A Summer to Remember

By Alan Brody, Baltimore Toffees Supporters Club

A new Premier League season brings hope, optimism and … ah, who am I kidding? Evertonians wallow in despair, negativity and the feeling that anything that can go wrong will go wrong.

Case in point, Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s latest injury that means the terrifying prospect of Dele Alli or Salomon Rondon starting up top for an extended period of games, barring a transfer.

But as the Toffees embark on this new season, let’s reflect on an unforgettable summer for Blues in the USA.

Opening Night at Luckie’s Tavern with Tim Howard

Whispers that Everton would come to Baltimore for a summer friendly surfaced in early April, but it was all very hush hush. Add to that the fact that we were mired in the relegation battle until the season’s penultimate fixture, so the focus was solely on staying up.

By the time salvation arrived off DCL’s head and full time set off memorable scenes of relief and jubilation at Goodison Park, the summer friendly between Arsenal and Everton – dubbed the Charm City Match – had already been announced. Members of the Baltimore Toffees Supporters Club had immediately begun floating ideas and collaborating on what events would be part of the festivities.

Early on, we knew this would attract thousands of fans from across the globe. Blues who had missed out on the Florida Cup the prior year due to COVID restrictions were determined to see their beloved club.

Our goal was to showcase Baltimore and, of course, to put on a party for all Evertonians, while fulfilling the club’s commitment to community.

Constant text threads, numerous late-night conversations with EFC representatives, and intense planning occurred for weeks. We were determined to plan out every detail to ensure nothing would be left to chance and that everyone who came to our town would be buzzing – and probably more than a little buzzed.

Suffice to say, the weekend was a massive success – so much so that many of us didn’t even care about the wretched performance on the pitch against Arsenal. From the opening event at Luckie’s Tavern to the supporters kickabout to the incredible tailgate at Gameday Firehouse and the march to M&T Bank Stadium, there are few words to accurately summarize the experience.

It only happened because so many poured their heart and soul into it: then-Baltimore Toffees President AJ Rosenthal was our captain and the immense contributions of new president Mike Sproge, along with JT Dulany, Peter Hanna, Evan Raimist, Carol Gorman, Joe McGinley and many others were critical. A special shoutout is necessary to Everton Fans’ Forum Chair Tony Sampson who provided support and guidance every step of the way. We’re also grateful to Mo Maghazachi and Christine Prior with Everton FC, as well as Darren Griffiths and the legendary Leon Osman, who not only showed up at every single event but seemed to relish engaging with every single fan that approached during the weekend.

Sometimes, it’s jaw-dropping that this great football club and this amazing fan base came to Baltimore this summer for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. But we didn’t only party hard; we left a lasting impression and made, in true Everton fashion, an impact on the community. Between the money spent at the tailgate and through raffles and merchandise sales, we generated more than $10,000 for the Baltimore City Firefighters Widows and Orphans Fund, the local chapter of the National Alliance for Mental Illness and other local organizations.

Simply staggering.

It’s an incredibly satisfying payoff for the work our Baltimore Toffees group put into the weekend. We hope everyone who came feels the same and enjoyed their visit to Charm City.

For me, it reinforced all the reasons I became an Everton fan – although, as the saying goes, “We do not choose; we are chosen.” My connection to the club is stronger than ever and I’ve made friends that I hope will last for many years to come.

Heck, I might even do something completely out of character and irrational for an Evertonian.

As a new season begins, I am full of hope and optimism that better days lie ahead for a fan base who so richly deserve it. UP THE TOFFEES!