My name is Diogo Contente and, since 2019, I'm a Portuguese Toffee.
My first experience of the Everton reality was back in the autumn of 2019, when I met my girlfriend in Madrid, doing our Erasmus programme. She and her family are all Season Ticket holders at Goodison - die-hard Evertonians from Rainhill.
From the first time she told me about the Club, I just knew that Everton was going to be a part of my life from then on.
My first time at Goodison was back in November 2021, when the COVID-19 pandemic eased slightly and finally allowed me to travel to the UK and meet my girlfriend's family. I still remember that day as if it was yesterday. It was the 7 November 2021. We played Tottenham at Goodison.
We sat in the Gwladys Street (as always) and the final result was 0-0, but the experience was just incredible for me and I knew it would be the first of many, many trips.
The vibrations and sounds of Goodison, the pre-match siren, Z Cars, County Road, the pubs (especially The Brick and The Winslow), and, of course, the people. It was spectacular.
My favourite Goodison experience came on 4 February 2023, against Arsenal. We won 1-0, with a brilliant James Tarkowski header right in front of us at the Gwladys Street. We jumped. We screamed. We celebrated. We hugged (each other and strangers). It was Sean Dyche's first match and it was absolutely class.
Since then I've been to other Everton matches - through good and bad results, in rain and sunshine. Over the summer, I saw us against my Portuguese club (Sporting CP), which was an amazing and unique experience that allowed me to see both of my favourite clubs and socialise with both fanbases at the same time.
Ever Blue, ever true, Everton! UTT.
By Diogo Contente, Evertonian
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