Boreham Wood FA Cup hero Kane Smith says the wave of supportive messages he has received from fellow Blues following his impassioned Tony Hibbert shirt celebration shows why Everton “is the best club in the world”.

The National League side shocked Championship Bournemouth 1-0 on Sunday to book a last-16 Cup clash with the Toffees.

The victory, of course, carried extra special meaning for lifelong Evertonian Smith, as he will get the opportunity to realise his boyhood dream of performing at Goodison Park.

The right-back celebrated by swiftly changing into an Everton shirt with his idol Hibbert’s name on the back, with the joyous scenes going viral on social media.

“The reaction I’ve had from Evertonians is just incredible,” Smith told evertonfc.com. 

“The thought of playing at Goodison is one thing…and now I’m getting tweets from Everton fans telling me I’m going to get a great reception. Things like this don’t happen to people like me! It’s amazing.

“It shows you why Everton, for me, are the best club in the world. It is The People’s club.

“You support this football club and for every fan, their first dream is to play for Everton. I always wished that would happen one day, but to go out to play at Goodison against the club you love in a big game is the next best thing.”

On the idea for his celebration, Smith added: “When we got Everton in the draw on Sunday morning, I just knew I had to take a shirt to the game against Bournemouth. I had a feeling we were going to win. 

“I got a few Everton shirts but the Tony Hibbert one stands out for me. When we were celebrating, I thought, ‘I need to get my Everton shirt!’ and I ran back into the changing room and stuck it on.

“Playing as a right-back, I always wanted to be someone like Tony Hibbert. 

“I watched him every week and he is an Everton hero! I always wanted to get one of his shirts and when I first saved up a bit of pocket money, I went and got myself that one!

“Hibbo gave everything. He was Everton through and through. He is like one of the fans. You knew you were always going to get 100 per cent from him. 

“I loved that video of him doing the skills, too!”

Luton-born Smith revealed his father inspired his Everton passion, having fallen in love with the Blues after watching an FA Cup match on television.

Smith’s family will be in the crowd to watch him in action on the hallowed turf at Goodison in the world's most famous cup competition next month – a prospect the defender describes as “just unbelievable”.

“I think the stars were aligned with the draw,” he says. “It will be a great occasion, not just for me, personally, but for the team and club as well.

“When we got back on the coach after the game on Sunday, I put on Z-Cars straight away. I had to!

“I’m hoping that my whole family will be able to go. They will definitely be coming in their numbers.

“We’re from Luton but my dad has always loved Everton, and I followed him.

“It’s hard for me to get to games at Goodison on a Saturday as I’m playing, but I’ll always try to go if it’s a midweek game or on a Sunday.”

Asked who his dream shirt swap would be following the Goodison tie, Smith says: “I’ve actually been speaking about this with my teammates since the third round!

“I always said, 'If we get Everton, then I’m going to have to get Richarlison’s shirt because he’s such a hero at the minute'.

“I love him so, 100 per cent, I have to get his shirt!”