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Well, it's finally over.
The saga of Everton's Wayne Rooney ends where most thought it would.
Big spending Manchester United outbidded Newcastle United for the services of Rooney who goes from being a "Blue to a Red Devil."
The distance from Liverpool the home of Everton to Manchester is not the longest of drives but the road will be littered with emotions of many Everton fans who had hoped their young talent would remain at Goodison Park.
After Everton's trip to Houston many of us locally including myself became more aware of the tradition and loyalty of a club (Everton) in financial straights who were wrestling with the imminent departure of their greatest hope.
Rooney is an immensely talented youngster who literally carried England on his back at 18 years of age in this summer's European Championships.
During this tournament he scored four goals but more importantly provide the hope and leadership that had David Beckham and more seasoned English veterans following the lead of an 18-year-old who played with maturity beyond his years.
So if you thought we were disappointed in Rooney not showing in Houston for the Copa de Tejas after a mind-bending European Championship performance for England, than you don't know the depth of support this young man received from fans of Everton.
Sure the funds through the sale of Rooney will be much needed to provide financial stability and purchase players who can strengthen their squad but despite the imminent nature of the sale it is still a major body blow to fans and supporters alike.
To put it bluntly...it hurts!
Like free agency in the United States when transfer windows open in Europe many hearts are broken when revered players are sold and many teams find new found hope and inspiration from players acquired during this buying and selling period.
You can't help but feel for this club and its legions of die hard blue blooded fans who remain loyal through thick and thin.
This hurts even more because this was a local boy, developed locally and helped throughout his career by locals.
The sense of pride these fans had for Rooney was massive.
Let's just hope that Rooney doesn't forget all of those who helped him during his climb in his career.
In the end we knew it would happen and in the end you had to think it would be Manchester United despite some competition from Newcastle United that would ink him.
Rooney left it late to put in his transfer request only days before the closing of the transfer window so the purchase of new players will have to wait for David Moyes and Everton.
The deal consummated only hours before the transfer window closed is worth around 36 million dollars and makes Wayne Rooney a very wealthy young man.
Ironically, Everton has had a remarkable start to the English Premier League season.
After a drubbing from Arsenal they have taken seven points in their last three games including an ironic 0-0 draw at Old Trafford against Manchester United.
They currently sit in seventh place above Manchester United who are in crisis with only five points.
To Everton and its great supporters these early results may help to slightly soften the blow. Performances by Nigel Martyn, David Weir, and new signing Tim Cahill give hope.
David Moyes seems to be getting every ounce of sweat equity out of his players and is reminding us of his inaugural campaign in charge of Everton.
Rooney is a remarkable talent but his 67 appearances and 15 goals for Everton are now a part of Blue Book history.
He will go into the stable of Manchester United strikers like Ruud Van Nistlerooy, Alan Smith, and Louis Saha.
Many will ponder what could have been but it is clear that Everton with its great spirit will overcome.
After all, they are a team for the people.
Davis is a nationally recognized broadcaster for HDNET where he partners up with former
U.S. National Team defender Marcelo Balboa. He was one of the lead voices for
ESPN during the 2002 World Cup and has called major international soccer matches
for the Fox Network as well. He is a weekly columnist for the Houston Chronicle and hosts the "Soccer Hour
with Glenn Davis" radio show on 90.1KPFT FM Radio every Sunday from 5-6 pm. Davis played soccer professionally for the Houston Dynamos where he was a league
all star selection and team captain.
