David Weir is preparing for life in the Championship

Former Everton defender David Weir is preparing for life in the Championship with newly promoted Brentford but he still keeps an eye on events at Goodison Park.

Weir is the assistant manager at Griffin Park and as he celebrated promotion at the end of last season, he also reflected on Everton's first campaign under Roberto Martinez.


He declared it a success but added that he took a cheeky positive from the team just missing out on Champions League qualification!


"It was unfortunate that Everton just didn't manage to make the top four which would have been a great achievement but at least it still allows us lads of 2005 to be the last ones to do it!" he smiled, tongue firmly placed in cheek.


"Everton had an unbelievable season and still didn't quite make the Champions League which just shows how difficult it can be. I would love Everton to get back into the Champions League and be a part of it again.


"The strides that have been made last season indicate that it may not be too long before it happens."


Weir's Brentford finished runners-up to clear League One champions Wolverhampton Wanderers last season and the Scot is loving life at Griffin Park.


"I have been fortunate in my career to have played at great football clubs and Brentford is a similar club to Everton in the aspect of a family atmosphere," he said. "I was made very welcome very quickly at Everton and Brentford is exactly the same. The fans are nice as well.


"It's obviously a smaller club so there are less fans but it means you get to know them better and there's nowhere to hide! It's a long walk from the car-park to the stadium on a matchday too!"


Brentford's promotion push was aided by two former Everton reserve players, Jake Bidwell and Adam Forshaw. Weir was delighted with their contribution.


"Jake and Adam both did well and both thoroughly deserved to be selected in the PFA Team of the Year for League One," he said. "They are very much a part of what we do. They are young lads but they've got a bit of experience now and they've played a lot of football. They've done really, really well and they've got the chance now to show what they can do at a higher level."


David Weir was speaking exclusively to the EVERTON magazine and to read the full interview with our former captain, keep an eye out for the July issue which is out next week.