CRAIG Short will follow Simon Grayson into Ewood this weekend, providing there are no unforeseen snags with the usual medical formalities.

And the Everton central defender will pick up a small personal fortune after agreeing in principle to his move from Goodison to Ewood for a package totalling £2.1 million. Astonishingly, the new contract he signed with Everton in the summer contained a clause giving the player 45 per cent of any of their transfer profit over £600,000!

Short met Rovers boss Brian Kidd at the Haydock Thistle hotel yesterday and was suitably impressed.

He will sign a four-year deal with Rovers, who are set to pay Everton £1.75 million, rising to £2.1 million based on appearances.

Short, who was a free agent at the end of last season will have made himself financially secure with the move.

But it's not just money that has persuaded the 31-year-old central defender to say 'yes' to Blackburn Rovers.

He believes he is joining a more ambitious club, despite the drop into the First Division.

"It was a bolt from the blue when the manager called me in and asked me if I wanted to speak to Blackburn," said Short. "It still took a lot of soul searching because I have grown to love Everton.

"But, in the end, I accepted the offer because Everton accepted the bid and Brian Kidd made me such a good offer both professionally and personally.

"The move gives me extra security and I have a sense of ambition from a club absolutely committed to getting back into the Premiership.

"It's a big decision to step down to the First Division but it might be more enjoyable playing for a club that is progressing than playing for a big club that is apparently going nowhere.

"I think Everton are just becoming a selling club now. I have a lot of time for Walter Smith, who is a good man and manager.

"But he is not getting much support and he is having to sell players.

"I am going to miss the derbies against Liverpool and Everton's opening game is against Manchester United while I will be playing against Port Vale."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.