Jeffers admits regret at departing Everton

Former Everton and Arsenal striker Francis Jeffers has revealed that he regrets his decision to leave Merseyside during his playing days.

The boyhood Blue and academy graduate made his Toffees debut at Manchester United aged 16 in December 1997 and went on to score 20 goals in 45 starts for the club.

But in June 2001 he was tempted away from Goodison Park and made an £8million move to join Arsene Wenger at Arsenal but admits it was probably the wrong move.

Jeffers said: “I’ve got to be really honest, looking back on my career I left the club too soon.

“Arsenal wasn’t the right move for me but it was a difficult time because of the way our football club was then, it wasn’t like it is now.

“It was a good move for me and the club at the time but it was definitely too soon and probably the wrong move.”

Credit: Michael Steele /Allsport

Since retiring in 2013 Jeffers has taken up the role of academy strikers coach at Everton but still rues not living up to his ‘fox in the box’ legacy during his playing career.

“When you’re sitting at home at think back at how your career’s gone, I feel my head was turned,” he added.

“It was a tough decision for me because I’m an Evertonian, I’d been a season ticket holder all my life. It was a big decision but one that never worked out for me.”