EVERTON FC narrowly avoided having to take a ferry across the mersey for a Nationwide League Division One derby with Tranmere Rovers next season, by securing their Premiership status by the skin of their teeth, after a 1-1 home draw with Coventry City.

A succession of missed chances proved costly for Bolton, as a 2-0 defeat at Chelsea, took them down to Division One meaning Everton stayed up on goal difference.

Former Tranmere Chairman, owner of Wirral-based Park Foods and Everton supremo, Peter Johnson, who has come under much criticism from supporters and the media, broke his silence at the end of the match when he spoke of his commitment to Everton FC.

However, Mr Johnson was the subject of a fans revolt calling for his resignation after the game, and needed a Merseyside Police escort to and from Goodison Park, and to guard his Wirral home.

Everton's survival meant no return for Mr Johnson to Prenton Park next season, this time as Chairman of Everton, some four years after leaving Tranmere for a 'big club'.

Expect Tranmere to play Everton in their regular pre-season fixture in August.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.