Everton international fanbase keeps on growing as Friedkin Group explores lucrative market

The North American Toffees received huge interest in their latest trip from the USA to L4

Dozens of Blues crossed the Atlantic to taste Goodison Park for one final time on an emotional tour that offered a glimpse at the club’s potential to grow in the US.

States from California to Kentucky were represented as almost 100 supporters from the North American Toffees took in the Grand Old Lady for the Manchester United game at the end of last month.

It was a trip of a lifetime but also one that hints at where the future could lie, with interest in the tour so great that organisers are confident Everton’s US fanbase has continued to grow despite the crises that have engulfed the club over recent years.

Boosted by the signing of stars from Brian McBride to Tim Howard, the trans-Atlantic connection between US football supporters and the Blues is strong, though one that still requires work to properly develop.

The lack of success enjoyed by Everton over recent decades has hampered such efforts yet there still appears to be genuine interest that can be harnessed - more than 40 supporter clubs now exist in the US, with bars across the country hosting Everton watch-parties in the early hours to cater for them.

With new owners The Friedkin Group hailing from the States, international training camp connections growing and a potential pre-season tour being explored, there is a sense that Everton have a renewed opportunity to grow with the market for the Premier League out there.

Strong roots already exist, as highlighted by what proved to be a touching trip to Liverpool organised by the North American Toffees in February.

Asked what it meant to return to the city of his birth with the group, its chair, Tony Sampson, said: “Everything. I was fortunate to grow up in Liverpool and go to the match every week with my dad and more recently two sons and have been able to share so many special memories at Goodison. When you move away from something that means so much to you like Everton does, the love and affection just runs deeper. That’s why being back is so special.

“The group had a mix of people who have made the pilgrimage before, but also some who were experiencing Goodison for the first time. Everyone has their own Everton story, whether they’re expats or have been chosen whilst following the club from thousands of miles away. One of our group was diagnosed with a serious illness a few years ago and his bucket list included a trip to the Grand Old Lady. Being able to tick that off and share the experience with his fellow Blues has only strengthened the connection he has with our wonderful football club.”

The organising committee itself showed how far-flung passionate support across the States is - Tony, based in Chicago, worked with Atlanta Evertonians' Bridget Bryson and Kourosh Toumadje, from the San Diego supporters branch. Toumadje topped off the trip by becoming the latest supporter to win a signed shirt when he won the club’s half-time crossbar challenge.

Tony continued: “The North American Toffees have been collaborating with the club on these trips for a few years now. Each year, we’re blown away at how much interest there is from supporters who are willing to travel so far. There’s no doubt that the final season at Goodison has provided an extra pull this season, but interest is increasing year on year.

"It’s not a great surprise. Even with the difficult times the club has faced, the supporter base across the continent continues to grow and is becoming even more connected and organised. The sense of belonging and connection to the club and its history is something truly unique. We hope that this, alongside some of the initiatives the club has developed and the vision of the new ownership, can provide even greater opportunities to strengthen Everton’s presence across the continent.”

Everton have a long history of pre-season tours to America, last heading out there under Frank Lampard in 2022, when the Blues trained in Washington DC and played friendlies in Baltimore and Saint Paul. The club was initially part of a proposal for a trip there last summer, though a combination of factors, including Sean Dyche’s preference to remain closer to home, led to the squad travelling to Ireland instead.

Aside from the match, which meant the US contingent were among the thousands left infuriated by the decision to overturn a stoppage time penalty for Everton, the group took in a host of sites, visiting St Luke’s Church, having a guided tour from Everton Heritage Society, and taking in the Winslow and Bramley Moore pubs. A wreath was laid on the group’s behalf in tribute to Michael Jones, who died while working on the new stadium. The fan group also presented its own personalised stone for the Everton Way commemoration at the new stadium and helped supporter organisation The 1878s set-up their matchday display.

Reflecting on the trip, Tony said: “What really stands out is how welcome the travelling Blues are made to feel when they visit the city and spend time with their fellow Evertonians. Whether that’s in the pubs and bars around the ground and in the city, visiting St Luke’s and the FanZone on matchday or at the stadium itself. Everyone feels part of the Everton family.”