Tips for new boy Shayne from Everton legends

Everton legend Royle, both a player and manager at Goodison, is now helping with the youth development at the club alongside David Unsworth, also revered on the blue half of Merseyside.

“My advice to Shayne is to listen, learn and enjoy yourself,” said Joe, still the last manager to win a trophy at Everton.

“At 16 it is a wonderful time for a young footballer coming into the game. In these modern times footballers are going to retire wealthy people with nothing to worry about. If Shayne makes the grade at Everton and I’m hearing terrific reports about him it would be fantastic. It was touch and go if we brought him over for the tour to Ireland.

“He just has to work hard and keep scoring goals.”

Under 21 manager Unsworth says hard work day in and day out is what is needed to bring rewards.

“I saw a lot of Shayne when he came over on trial and he certainly impressed me,” said David.

“He can play anywhere along the front line, he is strong and competitive and hungry and that is one aspect that really stood out for me.

“He has got that hunger to be a good player and to be successful. He is in the system now, he has to get his head down and work his socks off every single day he is in that full-time environment. We will support him and be patient and who knows at the end of it we may have a player who will play in our first team.”

During his trial in March Shayne played for the Under16s, managed by former Everton and Republic international Kevin Sheedy, and scored four goals in a 6-0 win over Rotherham. He also scored against Manchester United. Following the game Everton offered him a two year scholarship contract.