Everton fan Harry Smith was in attendance at Hill Dickinson Stadium to watch his side draw with Manchester City on Monday night, and he will be back again in July
Harry Smith at Hill Dickinson Stadium
Harry Smith at Hill Dickinson Stadium(Image: (PaddyDouglasPhoto/RLCommercial))
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Harry Smith might be 80 minutes away from a trip to Wembley, but his mind is very much fixed on a date at Hill Dickinson Stadium in July. Smith’s Wigan Warriors side take on St Helens in the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup on Saturday afternoon.
But away from the world of rugby league, Smith is a huge Everton supporter and was in attendance to watch his side’s thrilling draw against Manchester City on Monday night. And the 26-year-old’s love for the Blues means he is counting down the days until this year’s Super League Magic Weekend.
The event will take place at Everton’s new waterfront home, and close to 70,000 tickets have been sold for the event, surpassing the previous record attendance of 68,276 set at Newcastle United’s St James’ Park back in 2016.
The annual festival of rugby league returns on the opening weekend of July and will see RL Commercial return to Hill Dickinson Stadium following strong approval from supporters after hosting last year’s sell-out Ashes Test.
The two-day event, which will take place on Saturday, July 4 and Sunday, July 5, will end with the traditional blockbuster between Smith’s side and the Saints.
Smith has already experienced what it is like playing at Hill Dickinson Stadium after representing England against Australia back in November.
The stand-off was on the wrong end of a 14-4 defeat that afternoon, and he is hoping to secure a win this summer.
“I have been here once or twice before, and it is an amazing experience; the stadium is unbelievable,” he said.
Pyrotechnics at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium before ABK Beer Ashes Series match between England and Australia
Pyrotechnics at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium before ABK Beer Ashes Series match between England and Australia(Image: (Peter Byrne/PA Wire))
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“It is going to be unbelievable; we have been told there are about 70,000 tickets sold so far, so hopefully we can have a sell-out on both days because when I experienced it with England, it was unbelievable.
“I think the atmosphere will be even better, especially because of the rivalry as we play Saints and every game is a rival game.
“The atmosphere should be unbelievable and hopefully we will get the win this time.”
Smith is also hoping that his grandad will be able to make it to the game, as having watched the Blues at Goodison Park, he is yet to visit the club’s new home.
“When I was younger I tried to come to as many as I could (Everton games), but the last few years I didn’t,” he said.
“But I just need to try and bring my grandad before he hits the coffin, basically, to experience what it is like because he’s been to Goodison Park, but he’s never been here. That is my next aim, but I think he will enjoy it.”
Harry Smith in action for England against Australia at Hill Dickinson Stadium
Harry Smith in action for England against Australia at Hill Dickinson Stadium(Image: (Lee Parker - CameraSport via Getty Images))
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This Saturday’s game is the first time the two sides have played each other since the thrilling Good Friday Derby last month.
Trailing 24-10, Paul Rowley’s patched-up Saints side faced a fifth successive defeat by their arch rivals before Bill Leyland inspired a stunning comeback in the closing stages.
Jackson Hastings began the fightback with eight minutes remaining before Tristan Sailor touched down three minutes later, and then Leyland sent Saints fans wild with tries in the 78th and 80th minutes.
“I don’t think it was unbelievable; it was unbelievable for 72 minutes, and I thought we were very good for 72 minutes as we controlled the game,” Smith said, reflecting on his side’s defeat.
“Then it was just an absolute capitulation. I am still scratching my head now as to how we lost it and as a team we still don’t know what happened.
Bill Leyland scores St Helens against Wigan Warriors on Good Friday
Bill Leyland scores St Helens against Wigan Warriors on Good Friday(Image: (Jess Hornby/Getty Images))
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“They just got momentum in those last eight minutes, and we just couldn’t stop it. It was always most heartbreaking the way it went in the end.”
And the Everton supporter admits his side are using the Good Friday defeat as extra motivation for Saturday's showdown at Warrington Wolves' Halliwell Jones Stadium.
“It is not just the game, it is the whole occasion,” he said when asked what it would mean to secure a place in the final at Wembley later this month.
“Taking your family down to London and the whole experience. We were a bit disappointed last year that we went out in the early rounds after winning it the year before.
“We are very determined, especially coming up against the Saints in the semi-finals. After they beat us on Good Friday, there is that little bit of extra motivation."