US-based Everton supporters from 17 states attended ToffeeFest 2025 in San Diego, California
05:00, 16 Apr 2025Updated 09:49, 16 Apr 2025
Attendees at ToffeeFest 2025 in San Diego, California
US-based Evertonians have sent a message to the Blues’ new American owners The Friedkin Group following ToffeeFest 2025 in California. Three days of festivities took place at the Harp pub in Ocean Beach, San Diego, as around 150 fans from 17 different states joined club ambassador Graham Stuart for a celebration of the Blues by the Pacific Coast and after their early start to watch David Moyes’ men take on Nottingham Forest at the City Ground, they were rewarded by Abdoulaye Doucoure’s dramatic stoppage time winner, which sparked tumultuous scenes.
Everton’s links with the USA are long and distinguished. As a result, the club has made significant contributions to football in North America and vice versa.
The Blues have played more games in the USA and Canada, had more men play in North American professional leagues and more players inducted into the US and Canadian Soccer Halls of Fame than any other English club.
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Nevertheless, Everton were not a household name until the signings of Tim Howard and Landon Donovan as well as Joe-Max Moore, Brian McBride, Tomasz Radzinski and Predrag Radosavljevic (Preki).
In recent years, Everton have been active in building a stateside presence by investing in the growth of supporters’ clubs and fan engagement events. The Blues made half a dozen pre-season visits to the USA first time around under Moyes, with a seventh trip, under successor Roberto Martinez, organised before the Scot first departed the club in 2013.
Since then, Everton have taken part in the Florida Cup under Rafael Benitez in 2021 while the following year under Frank Lampard they faced Arsenal in Baltimore and Adrian Heath’s MLS side Minnesota United. Ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, the Blues will take part in the Premier League Summer Series against Bournemouth at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey on July 26; West Ham United at Soldier Field, Chicago on July 30; and Manchester United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, on August 3.
Attending the event was Everton superfan Dr David France, who sold his 10,000-item collection of Everton memorabilia to the club at a heavily discounted price so it could be kept for posterity while also founding the Everton Former Players’ Foundation to raise money for the physical and pastoral care of ex-professionals who have represented the club.
The Widnes-born former oil and gas executive has travelled over two million miles attending Blues matches having been based in North America for the past 48 years.
Dr France told the ECHO: “Why would a 77-year-old drive 500 miles from Arizona to watch television at 7am with people he doesn’t know? Obviously, a love of Everton.
“Well, thanks to the folks at the San Diego Toffees, North American Toffees and the club’s fan engagement staff, ToffeeFest 25 was an enthusiastic family gathering whose bonds put more biological families to shame. The noise generated by the US fans, many of whom have never been to Goodison, was reminiscent of the Hall of Fame dinners.
Dr David France, right, meets a fellow US-based Evertonian at ToffeeFest 2025 in San Diego
Tony Sampson, chair of the North American Toffees and vice chair of the Everton Fan Advisory Board told the ECHO: “We started ToffeeFest with the aim of creating a supporter led event that brought Blues together from across North America to celebrate all things Everton. Our events in Chicago and San Diego have seen hundreds of Blues travel from every corner of the continent to watch our beloved team, take part in events, but above else further develop and strengthen the connections within the Everton community and fanbase.
“The links between Everton and North America are well known. Aside from high profile players, like Tim Howard, Landon Donovan and Brian McBride and former Everton Giants like Adrian Heath, there is an established, organised and well connected network of over 40 supporter groups that meet regularly to co-ordinate and develop plans to build Everton’s profile. In recent years, the club has also grown its soccer schools and affiliate programmes at the grassroots level in more than 20 states.
“We hope that that the vision and creativity of our new owners can now build on these foundations, to develop a long term plan for realising the very real potential that exists to further expand Everton’s presence out here. In the short term, we’ve already begun to collaborate with the club on plans for this summer’s tour to New Jersey, Chicago and Atlanta to show the US what the famous EFC and its fans are all about.”
Everton ambassador Graham Stuart meets some of the attendees at ToffeeFest 2025, including Tony Sampson, bottom right
Other attendees were also impressed. Bailey Ayres, 35, from Madison, Wisconsin, said: “With Everton, it was love at first sight in 2021. I enjoy the company of fellow Evertonians, they are so friendly no matter their location, and have been smitten ever since.
“My 2,000 mile flight for me to attend ToffeeFest was well worth it. The event in Ocean Beach, San Diego confirmed that Evertonians are special.”
Liz Lefebvre, 37, from Chicago, Illinois, remarked: “About 150 fans attended the second annual ToffeeFest celebration. Young and old were brought together from across North America by a love of all things Everton.
“Even though I knew only 10% of the attendees, it was like a family reunion. I loved the way that guests Graham Stuart and Dr David France spoke so passionately about the club and its fans.”
Goodbye Goodison Park – Souvenir edition
Everton are soon set to say goodbye to Goodison Park as the Toffees play out their final few matches in their iconic home before moving to their incredible new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.
And to celebrate this historic and poignant event, the ECHO has produced this stunning special souvenir edition that no fan can afford to be without as they bid farewell to their iconic and beloved home.
We have delved into the ECHO archives to unearth fascinating stories from the famous ground’s past, including how it came to be built in 1892 and where its world-famous name came from.
Relive some of the most epic games to have graced the Grand Old Lady, including first-hand accounts of those involved in perhaps Goodison’s greatest night – the European Cup Winners’ Cup semi-final win over Bayern Munich in the unforgettable year of 1985.
And then there are the legends – from Dean to Hickson, Sharp to Ferguson, Kendall to Moyes, we celebrate the Goodison icons who will live forever in the hearts and minds of Evertonians everywhere long after the ground is gone.
There are also some rare treats with a glorious collection of photographs from the archives, featuring stunning Goodison views and behind-the-scenes footage of what makes the Grand Old Lady truly trick.
Buy now and have it delivered directly to your door. Alternatively you can purchase in most supermarkets, high street retailers and independent newsagents on Merseyside from April 2, 2025.
Bridget Bryson, 58, from Alpharetta, Georgia, declared: “I moved from Puddington (in Wirral) to the USA in 1989 and took my love of Everton with me. In San Diego, I was impressed by the presence of younger fans from faraway states like Colorado, Illinois, Kansas and Maine who have only known frustrations and drama.
“With relegation in the rear-view mirror, the return of David Moyes and the new stadium on the horizon, there was much talk about a new day for our club. Everton has a really healthy fan-base in North America and hope that our new Houston-based owners support the further development of our profile in the EPL and women’s football.”
Paul Brown, 43, from hosts San Diego, California, proclaimed: “I’m originally from Selsey, Sussex and I attended my first Everton game at the Dell as a seven-year-old. Some 36 years later, my positive feelings towards my fellow Evertonians are stronger than ever.
“In addition to the last-minute winner against Forest, the weekend’s highlights were Graham Stuart and David France who captivated the audience with their knowledge and insightful tales. I hope that representatives of The Friedkin Group join us in singing ‘Spirit of the Blues’ at our future fan engagement events as well as the pre-season games this summer – they won’t be disappointed.”