The Rise Of Rooney: 20 Years On

It’s just over 20 years since a 16-year-old boy left school in the summer and smashed his way into Premier League folklore in the autumn! Wayne Rooney was a once-in-a-lifetime talent who came through the Academy ranks at Everton to become England’s greatest ever goalscorer. In this latest Official Everton Podcast, Darren Griffiths, Dave Prentice and Gavin Buckland discuss his famous emergence, his contribution over two spells and his legacy. Contributors include James McFadden, Mark Pembridge, FA Youth Cup team-mate Steven Schumacher, and former Academy Director Ray Hall. We also speak to Paul Whitfield - the first goalkeeper to ever concede a senior goal against Wayne Rooney! He was between the sticks at the Racecourse Ground when the boy-wonder netted twice in a League Cup victory against Wrexham. Rooney was one of our own. A scouser, a prodigy, a world-class performer who conquered the world. But he still divides opinions among Evertonians.