I am Freyja and I am 11 years old. My grandad has always said that Evertonians are born, they don't choose. But, I think I might be the exception!
I was born and live more than a hundred miles away from Goodison Park and up until quite recently, I didn't have any interest in football. But, like a lot of girls my age, I was delighted to see the Lionesses win the European Championships back in 2022.
It was then that grandad asked me if I would like to see a real football game. I was a bit unsure until he said that some of the England players I had been watching would be playing. So, off we went to see Everton play Chelsea.
We lost, unfortunately, but it was too late for me; I had been bitten by the bug!
It's a long way to travel from Malvern in Worcestershire to Walton Hall Park, but grandad has taken me a few times now and I've really enjoyed every trip. What I love is the friendliness of all the people in the ground, and the way the players, who must be so tired after all the work they do on the pitch, come to sign autographs and have photos at the end of the games. They really are very special, and, grandad... I chose to be an Evertonian!
For me, the best thing that happened wasn't at the ground, it was on the way. I was so excited on the way to last season's match against Liverpool at Goodison Park. Not only had I never been to a Premier League football stadium before, this was 'the derby' (which grandad says are the most important games of the year)!
Anyway, we were driving along the East Lancs Road when we were stopped at traffic lights. The car on the inside of us opened its window so I opened mine. The lady in the driver's seat of the other car asked me if I was going to the match... It was Izzy Christiansen! And she had Clare Wheeler with her. We chatted for a while until the lights changed and then we went on our ways.
How cool was that?
Goodison Park was wonderful. We had food in the Fan Zone at the Park End. We even met my cousin who had come up from Malvern to support the other side (I can't say what grandad calls them!). The result was 1-1 but the occasion was much more exciting than that sounds. And I will never forget that the Everton Women's captain was kind enough to stop and speak to me.
No wonder they call Everton 'The People's Club'. I can't wait for the new season already.
By Freyja Aston, Evertonian
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