July

Finch Farm opened its doors again in July as Everton’s players returned for pre-season training.

Barely a ball had been kicked, however, before the squad was whisked off to Austria for a gruelling fitness camp among the mountains of the Alps.

There was a new face along for the ride too as Steven Naismith joined on a free transfer to become David Moyes’ first addition of a productive summer.

The games also began in earnest and after a 4-1 stroll at Morecambe there were sterner tests north of the border against Dundee United and Motherwell.

Still, the Blues would head into August undefeated, a late Ross Barkley header earning a 1-0 win at Tannadice before Shane Duffy snatched a 1-1 draw at Fir Park.

July also saw the end of an era as, after 278 appearances and 68 goals, Tim Cahill packed his bags and headed off to the MLS.