Source: Liverpool_Echo
Merseyside Sport Review of 2009: Distant days when the city went springing towards glory
IT was a year of two halves. The first half brought near misses for Everton and Liverpool, but the promise of better things to come. The second half, well . . . let's just say 2010 can't come quick enough.[LNB]But that was only on the football field.[LNB]In gymnastics, boxing and basketball Merseyside enjoyed a glittering year.[LNB]Here's the words and pictures which made up 2009.[LNB]JANUARY[LNB]LEST auld acquaintance be forgot . . . some hope![LNB]Everton and Liverpool kicked off the New Year with a trio of derbies - after Dave Beasant's giant hands plucked out the first FA Cup derby for 18 years from the FA's drum.[LNB]Before the first of the Mersey clashes could kick-off though, Rafa kicked off on Fergie.[LNB]As he spoke at a Melwood press conference, he had in his hand a piece of paper. But it was all-out war rather than 'peace for our time' that it promised.[LNB]Alex Ferguson said: 'There's no doubt they will get nervous.'[LNB] Rafa responded with a series of 'facts' - criticising Alex Ferguson's lack of respect for officials, the FA and the fixture planners.[LNB]When Everton secured successive draws at Anfield, in Premier League and then Cup, the pundits claimed Ferguson had won the psychological battle.[LNB]Jermaine Pennant left Anfield to move on-loan to Portsmouth.[LNB]Off the football field Everton Tigers claimed their first domestic title, lifting the BBL Cup by blitzing Plymouth Raiders at the NIA Arena in Birmingham.[LNB]QUOTES OF THE MONTH[LNB]'It does now seem as if certain individuals are determined to ruin Everton Football Club.'[LNB]An Everton official after Liverpool City Council rejected planning permission to build on the site of Bellefield. There was worse to follow later in the year.[LNB]'Robbie Keane does not want to leave Liverpool. When he signed for Liverpool last summer he said it was his dream move.'[LNB]A well meaning pal of the soon to be Spurs' bound striker.[LNB]'You could say he is our La Vision de Oro.'[LNB] Everton chairman Bill Kenwright shows off his master of tongues in comparing Mikel Arteta to The Golden Vision.[LNB]'It might be Everton's turn this year to win the FA Cup, who knows? I've got a sneaking feeling for them. They just need a little bit of luck.'[LNB]Like his Everton managerial career, Gordon Lee nearly got it right, but not quite.[LNB]'Rafa is going to be manager of Liverpool for the next five years. and we'll work through these little lawyer issues.'[LNB]Tom Hicks after Rafael Benitez had rejected a contract offer because of the lack of overall control offered.
