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Nick Barmby joined Everton from Middlesbrough in October 1996 for £5.75
million. The Toffees were looking for someone to add a creative spark to
their industrious side and Barmby seemed to fit the bill perfectly.
Accustomed to playing behind the two front men he was already a full
England international. During his first two seasons at the club, Barmby
mainly played as an out and out striker and struggled to find the sort
of form that a free role had previously given him. He managed a tally of
only 6 goals from 55 appearances in those first two seasons with the
Toffeemen.
Nick eventually settled into life with the Merseyside club in
the 1998/99 season, filling a number of roles across the midfield.
Unfortunately, injury hit as he was beginning to show his true potential
and he was less effective over the closing few months. A rejuvenated
Barmby returned fully fit for the start of the 1999/2000 campaign. Free
from injury and with improved stamina combined with his skills, he
produced the form that the Evertonians had been looking for. He finished
the season with 9 league goals from midfield including his first ever
senior hat-trick, against West Ham in a 4-0 away victory. His
willingness to work and versatility attracted the attention of the
national coach, Kevin Keegan, and Barmby returned to the England fold
after more than three years away.
He was named in the squad for the 2000
European Championships in Holland and Belgium and returned ready to
continue where he left off at Goodison Park. However, with his contract
due to expire in less than a year and no new deal agreed, Everton had to
let go of one of their most valuable assets and Barmby controversially
moved across Stanley Park to local rivals Liverpool the same Summer. His
133 games for the club had yielded 24 goals in all competitions. (Chris Williams)
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