A Non-Connecticut Yankee in King Dixie's Court

Glad you had such a good time. You're an inspiration.

Last year, we had a 1st timer from South Africa, I believe there was one more from USA and we read about the bitter-sweet experience of the Malaysian blue earlier this year.

I hope to be able to add my own "1st Time Experience" sooner rather than later. Nice read, Clarence! And thanks to LL&MK for providing a platform for these non-resident blues to share their experiences.

I need time to make my own trip as I'm scared to death of flying. Need to take a boat... and time is in short supply at this point in my life.

Loved to hear of your trip. Actually thought of you while watching the game as you mentioned you were hopping on a train in London on another post. Glad to hear it went well.

Hilarious comment about the Norwegian. A good friend of mine who plays striker on my old fart 8v8 team is a Shite fan. Yep, he's Norwegian.

You can't make that stuff up.

It's similar with our away support, to hear the lads at Newcastle earlier this week out singing the barcodes was great. The away fans are usually the hard core fans and are way more up for it than you get at home. Still, I hope the city left a favourable impression on you and hopefully you and some of the other transatlantic blues can come over again soon.

Jamie, that's too funny, I had to smile to myself wen I overheard the conversation.

Ray, David, I have heard that away fans are general louder as they are the "hardcore" fans, certainly when Everton games are on TV here and they play away you can hear them very loudly. Liverpool was a friendly city, London is probably most American's familiarity with England, obviously it's a lot different.

Good story though. What made you support us? For most of us we had it ingrained by birth! I still own the blue & white scarf my auntie got from the club shop in 1979 which my old man wrapped around me as a baby! I didn't have a chance...

I’m interested to hear what you thought about the stadium and the neighbourhood. I don’t know where you’re from in the States but those old English stadiums and neighbourhoods are a little different eh!

I like those Malmaison hotels. Recently stayed in the one at Oxford which is in the old Oxford prison/castle.

Glad that you had a great time mate!

Paul, I'm from NY, yes Goodison is unlike many US stadiums. Here they are either in the suburbs or in downtown/city centers, generally not in residential neighborhoods like Goodison. Though some are. In fact, the location around Goodison reminded very much of Wrigley Field where the Chicago Cubs play, which is also surrounded by pubs and residential housing. Theres certainly no equivalent here in NY, as our (American) football teams play in the suburbs of NJ, and Knicks play in midtown Manhattan and the Mets and Yankees play in, how can I put this nicely, somewhat dumpy neighborhoods.

Ive been busy with the early 30s 'kids/house/responsibility thing' the past few years but one day I will make it there. Barkley might be as grey as Ossie by then but I will be there!!

Also - are you implying that the Bronx is "somewhat dumpy" !?!?

I could turn up for every home game steaming drunk, waving pom poms and singing Take Me Down To the Ballpark but what could I contribute to any discussion of the game later? Did a certain player play well, did another not, what was our formation, did we stick to it, how did we look after conceding a soft goal early on - heads up or down?

The human brain is capable of many amazing things (imagining CL next year for example) but jumping up and down every ten seconds does not lend itself well to clear thought & a good appraisment of the game.

Liked your comment on the Norwegian but give him a break. How would you like to live in nine months of winter, eating raw herrings & only having the RS on TV every night? No wonder they all commit suicide.

I will see Everton sometime between Dec. 21 and Jan. 1, hopefully at Goodison Park. The schedules have not been released so it may be I see them on the road.

I am going with my wife and two kids, one of whom was nicknamed "Little Dunc" because he was born in an era when the Scottish striker was playing for EFC. We had to schedule our trip around his Christmas vacation from high school.

I am so excited to go. I am glad you went. I am glad other American fans have gone before.

I anxiously await my turn. It will be — a blast.

I work abroad and only get to see the occasional game per season when coming back to see family. I was also at the Swansea game and was struck by the lack of atmosphere in the first half. Luckily it picked up a bit in the second and I was able to leave the ground with a croaky voice. (Always a sign for me that I've had my money's worth).

I'm always amazed and pleasantly surprised that so many guys from far off shores get this 'Blue bug'- especially as there are easier things to do in life than endure all our heartaches at Goodison. It may not be as universally contagious as catching 'the red shites' - but I always think it's quality not quantity that counts.

Whatever the reasons - the Brotherhood welcome you all with open arms!

COYB!