An Everton fan who has used all his savings to travel to the UK from Australia has had his dream of seeing the Toffees take on Liverpool in the Merseyside derby shattered due to Storm Darragh.
The final clash between the two sides at Goodison Park was due to take place at lunchtime on Saturday, before Everton move to their new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock from next season.
However, the game has been postponed on safety grounds due to the adverse weather conditions which Storm Darragh has brought.
Games in the Championship, League One and League Two have been called off in the past 24 hours owing to the impact of the storm - and this morning it was confirmed the Premier League clash has also been postponed.
An Everton statement confirming the postponement read: "Following a Safety Advisory Group meeting at Goodison Park, attended by officials from both clubs, as well as representatives from Merseyside Police and Liverpool City Council this morning, it was decided that, due to the risk to safety in the local area due to strong wind gusts, and an amber severe wind warning that remains in place until 6am on Sunday, today’s fixture should be postponed on safety grounds.
"We apologise for the inconvenience caused and thank supporters for their understanding. Whilst we appreciate this will be deeply disappointing for supporters, the safety of fans, staff and players is of paramount importance."
The Merseyside derby this afternoon has been postponed. (Image: Getty)
The Merseyside derby this afternoon has been postponed. (Image: Getty)
A new date for the fixture is yet to be announced, but today's postponement has meant a young Everton fan who made the trip to the UK to watch his beloved Toffees in derby action has travelled a very long way indeed to ultimately not see his side take on Liverpool.
In the build-up to the game, Mackenzie Kinsella, 15, travelled tens of thousands of miles from Australia to watch the scheduled last Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.
His Liverpool-born mum Rita told BBC Radio Merseyside: "You've got no chance mate. We've just come back from England [in March] and there's no way I can save that money in the time we've got.
"When we came back [after Easter], he said it was his dream to go to an Everton vs Liverpool game at Goodison Park.
"He saved up the money, used all his savings and said two weeks ago 'I'd really like to go mum - will you let me go?' I said, 'I can't stop you if you've got the money'. We're very proud of him."
Before the postponement, Mackenzie himself said: "Everyone says I'm a lucky charm. I am sure it's going to be special."
Though Mackenzie will now not see the game as planned today due to the postponement, he was able to see the Toffees beat Wolves, his dad's team, 4-0 earlier this week.