Aussie Everton fan's whirlwind derby trip 'a dream'

A teenage Everton fan from Australia who was flown over last minute by captain Seamus Coleman for the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park stadium said his experience was "every Everton fan's dream".

Mackenzie, from Sydney, whose mother was born in Liverpool, had initially saved up and flown over for the derby in December which was called off because of bad weather.

After hearing what happened, the club had reached out and invited the 15-year-old to the training ground to meet the players before he flew home.

Then on Monday he got a call from the club asking if he was in the city.

"Like Tarkowski's goal last night, it all happened very last minute," the 15-year-old said.

"I got a message from someone at Everton asking if I was in Liverpool and I told him the truth and said I wasn't because I couldn't afford the plane ticket.

"Then I was told Seamus Coleman had offered to pay, and the next minute I'm holding plane tickets in my hand and I'm flying to Manchester Airport - crazy."

Speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside after the game the teenager, who said "his voice had gone" from all the shouting, said his experience had been "every Everton fan's dream".

"I met a lot of really cool people and I got to stand under the lights," he said.

"Being pitch side at Goodison was really special.

"I'm really happy to be here and really happy with the results as well.

"Last night sums up perfectly the magic of Goodison."

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