Dixie Day Dream

It is painfully apparent that for a new legend to emerge at Everton the future Hall of Famer must have two very important attributes, loyalty and patience. These are obviously the very same areas of expertise we have gleaned as fans, which clearly signals where a true future great must rise from.

The last fan to have a slight glimmer of greatness in his eyes has now departed to fulfil his potential elsewhere . Naturally, a 'Champions' league club.

With that chance been and gone I was left wondering where we are to look to next. Are we to accept that Dean was one in a million and thank our lucky stars that we had him at all, at a time when money wasn't the game spoiler it is now? Or am I to cling to the faint hope that in my lifetime I will have the chance to see a truly iconic star play in the still much sought after royal blue jersey?

I have seen some tremendous players at Goodison, the memories of Tricky Trev still stirs the feeling of the greatness we once held, and of the future stars Mr Lescott has been a beacon of brilliance since the first time we saw him. However, neither are of the true great nature (although I hold out maybe unrealistic hopes for Lescott).

The truly legendary places at many clubs are invariably held by local lads (with a few notable exceptions in the ilk of Thierry Henry) who played on the local streets and pitches in their formative years. Until another local comes good there will be a void in the ever improving Everton team that needs filling, it has been that way ever since Mr Rooney decided he wasn't up to the daunting job.

William Dean is a man whom no player could ever wish to emulate and only a handful of players in football history could ever be spoken of in the same sentence. I may have my head in the blue clouds but I try to maintain my slim hope that one day we can find a worthy player who can be spoken of at least in the same book.