, but thinks he still will be away for a few more weeks.

Nige says: "I had the operation a week ago so I am maybe four or five weeks away from coming back. I've got to make sure I do the rehab correctly and then get myself fit, hopefully for the end of the season run-in. It's known as 'footballer's ankle', which is general wear and tear after years of running around, diving and kicking a ball, so the joint has been cleaned out." (18/02/06)

Anyone know A Goalie?

Big Nige will be out longer than expected after he had an op on his troublesome ankle.

Moyesy says: “Nigel Martyn had an operation on his ankle problem yesterday and as everyone knows Richard Wright went over on his ankle tonight. An x-ray has showed that there is no real damage to Wrighty but is badly swollen and there is a problem. At this moment in time I would say he could be out for a couple of weeks but I don’t know how long we will be without Nigel, we need to look at the results.” (09/02/06)

Carry on Nige

Just like Fulchester United's Billy the Fish, Moyesy is hoping that Nige continues his playing career for years to come. Moyesy rates the ex England keeper so highly that he can see him carrying on in the Everton sticks well past his 40th birthday. Nige makes his 99th appearance for the Blues this weekend, and hopefully he will help steer the Blues into the last 16 of the FA Cup.

Moyesy says: "I think the thing about Nigel since he has been here has been his consistency and reliability. In the main, you can count the amount of mistakes he has made on one hand. That's what we need. But not only that, you see him pull off the type of save he made against Arsenal. He had very little to do but at that point in the game it was a crucial save from Freddie Ljungberg. That's why we value him so highly.

I'm sure he wants to stay on but it is a bit too early for us to make any decisions yet. With respect to the older players, we need them to nearly see a full season out before we do that." (26/01/06)

50/50

He may be 50/50 for Sunday, but the news is that Nigel Martyn's fitness is improving, and Basil has him in the gym doing some light work, like redecorating the toilet block. Basil's only concern is about Nige kicking the ball and aggravating the injury, which is a bit of a blow when you are a footballer.

He is comfortable now and he will be doing some light gym work today. I would hope he won't be out too long but the one thing is that he will have to kick the ball which is at the back of my mind. It was just as well the injury was just before half time as I wouldn’t have liked him to take a goal kick. We were quite relieved to get him back in the safety of the dressing room." (06/12/05)

Scan Today

Big Nige will have a scan today to see if he will be fit to play against Man Ure on Sunday. Nige has a groin strain at the end of the first half with Blackburn. Moyesy hoped he would recover during the break but decided to use Dickie Wright.

Moyesy says: “I don’t know at present. We will need to wait and see because he had to come off. It was five minutes before half-time. He could have done with coming off but we hoped he would get through. At half-time it was no good and we had to make the change but it gives Wrighty an opportunity if he is not fit but we will hope Nigel will pull through.” (05/12/05)

I'd Play For England if Sven Asks

Although Big Nige hasn't played for his country for yonks, he would be happy to add to his 23 caps for the World Cup campaign in the Summer.

Nige says: "I'd play if Sven asked me. I'm very pro-England, whatever sport it is - football, cricket, tennis or golf. At my age all the travelling takes up time and my family are very important to me. But if would be worth it if I'm going to play for England. Not if I'm on the bench though. I wouldn't say no if Sven asked me to play in Germany in the World Cup.

Paul Robinson is brilliant but the downside is we've got Robert Green and Chris Kirkland but they haven't played for England. So you don't know how they'll cope in a World Cup. His experienced keepers are David James and me - if he needs us he can turn to us." (04/12/05)

Martyn For England

Former England goalie and now Everton's goalkeeping coach, Chris Woods thinks Big Nige should be in the England squad.

Chris Woods says: "Having left David James out of his last squad, I was a bit surprised that the manager didn't consider Nigel once Chris Kirkland was forced to pull out through injury." (13/11/05)

Top Dog For October

Nigel Martyn is Everton's OPTA Player of the Month for October. The 39yr old keeper won the accolade during the month when Everton stopped the stream train which is Chelski. Nige also kept a clean sheet against Brum, and made vital saves in the game as well. Nige has been an ever present this season, and for his prize he wins a year free supply of Gardening Gloves donated by B+Q. He is also entered into the OPTA Player of the Season Competition, which carries an overall prize of a trip for four to a Freddie Starr weekend at your local Butlins Holiday Camp. (03/11/05)

Counter Attack

The away leg in Bucharest may suit Everton. Nige believes with Dinamo forced on the attack, it could leave them open to a counter attack.

Big Nige says: "Bucharest will be a different type of game because there will be more onus on them to attack, so there should be more space for us to exploit and let's hope that's the case."

Your Country Needs You

Everton keeper Nige Martyn is keeping his options open with a view to next years World Cup in Germany. With Paul Robinson the undoubted England No.1, the reserve spec is up for grabs after Calamity James's horror show in Denmark last week. Nige says he has never actually retired from the International scene, but that seems to be the general misconception. Have a word Sven.

Nige says: "It is a tough question. You never say no to your country if it comes calling. What I can say is that I have benefited from my brief time with Everton. I think it's not being away with those squads and having days to rest. That enabled me to prolong my career because those trips are hard, you are training constantly. But it is World Cup year and I guess you don’t rule anything out, really." (24/08/05)

Catch Them off Guard

Nigel Martyn's experience in the Champions League this season will be invaluable to the Blues. Nige who got all the way to the semi's with Leeds in 2001, believes Everton need to catch a few teams unaware in the Campaign. If we make the Group Stages, there will be few clubs who will enjoy the pressure cooker atmosphere of Goodison on a Winters evening.

Nige says:"I have played in the Champions League before and we had to go through the qualifying phase as well. What we did was catch a few teams unaware and that’s what we’re going to have to do this year." (25/07/05)

Confidence in Moyesy

Veteran keeper Nigel Martyn has confidence in Moyesy's dealing's in the transfer market. While Everton have lost out on a host of money grabb..., sorry players to other clubs, Nige reckons it won't be long till we see more new faces at Bellefield prior to our Premiership and Champions League campaigns. Jesus that felt great writing that, again Premiership, and Champions League Campaigns. Ooooh, I'm going for a cold shower.

Nige says: "He knows who he wants to bring in and we are confident that new players will soon arrive at the training ground in time for the season. I am sure, as our the other lads here, that the boss will be able to improve the squad soon." (19/07/05)

Attention To Detail

Nige Martyn is pin pointing Moyesy's attention to detail as the reason the club achieved so much last season. Nige, who was away with the squad last week in Austria, is still made up that the great team ethic he seen last season, is still there this season.

Nige says: "The manager is very methodical. His preparation is meticulous and what he does is make sure there is nothing more he can do. He sends his team out as prepared and organised as he can. Once we are out there he is at our will a little bit but we do our best to reward him back. We know what each other's jobs are, we know what is expected and we have a great team spirit which makes you want to do that. If you don't have that team spirit then sometimes players don't go out and try as hard as maybe they should." (14/07/05)

Last Season's Nigel Martyn

Everton Squad 2005/06