NEV TO BE RE-UNITED

Tuesday 1 July 2008, 17:02
by Adam Clark @adamclark_efc

Colorado Rapids midfielder Terry Cooke is relishing locking horns with a childhood friend and former team-mate when Everton travel to America next month.

The exiled Englishman hit a match-winning penalty when Phil Neville captained Manchester United to FA Youth Cup glory over Tottenham in 1995.

The pair have been good friends ever since and Cooke, who has been plying his trade in the MLS since leaving Sheffield Wednesday in 2005, is keen on a reunion.

“It will be good to catch up with him again,” Cooke told Evertonfc.com. “I saw him before when Everton came over but hopefully I’ll have a bit more time to take him for a drink and show him around Denver a little bit.

“I’ve known Phil since we were young kids and we used to room together on away trips. We also played through the England ranks together so we’re good friends.”

Cooke is also excited about taking on English opposition, predicting the August 3 encounter will provide the perfect pre-season test for David Moyes’ side.

He said: “It'll be great. All the other teams seem to have played against English sides but this is the first time I will have since I moved to the States.

“We like to play at a quick tempo at home, we try to get the ball down and play a bit, but we’re quite direct as well.

“We’re going to be halfway through our season too so we’ll obviously be fitter. And Everton will find it very hard coming here because of the altitude and the heat. It does take some getting used to.

“I think all the lads will be up for the game and will be aiming to give a good account of themselves.”

Look out on Evertonfc.com for more from Terry Cooke in the build up to the Colorado fixture as we find out about his friendship with Neville, their rise through the Manchester United ranks and whether he thinks the Everton captain is cut out for management.