Everton have sent a special invite to a young fan who has made a 21,000-mile return trip from from Australia to see the final Premier League Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park
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Everton captain Seamus Coleman has invited Mackenzie Kinsella (inset with his nan, Jo) to Finch Farm after the 15-year-old travelled from Sydney for the final Premier League Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park, only for the game to be postponed
Everton captain Seamus Coleman has invited Mackenzie Kinsella (inset with his nan, Jo) to Finch Farm after the 15-year-old travelled from Sydney for the final Premier League Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park, only for the game to be postponed
A young Evertonian who made a 21,000-mile return trip to Liverpool from Sydney to watch the final Premier League Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park only for the fixture to be postponed, has been sent a special invite to Finch Farm by captain Seamus Coleman.
Despite being just 15, Australian Blues fan Mackenzie Kinsella, who inherited his love for the club from his Scouse mum Rita, who settled down under after travelling to Sydney as a backpacker for the 2000 Olympic games, saved up the money to make the long-haul football pilgrimage so he could be part of Everton history.
In an article published on Friday when Mackenzie was still looking forward to the game, his mother told BBC News: “When we came back [after Easter], he said it was his dream to go to an Everton v 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.”
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Thankfully for the teenager, who has been staying with his aunt during the trip of a lifetime, he at least got to see Everton defeat his dad’s team Wolverhampton Wanderers 4-0 on Wednesday night, prompting him to say: “Everyone says I'm a lucky charm. I am sure it's going to be special.”
Mackenzie has now had his blow cushioned by a personal invite from club captain Seamus Coleman to the club's Finch Farm training base on Monday. BBC Radio Merseyside show the Republic of Ireland international saying: "I know you will be so disappointed today, I know how hard you saved up to travel from Australia for the Merseyside Derby, you were looking forward to the experience, being at the last Merseyside Derby at Goodison.
“We all are, all us Evertonians are, we were all looking forward to the game. But we'd love to see you here, down at the training ground on Monday, if that's ok with you.
“Hopefully you can see a few of the lads and hopefully it will make up for some of the disappointment and we can have a chat then.”
He also received a message from a kindred spirit, Ric Wee. After the landmark fixture was postponed on Saturday morning just four hours before kick-off, the youngster’s fellow Blue Wee replied to the article on X by saying: “Time to start a Support Group. Hello Mackenzie!”
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Wee, a lawyer from Malaysia, became an internet sensation a decade ago when, after 30 years of following Everton from afar, he flew over for their home game with Crystal Palace, only for the fixture to be postponed a mere hour before kick-off, again because of blustery conditions, prompting the Blues’ Spanish winger Gerard Deulofeu to pen his iconic: “Very, very wind,” tweet.
Wee took to the same platform to announce: “Sadly Everton v Palace match called off due to bad weather. Dream to watch EFC play will continue to be on hold.”
However, after spotting his message, club staff arranged for Wee to meet manager Roberto Martinez and players, including Leighton Baines, in the home dressing room at Goodison Park.
Then, less than three months later, he was back to watch Everton versus Manchester City, although unlike Mackenzie, he didn’t inspire a victory for his heroes as they were beaten 3-2.