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.But that was only on the football field.In gymnastics, boxing and basketball Merseyside enjoyed a glittering year.Here's the words and pictures which made up 2009.JANUARYLEST auld acquaintance be forgot . . . some hope!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.Before the first of the Mersey clashes could kick-off though, Rafa kicked off on Fergie.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.Alex Ferguson said: 'There's no doubt they will get nervous.' Rafa responded with a series of 'facts' - criticising Alex Ferguson's lack of respect for officials, the FA and the fixture planners.When Everton secured successive draws at Anfield, in Premier League and then Cup, the pundits claimed Ferguson had won the psychological battle.Jermaine Pennant left Anfield to move on-loan to Portsmouth.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.QUOTES OF THE MONTH'It does now seem as if certain individuals are determined to ruin Everton Football Club.'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.'Robbie Keane does not want to leave Liverpool. When he signed for Liverpool last summer he said it was his dream move.'A well meaning pal of the soon to be Spurs' bound striker.'You could say he is our La Vision de Oro.' Everton chairman Bill Kenwright shows off his master of tongues in comparing Mikel Arteta to The Golden Vision.'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.'Like his Everton managerial career, Gordon Lee nearly got it right, but not quite.'Rafa is going to be manager of Liverpool for the next five years. and we'll work through these little lawyer issues.'Tom Hicks after Rafael Benitez had rejected a contract offer because of the lack of overall control offered.

Source: Liverpool_Echo