Everton: Wayne Rooney speaks out about controversial incident, Jamie Carragher reacts
Wayne Rooney has revealed a hilarious story about when he was playing in the Everton academy setup under former Goodison Park favourite Colin Harvey.
Speaking on The Overlap on Wednesday (21 February), the ex-Toffees forward said he was crossing the road in the area of Liverpool where he grew up a couple of days before he was supposed to play in Harvey’s U-19s side despite being just 14 at the time.
But he had a bag of cider and a packet of cigarettes in his hand before realising that behind the wheel of the car that let him cross the road was none other than the Blues coach, with the story leading to his fellow guests on The Overlap bursting out into laughter.
Responding to the story on Twitter on Wednesday, Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher said he’s not sure one of the “Holy Trinity”, which Harvey was a part of alongside fellow Blues legends Howard Kendall and Alan Ball, would’ve been best pleased to see Rooney with a couple of cans.
“You obviously know where I grew up as well,” said Rooney. “It wasn’t an easy place to live, but I used to absolutely love growing up there, taught me so many different things.
“I remember when I was 14, I was crossing the road, I think it was a Thursday or something like that and I was playing for the U-19s on the Saturday for Everton.
“Colin Harvey was the manager, so I’m crossing the road, I’ve got a bag of cider, a packet of cigarettes, and a car stops to let me cross, it was Colin Harvey.”
Wayne Rooney unpopular with Everton legend Colin Harvey
It certainly wouldn’t have been the best way for Rooney to make a good impression on Harvey as he looked to make his way in the game.
He was clearly highly thought of at such a young age, though, having played for the youth team amongst players who were five years older than him.
The forward’s misdemeanour obviously didn’t hold him back from progressing into the first-team setup after making his debut just two years later at the age of 16.
The academy product would go on to have an incredible career, which saw him win numerous trophies with Manchester United and captain England before re-joining the Toffees later on in his career.
There hasn’t quite been a talent of his quality to progress through the ranks for the Blues since Rooney, but the club will be hoping they can stumble upon another gem before too long at Goodison.
In other Everton news, Alan Stubbs has raged at what has happened to the Toffees as he shared an appeal verdict.
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