Royal Blue: Kansas-based super fan Eric lives the Goodison dream

Feb 11 2012 by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo

PREKI may be only a fleeting moment in Everton’s illustrious history, but the Yugoslavian signed by Howard Kendall created a greater legacy than many think.

The midfielder was signed from US soccer in 1992, and returned there in 1994 where he eventually played for Kansas City Wizards. That spell has already created two generations of Evertonians, according to 34-year-old Toffee Eric Howell.

Kansas-based project manager Eric started following the Blues after Preki turned out for his local club, and his passion for all things Goodison blossomed.

This month saw Eric, his wife Tracie left son Britton, two, at home with the in-laws and made their first journey to the UK, to visit Goodison for their first ever match.

“We timed it well because it was the Manchester City game,” says Eric, who met his countryman Landon Donovan before the game. “The night was magical. I was sitting in the Gwladys Street and the ground was far bigger than it seems on TV. Landon was very accommodating too, very humble and gracious. A classy guy at a classy club.”

Eric co-hosts a weekly cross-Atlantic Everton podcast with season ticket holder Ped McPartland.

The pair have already interviewed Tim Howard and Donovan on their Followtonians show, with gets 5,000 downloads a week. “I also got to experience an away day at the Wigan game before I flew home,” he added. “It was fantastic – before, during and after the game and I didn’t see us lose!”