Everton withot Neville next season

Former England international
defender Phil Neville will leave
Everton at the end of the
season after eight years at the
club, he announced on Tuesday. The versatile 36-year-old, who
joined Everton from Manchester
United in 2005, said he wanted
to continue playing football at
the highest level. "It's been an honour to play for
and captain Everton Football
Club," Neville said in a statement
published on the club website,
www.evertonfc.com. "I've thoroughly enjoyed my time
on Merseyside and will leave with
immense pride. I would like to
thank the manager, chairman, all
of the staff and the players at
Everton for their continued support during my time at the
club. "I'd also like to pay a special
thanks to the fans, who have
been amazing over the past
eight years and Everton will
always have a place in my heart. "I want to continue to play at
the top level as long as I
physically can, and will be
weighing up my options before
making a decision on my next
move. I'll now be doing everything I can to help Everton
finish as high up the league table
as possible." It had already been announced
that Neville will take up a role
with the England Under-21 back-
room staff for the European
Championships in Israel in June. Neville's elder brother, Gary,
retired from football in 2011 and
currently combines work as a
television pundit with a coaching
role for the England senior team.