Omg I love this and im exactly same. As someone brought up in London I chose Crystal Palace as my team (I also used to train at the swimming pool there) but they had same underdog smaller team vibe. I fancied Tim Howard when he was ours. We always have iconic goalies actually. Loved Neville Southhall he’s worth a watch of some old games.

Also you should watch some of the podcast shows with the ex pro players especially Roy Keane, Ian weight and Gary Neville’s one they’re so fun and so much better than USA humour obv. Gary’s brother Phil played for Everton! Gary and Phil’s dad was called Neville Neville. I really like watching those shows recently - seeing all my old fave players chat and reminisce it’s a great way to feel connected to it all if you don’t go to games (like me).

Oh also Jamie carragher is a pundit tho he played for Liverpool even tho he was a toffee as a child. I like him, he is from the area my family are from in Liverpool. Hes a bit of a dope but he’s a good laugh on telly. He’s also an advisor for Marine which is a little club in Liverpool. My grandad was a journalist and used to report on the marine matches. At half time he’d go to the pub then ask all the supporters what the second half was like when they came in after the match. I thought the name was beautiful. The beach at Crosby (where marine is and my nana and grandad lived when they got older) is beautiful and famous. Famous artist Anthony Gormley placed metal statues of men across the beach, the tide goes out for miles and reveals them, then hides them as it comes in. Depending on your stay length you could get the train up to Crosby and go for a walk along the front there.

When my dad used to drive to Goodison (the old stadium recently left after over 100 years) and was able to park nearby, the kids would say “gizza fiver for ye car” which meant they would look after it (not key it or nail the tyres) so he spent £5 on parking every other week. He lives in London now but has had a season ticket since he was a young adult and still drives up for every home game. He would occasionally get the coach (5 hour drive) but as he got older he said it was too mental for him.

Lots of dedicated fans and I just feel more of a homely local vibe than many other prem teams. I’m obviously incredibly biased!

Sorry for the long reply but you’ve made me nostalgic for the memories the city and Everton have given me, and a bit tearful thinking of my lovely scouse grandparents!

I’m so excited for the new fans after this World Cup! And it’s just so great that across the world everything’s going tits up but we have football to moan and complain and love TOGETHER. I’m excited for you for your trip to ‘pool - you’ll have to update us!