Football: Loyal Weir craves success; Blues defender aims to thank fans for support.

KEVIN RATCLIFFE stands alone as Everton's most successful captain; but he won't be the only polished centre-half celebrated by the Blue ranks at Shrewsbury today. Though separated by a huge gulf in style, eras and, unfortunately, success, Ratcliffe and his distant successor in the Blues rearguard David Weir share a loyalty to Everton that has not gone unrecognised.

Both also enjoy a healthy rapport with fans who value their significance, albeit belatedly in Ratcliffe's case after his willingness to play through the pain barrier in his final Everton seasons resulted in shameful stick rather than gratitude.

Weir has established the connection thanks to incredible consistency in troubled times.

But despite providing one of the few swift and untroubled signings in recent Everton history this summer when he signed a new three-year contract, what Weir really craves is praise for being part of a triumphant team.

The Scottish international may have walked away with two successive Player of the Year awards at Goodison Park, with Sir Alex Ferguson monitoring his situation as a result last season, but despite his unassuming manner the 32year-old wants much more.

``I've been lucky enough to have the fansbehind me and supporting me but you really want the club to be winning things rather than receiving personal accolades,'' said Weir. ``I want to be part of a successful team and I honestly feel that's what we are aiming for at Everton.

``But I've got to say the rapport I've had with the fans here has been greatly appreciated and I believe it did play a factor in my decision to stay.''

But it was not the only reason. Despite David Moyes' stated mission to build a young side for the future Weir, one of the side's veterans, is also one of the few virtually assured a starting place even with Joseph Yobo's impending arrival putting the defence on high alert.

Yet it is the signs he sees for the team over the next few years that influenced the three-year contract.

``I'm an optimist anyway,'' added Weir, ``but I can definitely see good signs here at the club. Things have changed with the new manager and hopefully we are now building for the future.

``That's not to say that wasn't the case under Walter Smith, because I signed a new contract under him as well and I was optimistic about that as well.

``But I am positive about the future and I think that can only breed good results.

``The manager has brought a lot more energy to the team. He wants us to press all the time and higherup the pitch to put the other team under more pressure,'' he added.

``T o do that you've got to be fitter and prepared to do it. The manager is promoting that, we cannot afford to carry any passengers and we won't.''

As for the contract, Evertonians were not the only ones relieved it was wrapped up with ease while possible Premiership vultures hovered.

Manchester United's interest may not have amounted to a serious bid, and often it doesn't have to for Ferguson to begin to get his man - as Leeds are now discovering.

But to see Weir aim to have his ambitions realised at Goodison Park instead of elsewhere is a major fillip.

And he admits: ``I'm delighted it's sorted because I never wanted to leave. Ever since I arrived at Everton I've been happy, my family are happy and settled here and my two boys were born here. So I have a lot of ties to the place now.

``I wasn't interested in going anywhere else. It's different if you're looking to leave then maybe you start finding out who is interested but I'm happy here and unless the club wants to sell me I can't see that changing.

``When I arrived it felt like the right club at the right time. I was confident it was going to be a good move and thankfully that's the way it's turned out.

``I'll be at Everton for as long as they want me. I still think I can improve and the aim now is to stay in the team and hopefully get a bit of success at Everton.''

CAPTION(S):

COMBATIVE: Weir and Liverpool's Michael Owen swap derby views; SUCCESS: Kevin Ratcliffe; POLISHED: David Weir clears ahead of Arsenal's Edu