🚨JUST IN :Leeds United favourite explains how dispute with manager led to Everton move as he makes ‘not great’ admission

Former Leeds United goalkeeper Nigel Martyn has revealed the row that led to his eventual move from Elland Road to Everton.
   Martyn spent seven years at Leeds and is still regarded as one of the clubs greatest.    He made 265 appearances between the sticks for the Whites, but lost his number one spot last campaign.

   He left for Everton in 2003, although a disagreement with former Leeds boss Terry Venables set the wheels in motion for a departure in 2002.

   After touring England in the 2002 World Cup, Martyn did not get the same break as many of his international teammates.

   On popular podcast Undr The Cosh, Martyn explained: “It wasn’t good.    My situation was that I played every game that season for Leeds, was lucky enough to be selected in the World Cup squad, got to Japan and [South] Korea, got to the quarter-finals.

   “[I] came back after that tournament, had 12 days off and had to report for pre-season. It’s not long enough. Arsenal players, Man U players, you get a month from the day you’re out. See you in one  month.

   “Terry was the manager but Terry wasn’t at the club at the time. Eddie Gray was coaching. I came and trained with Steve Sutton [goalkeeping coach], Robbo [Paul Robinson], he had a few days of training.

   “Eddie said, ‘let’s go on a trip to Australia, China and Thailand’. I’d literally just come from there – I need a break. I said to Ed, ‘can’t I go on this trip? I’ve just come from that part of the world, I’m crazy  , I want to come home, I want some time with my family and get the best out of me, it’s best for you to leave me here’ He said: “I don’t think the new director will like it.”

   Gray’s prediction came true when Martyn and Venables fell out over the former’s request for leave.

   Martyn said: “The next day it was wet in training, I was covered in mud, me and Robbo worked hard with Steve Sutton, before the season, to go through it again. Eddie comes running – “get in, manager  he will call you in 15 minutes”.

   “He said, ‘what’s the matter, you’re not coming?’. I said, ‘you were England manager, I played every game last season, I didn’t miss a session, I didn’t miss a training session, I went straight to the World Cup, I’m shit.’  I need a break.  If you want me at my best, let me do it.

   “[He said] ‘I can’t let an older player jump out of it.    If you don’t come on this trip, you’ll never play for Leeds United again,” and hung up.”

   Martyn left for Everton a year later and endeared himself to the Goodison Park faithful before hanging up his gloves in 2006.

   His place at Leeds was taken by Robinson, who also became a senior England international.