My Blue Journey

I hope that you have a wonderful and blessed time in April. Danny O'Neill and others will give you the directions and places to meet up before the match.

I trust that you do not discuss Tom Davies with Kieran.

2nd guy: "No, but I got here as soon as I could."

That'll do for me – welcome, Brother.

I've often commented that I would like to see us expand into the US scene from a scouting perspective.

I spent a lot of time in San Antonio, Texas and there were some really talented players. The Bundesliga seems to have a tradition of tapping into the US market. I watched Weston McKennie play live for Schalke and said to my son, "I'd love us to sign him." We'd have loved him. Now at Juventus last time I looked.

I have the utmost respect for those following the Blues from thousands of miles away. It's easier for the likes of me sleeping on trains to get to the spiritual home.

Drop me a message or save my number for when you're over.

0796 600 7546

Paul drop me a message so we can negotiate our political spat!!

Do you know it's easy for so many of us over here who were born a few minutes from Goodison, or at least in Liverpool, to be part of the Blues.

Family is usually the light that guides us to where we belong so it's very easy to understand why we are Evertonians.

I have to say the people I admire greatly are folk such as yourself. Born, brought up, and living so far away yet somehow, God only knows, you become as fervent as those of us actually born into it.

Win, lose or draw, I know you will have a fantastic time and a great memory that will live with you forever.

Once again, great post.

I know you will take some fantastic memories home with and plenty of photos to show your family.

Paul (1), funny you mention Kieran and Tom Davies. I always appreciated him for what he brought to the team, and like all of us it was too bad he never got over the hump. Even though he deserved some criticism for his play, I could never bring myself to do it, due to some combination of his history with the club, the changing managers, our shit teams, etc. But I’ll never forget that match against Man City, and that’s good enough for me. Too bad we haven’t heard much about him since he left.

I look forward to connecting with many of you in April and I’ll be sure to let folks know closer to the trip so we can meet up. Danny, thanks for sharing your number as well. In the meantime, any recommendations on things to do while in town, places to see, neighborhood to stay in, where to sit in the stadium, all that is greatly appreciated.

But just so everyone knows, even though I’m a mental health therapist, I’ll not be brokering any Middle East or TW peace deals while on vacation.

You say you will be spending 6 days over here, taking in the Burnley game which is on 6 April, so you will more than likely have left Liverpool before the following weekend.

But just to let you know, the Grand National festival starts on Thursday 11 April, and a lot of hotels in and around the city centre will more than likely be fully booked up, even before 11 April. Sounds like you haven't yet booked a hotel, so if I were you, I'd start looking straight away.

It is five minutes from the City Centre with plenty of busses going that way and not that much longer going the other way to Goodison Park where the No 19 bus will drop you right outside The Old Lady.

Google it and see what you think, you will find plenty of Everton fans, locals, drinking in there along with Red fans who are also okay and will provide plenty of banter but also plenty of help along with the crowd.

I'd recommend the Marriot on Queen's Square and visit Doctor Duncan's pub. Or if you want to go a bit more upper class, the Radisson Blu is nice although a bit out of the city centre.

If you are going that far out, you may as well stay at the Titanic Hotel and marvel at the new stadium in Bramley-Moore Dock.

Thanks, Dave, Danny and Stephen, for the added recommendations and help!

Jonathan – enjoy your trip but keep an eye on the fixtures as the paymasters at the TV companies may have it switched to a different time or even day.

If so, go and watch Tranmere on the Saturday at 3 pm.
I'm from a family of mad keen Evertonians but have never myself lived in the city so here's some thoughts from a tourist / fan:

Go on the club's tickets site and book a Goodison tour. They don't take place on match days generally.

Do the Royal Liver Building tour if only for the views from the top.

Go and check out the new ground (from behind the construction fencing).

Take a day trip to Chester for some ancient history that should blow most American minds.

Take the ferry ('cross the Mersey) and the train on the Wirral and enjoy the sea air in New Brighton or Hoylake.

Visit both cathedrals and say a prayer for EFC as we need all the help we can get.

Or just spend the entire week drinking yourself senseless in the unbelievably vibrant pubs and clubs in the city centre, most playing live music (with the occasional song not written by the Beatles).

Drop me a line if you wish, Jonathan.

My email is peter@twomillsland.co.uk

The performance against Minnesota was disappointing and I felt sorry for you guys over there having to wait so long to see the Blues in the flesh, Everton that! It was great to meet up with you, your lovely family and Kieran and the company more than made up for the game.

I am looking forward to meeting up again in April when, hopefully we can share a few beers. I drive to most home games and can always pick you up from wherever you end up staying or, if we plan to make the day of it I can get the train and meet you.

It looks like the other posts have suggestions for things to do and see nailed. Chester is a very pretty city with Roman history and well worth a visit as already mentioned.

Anyway, once the day gets a bit closer let me know what you would like to do. Hopefully the Blues will do you proud.

Jeff (16), I’ll take whatever I can get while I’m there. Hopefully a tour will at least get me close to the pitch

Neil, I’ll of course be in touch as the trip nears. I looked into May Duncan’s, per Dave’s recommendation, and it looks like it might be a great option, so may be staying there. Just have to decide whether I prefer be in the city center. In any case, I look forward to some good times wherever we end up!

Just saw this. Tom Davies apart I love it. I know Jonathan will be visiting as opposed to hosting but for what it’s worth to any ToffeeWebers he opened his home to myself and Neil Copeland as complete strangers and gave us the kind of warm welcome you’d only expect from close family. He’s as mad as the rest of us (much nicer than me) in his obsession with this club even if he was born 3,000 miles away.

I’m not surprised to see some of the good hearted locals like Ron Halligan and Danny O’Neill and the Abraham’s offering advice as they did for Mike Gaynes. I’m sure you’ll have a good time there mate and make connections with some top quality people from ToffeeWeb. I’d love to be there myself to reconnect with you and Neil Copeland but maybe next time.

I'll write to the club.

They tend to come back with vague answers, but I can also try my sister. She works at Anfield but they have connections with Goodison.

I'll give it a shot.

I cannot recommend highly enough the experience of watching a Marine game with Pete Mills, so if the schedule dictates, definitely go for it. I wear my Marine shirt with the same pride as my Everton jersey. Got a scarf, too. (You might need one in April in Crosby. Bit chilly.)

And definitely follow Rob's suggestion to book not only your hotel room but your train tickets well in advance. Trying to find a room or a seat during the Grand National ain't easy. I really enjoyed the Holiday Inn on Albert Dock because it's such a great neighborhood to walk around in. And any Premier Inn will do you well at a good price.

You might run into Inchy at the pub -- he's been a regular at Goodison since his sacking in Minnesota.

As it stands, the Marine and Tranmere matches are the same time as the Burnley match, but maybe some good luck will get it moved to Sunday so I can make it to two of them.

That would be a good chat with Inchy about his time in Minnesota. I get everything second- or third-hand about behind the scenes at Minnesota United. While it was his time to go, the shit show that has ensued since his sacking – where we still don't have a full-time manager – shows how poorly run the club is. He did a great job, bringing us from nothing to something; time will tell if we can take the next step with Reynoso, Pukki, Hlongwane and Co.

Before you make any final decision on where you are staying, I'd advise you to have a chat with Stephen Vincent.

You'd be dealing with a gentleman who knows his way about – and when he talks of 'leafy Liverpool', he is talking about the best part of Liverpool, in my opinion.

Kieran (19, 20), the kind words mean a lot, as did the opportunity to host and meet you guys. Indeed I hope one day my poor, indoctrinated children and I can join you and a crew of folks from the States and England at BMD. That would be pretty special.

When I travel up, and if I have to stay over, I tend to stay in town close to Lime Street for the first train back. But there are always a few dodgy characters knocking about, but I can look after myself. My sister always offers to pick me up, but I like to stay close to Lime Street.

Stephen will give you some good tips and recommendations. The south of the city is beautiful. If you get the chance, take in a walk on Camp Hill, Woollton or Calderstones. And depending on how much time you have if you are in that part of the city, visit Speke Hall. It may be L24 and close to a council estate, but you would be surprised. Very historical place.

Wherever I end up, I plan to explore the different parts of the city, and fortunately I’ve encountered a few dodgy characters in my day, live by quite a few too, so nothing really scares me off.

I will be back in Liverpool on 16 April and hoping that the clowns that run the Premier League don't swap any fixtures around as I am hoping to see 2 games. I have been back since 2009 twice, second time for a funeral and unfortunately ended up in the Royal and had to sign myself out to attend it.

Liverpool is full of History that a lot of people are not aware of, so if you want to know about it, best to plan ahead. The trip to Goodison will be the highlight,

Both great locations for walking to do the tourist things. Recommend the Hop On/Hop Off bus tour of the city lots to see and good info plus did the ferry cruise along the Mersey. Great view of the new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock from the river.

Wherever you stay, I am sure you will have a great time.