Tony Sampson is a member of the Chicago Evertonians Supporters' Club and one of the first international Evertonians to join the Everton Fans’ Forum. On a special weekend for many US Evertonians, Tony explains why the Club can count on its US fans.

Everton’s presence is growing in the USA – and we’ll be there every step of the way

Everton has been a massive part of my life since my Dad first started taking to me Goodison in the late 70’s. He, my two young sons and I have had Season Tickets together for the past few years and like many Blues, the opportunity to share the ups and downs of following our team as a family, only strengthens the bond with Everton.

So, one of the first things our family did before we made the move to Chicago was to find out where we could watch the match.

It was a genuine ‘must’ on our list when we were looking for somewhere to live; we knew that linking up with fellow Blues would help us keep that connection, offer us a sense of belonging; make us feel like we weren’t actually that far away from home.

Luckily, we found AJ Hudson’s bar, seven miles north of the city, complete with a 20-foot Everton flag, Pride of Merseyside banner, and home to the Chicago Evertonians.

I remember the first time we went there, seeing groups of Blues in their shirts, memorabilia and images of players and special moments in our history donning the walls. Within minutes, we were greeted by the Chair of the Chicago Evertonians, a Scouser, who’s Huyton accent hadn’t deserted him, but which now carried a slight American twang.

Taking time to take us through the experience of being a Blue abroad and introducing to the other Blues, we felt instantly settled.

We are now part of a fantastic community of Chicago Blues, some from the UK, some new to football – or soccer – as I should perhaps call it! – but all of them truly invested in what it means to be Blue. Next year will be the 20th anniversary of the Chicago Evertonians, so the roots are deep.

The love that Everton has in Chicago is replicated in bars in every state, with some supporters driving 50-100 miles and more to meet up with their fellow Blues on a matchday, no matter the time difference.

There’s a strength and depth of support for Everton in the USA that I didn’t fully appreciate until I got here. Everyone has their own story, whether they’re Scousers that have moved here, or supporters who’ve been drawn in by the likes of Tim Howard, Brian McBride and Landon Donovan. Either way, people want to belong to Everton and the knowledge, passion and obsession is impressive.

That’s why when I saw that the Everton Fans’ Forum were encouraging international fans to apply, I jumped at the chance. I wanted to help provide the bridge between the long-standing network of Blues out here and the Club, help strengthen the connection and give them a voice on all things Everton.

I’m enjoying the opportunity to offer insight and input into how our Club engages with fans in the US and elsewhere in the world. I’ve got to know many of the US supporters’ groups over the past few months and have been listening to their ideas and views.

I’m excited that as part of the Forum’s international steering group, we’ve sent out our first survey to international supporters to get an insight into what is important to them – we’re analysing the responses now, with a significant amount of them coming from the US.

We’ve already shared the results with the Club and will be publishing the results soon.

We hope that it will give the Club some new ideas, but also build on the work they’re already doing to connect with our international supporters.

Another aspect of settling in as a Blue in the US has been finding a local club for my sons to play for. I’ve been impressed with how well-structured and organised some of the local facilities have been ranging from Under-6s to Under-19s girls and boys. In the communities where soccer is popular, it has a real foothold.

It is a massive social activity for the whole family that extends beyond games and training to get-togethers, friendship groups, volunteering and giving back to the local area – football plays a massive part in building community spirit here, and it really helped us become part of our community in Chicago.

Of course, that’s where Everton can play a key role, in its understanding of how football makes community, and how it’s also important to give back to that community. That’s what made the news of the new International Academy Affiliate Programme exciting as a fan over here in the US. It’s a chance to connect with whole families and whole communities.

There are lots of Premier League clubs trying to link up with US Youth Soccer, but from my experience of living here, Everton’s model, which focuses on player development and the individual club’s needs in that community, looks like it hits the mark. It also gives us the great opportunity to build connections with the Evertonians of the future and educate them about what it means to be Blue.

I’m excited to see what will happen, and it’s good to see the Club stick to its values by opening the scheme up to clubs at all levels with players of all ages and abilities.

I know that every one of us over here looks forward to sharing the good news that a club in our state has signed up as an International Everton Affiliate – you may even see some of us trying our luck and registering for tryouts – you’re never too old, right?!

There is a strong appetite from supporters’ clubs to take action to help build on Everton’s reputation over here. We are raring to go once things get back to normal.

Some have been using the time during lockdown to take stock, build new connections with each other, and come up with ideas and plans for future events, meet-ups and fundraising activities for Everton in the Community and charities local to us.

Pictured below: Tony Sampson with his sons

We don’t have our matchdays at Goodison, so this is how we live our fandom. That is something that I’ve really come to understand and appreciate in my time in the US. Everton understands that too, and it’s great to see the Club further developing its international strategy. We’ve had brilliant support from the Fan Engagement Team, who are giving us the tools and the platforms to grow.

People also tend to move around to different states in the US for work – and wherever they go they’ll take Everton with them, knowing that the Club will soon have a supporters’ club in every City-State and the potential for new branches to pop up. One of our Chicago members has just moved to Sacramento, and within her first few days, has been advertising to get a new group established. We’re constantly spreading the word and building our Blue links.

Social media also gives us opportunities to build connections. A number of Clubs have already engaged their groups by hosting virtual hook ups to watch games, run Twitter commentaries on old games, run competitions and support each other in raising money for EitC.

NBC Soccer even commented on the number of Evertonians in the US, when US Blues rallied to make sure we won an online tournament!

That’s why the e-friendly the Club arranged this weekend is interesting. Content on social media channels that is geared towards Evertonians and the MLS in general will certainly be of interest to football fans over here.

We would have loved to be welcoming the Blues to the US for a real friendly, and hope we can in future, but the e-friendly could open us up to new audiences with David Beckham’s Inter Miami CF fans, media interest across the US and South America, thanks to Everton and of course Richarlison.

As Evertonians living in America, we don’t want to be bystanders, we want to help build and spread that Everton presence wherever we are and for the Club that we love.

The World Cup is of course on its way to the US, Canada and Mexico in 2026 – something for Everton to work towards in positioning themselves so that they are ready to reap the rewards from the increased profile of the sport – and I hope that we will.

I know that Everton has set out an ambition to have a stronger presence in the US. It’s clear that our Club sees itself in it for the long haul. It’s going to be hard work of course; there’s a lot to do, but I think we’ve got the right approach and the right values to succeed.

And there are thousands of eager Blues over here and ready to help.