Gareth Clark flew 6,000 miles from South African to ensure he could fulfill his lifelong dream of seeing Everton play in a Merseyside derby.
An Everton fan who travelled 6,000 miles to fulfil a lifelong dream to watch his team play in a Merseyside derby at Goodison Park say he has been left "shattered" after the match was postponed due to Storm Darragh.
Gareth Clark, 29, left Cape Town in South Africa on 27 November before staying in London, Liverpool and Edinburgh ahead of his trip's highlight - the final derby at Goodison Park.
But as high winds and rain battered the west coast as Storm Darragh made its way through, the decision was made to call off the lunchtime kick-off early on Saturday morning.
“It has been my lifelong dream to come and watch Everton, and I finally saved enough money to come and watch my first derby – and, of course, the final derby at Goodison. Also my first time that I have managed to come to the UK,” he said.
Mr Clark, a teacher, said he spent a “vast amount” of money on the trip, including around £750 for flights.
“More than the money, it is my lifelong dream that was shattered when I heard the news this morning,” he said.
Mr Clark said it was “extremely heartbreaking and hard to believe” when he first learned of the news that the event would be postponed.
“I felt just complete shock. It has been a fantastic trip so far, but obviously everything has just been leading up to the reason why I came and I didn’t really believe it and then the time ticks on, and you realise the game should have started over two hours ago.
“I flew into London and I visited a friend and whatnot but it was the real reason I came. Obviously you try and make the most of it, you don’t want to just fly in and out, especially because it’s my first time in the UK.”
Merseyside derby postponed as Storm Darragh hits Liverpool
The game at Goodison Park was called off after Storm Darragh wreaked havoc on the North West. Credit: Everton FC
He said that despite the disappointment, he “completely understands” the decision to postpone the derby.
“I know there’s been a lot of really bad things that have happened in the past … having so many fans in that stadium, you want to make sure everyone is safe.
“It’s definitely the right decision, but it still doesn’t hurt any less.”
Mr Clark emphasised his huge dedication to his team.
“I have been a massive Everton fan for about two decades, dating back to originally watching Steven Pienaar. It didn’t take long for me to fall in love with Everton.
“I’ve met great people along the way who are Everton fans as well.”
## Victim of Storm Darragh who was killed by fallen tree named as football coach## Train lines closed and thousands still without power after Storm Darragh
Mr Clark said he will likely watch Everton play in person in the future, but he is unsure when this will happen due to the financial cost of coming to the UK from South Africa.
“I’m a teacher so, realistically, probably not anytime soon. I’m getting married in April, and the budget will be quite tight. This one was a bit of a spur of the moment when my holidays ended and I had some money saved up.
“I really hope to be able to return to watch our last derby at Goodison, however, financially I do not think it will be possible.
“I’ve been a huge, huge Everton fan for a very long time, so I definitely think that I will be back, I’m just not sure when.”