Source: Liverpool_Echo
Jermaine Beckford can’t wait for new season to prove Everton FC doubters wrong
Jermaine Beckford 300[LNB]FOR a player with pace to burn, it's no surprise when Jermaine Beckford says he wants to hit the ground running with Everton.[LNB]After applying the finishing touches to a four-year deal with the Blues, the former Leeds United hotshot quickly turned his sights to continuing a prolific goalscoring record that prompted a host of top clubs to sit up and take notice.[LNB]While Aston Villa, West Ham, and Newcastle were all said to be in the hunt for Beckford's signature, word had also spread as far as Serie A from where Parma were known to be sending admiring glances.[LNB]Named the League One player of the year in 2007/08 and 2009/10, the intervening season saw Beckford scoop the division's golden boot courtesy of the 34 goals he scored; an Elland Road best since the heady days of John Charles some 56 years ago.[LNB]Just three less last season took his tally to 85 in 149 appearances for Leeds.[LNB]With a ratio like that, Beckford has been tipped for bigger and better things for some time.[LNB]Now it's arrived, he intends to take it with both feet.[LNB]'I've been fortunate enough to score goals at every club I've been at,' said the 26-year-old, who completed his free transfer to Goodison yesterday.[LNB]'Hopefully I can bring that with me to Everton and hit the ground running.'[LNB]The last of Beckford's goals for Leeds was the one that finally saw them clinch promotion on the last day of the season.[LNB]Already down to 10 men, Leeds then went a goal behind to Bristol Rovers. However, spurred on by their captain for the day, Beckford, they got back into it before the top scorer grabbed the winner to seal promotion.[LNB]For a player whose effort and attitude have at times been questioned by the Leeds support, it was an inspired piece of man-management by manager Simon Grayson to hand Beckford the armband.
