30 Jul 2014 12:47:11
I know its only a number but Besic in Timmy's old number mmmm not happy. TC is a legend should have retired it along with No 8, No9, No1, No 6, No 5, No 3, errr ohhh yes we've a lot of legends afterall haven't we.

1.) 30 Jul 2014
I don't agree with retiring numbers . After a while you have none left. If anything let's hope he can keep up the tradition of the number 17 shirt after Cahill

2.) 30 Jul 2014
Retiring numbers is something you do if a member of the playing staff at the time dies

3.) 30 Jul 2014
I also don't agree with retiring numbers.
The player who gets to wear a particular number after it has been worn by a great, long-serving player should imho do so with respect and look to emulate the performances of the former wearer.
So, anyone who, for instance, wears the number 9 shirt for Everton is following on from Dean and other great centre forwards (before and since) and should treat his custodianship of the number as an honour and a privilege.
A player's contribution is in people's memories and in the record books and retiring a shirt is just a gimmick that other sports (especially American) have introduced for marketing and PR reasons. (If I sound too cynical, so be it!)
Naming grounds, or stands, or gates, or awards after people is, I suggest, appropriate, as are statues or plaques or suchlike.
The best way to respect a former player would be to always warmly welcome them whenever they visit Everton and for the current team to show the same appetite and attitude and aptitude as the former player did in an Everton shirt.