Wayne Rooney: When Everton first signed striker - the inside story

Rooney on the night he signed professional terms, with then manager Walter Smith in attendance (second right)

Wayne Rooney's return to Everton after 13 years lends a certain romance to a record-breaking career. Here, through the eyes of Bob Pendleton - the former Everton scout who discovered him, we learn about the buzz, the tears and die-hard Goodison roots which go hand in hand with Rooney's rise and return.

I first saw Wayne Rooney playing on the Jeffrey Humble pitches on Long Lane, Walton. He was nine, and clearly lived for scoring goals. I didn't think then that this shy young man would become England's greatest goalscorer, but within two years I was absolutely certain it was going to happen.

Rooney's name was a talking point around the dozen or so pitches where Liverpool's Walton and Kirkdale Sunday League was played.
I was there every week for more than 35 years, volunteering in all sorts of roles. On one particular Sunday, I had to amble over to get £4.50 in fees from Copplehouse Boys, who Wayne was playing for at under-11s - two years early.
He lashed a goal in from 20 yards and dribbled for fun, normally passing the ball into the net when he had chances. You could see the satisfaction he got from hitting the net - it poured from him again and again. So small yet so strong, he'd demand the ball back if he ever needed to pass it.
I looked at his manager "Big Nev" and his reply was laced with a smile and hard luck. "Give over, Bob. If you take him to Everton he will be at the academy and won't be able to play for us. I've only just signed him."
I've followed Everton since 1948 week in, week out, and ended up scouting for the club. Of all those years, this day would be one of the most important.
A chat with Wayne's parents - Wayne Sr and Jeanette - revealed, to my relief, they were Evertonians. His dad had great humour and, naturally, was elated. We agreed young Wayne would come into Bellefield - Everton's training ground then - on the Thursday. A smooth deal then? Not quite.

'Liverpool were waiting'

Rooney's mother Jeanette and father Wayne were elated to see him taken to Everton

Wayne had already been in to train with Liverpool, and for whatever reason it hadn't worked. But the buzz had grown and I heard they were going to try and speak to him on the Tuesday, two days before his visit to Everton.
So we moved the Bellefield trip forward 48 hours. I believe Liverpool were waiting to speak to him when they were told exactly where he was.
You can take kids to Bellefield and they go stiff with nerves. These are big places after all. Not Wayne, he was unmoved. He was picking up stray balls and slamming them into the net when we went in.
I spoke to Ray Hall - who was in charge of the club's youth set-up for many, many years - and said: "You have to sign him."
Ray wondered if they should take a better look - which is normally what happened - and was curious as to why I was so worked up. I, of course, was fearful Liverpool would try again and I was so determined to get this done.
Joe Royle, manager at the time, was called into the office. I can see it now. Wayne, again unmoved, was sliding down his chair almost under the table.
"Sit up straight," muttered his dad, who was thrilled to speak to Joe.
All credit to Ray for trusting me. Yet in that office, on that key night, Wayne was the same as he always was at that age. Shy, and distracted by anything shaped like a ball. But, let's be clear, that shyness evaporated when he walked onto any pitch.

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Score today? 'Yeah, six…'

Rooney's early Everton career was shaped by Bob Pendleton (left) and Ray Hall (right)

The young man took to Everton rapidly. There were a few who thought he wasn't listening when instructions were being given, as he'd be kicking the ball in the air and all sorts, but then he'd go out and do what was being asked, so he soon showed them.
Quite early on he scored an overhead kick past a young Manchester United side with Kasper Schmeichel in goal. It's still talked about to this day - apparently every parent there clapped. These stories were relayed to me at the time and I'd just be made up for his parents. By 11-12 he was flying, that touch of something special just came with him, and when he hit one, it would just whistle.
I'm told when Walter Smith became manager he was made aware of this jewel Everton had in the youth set-up. He asked to see him in a game so one was organised and Wayne did the business.
Years later, we were at White Hart Lane in the Youth Cup and he whacked one in from range. Glenn Hoddle and David Pleat turned to the Everton delegation with a look that said, "where did you get him from?"
In his teenage years I'd sometimes wait outside Goodison for him with a couple of complimentary tickets. He'd often be late because of his footballing duties and I'd end up missing the first 10 minutes. "You play today?" I'd ask. Shy again, he'd reply: "Yes." "Did you score?" Regularly he'd come back with: "Six." And, tickets in hand, he'd be off in a flash.
Word had spread through the city about him. But there was one way to keep him in line. He worshipped the club's former player and manager Colin Harvey. If he wasn't listening, someone would just say: "Right, I'll tell Colin Harvey then." Time and again, Wayne would move instantly.
When his professional terms came at 16, I was so happy for him. I took Tony Hibbert to Everton when he was a kid too, and that satisfaction you get is wonderful.
I loved walking through West Derby Village from my house and hearing people talking about them. You'd always get the odd one saying Wayne wouldn't make it but I'd just say: "As long as he earns a living and puts food on the table for the family, that's all I'm concerned about."

'We were crying our eyes out'

Then, in October 2002, came the Arsenal game - with Everton heading for a draw against a side that hadn't lost in 30 games.
All of my family are season ticket holders and I had my son Robert next to me, with my wife and girls several rows in front.
In the last minute the ball dropped to Wayne, still only 16, and I said to Robert: "He'll hit this." Dear me. Robert's glasses were hanging off his face as we all went berserk when it hit the net.