I watched Everton training with several big names as Thierno Barry and teenager impressed

I watched Everton training with several big names as Thierno Barry and teenager impressed

Chris Beesley's Everton tour diary after watching the Toffees train in New York

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Everton started their first full day in the USA with an open training session on Randall’s Island, a corner of the country’s largest metropolis that a Blues staff member described as New York City’s “hidden gem,” but this hidden corner of the Big Apple has played host to some truly gigantic sporting names. The smart but modestly sized Icahn Stadium, a multipurpose track and field facility, opened on April 23, 2005, the day that David Moyes’ Everton drew 1-1 at home to Birmingham City with Duncan Ferguson equalising in the 86th minute to snatch a precious point on their way to their highest-ever Premier League finish of fourth.

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However, it was a case of “After the Lord Mayor’s Show” somewhat given that the Scottish centre-forward had also scored the winner at Goodison Park against Manchester United just three days earlier.

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In its previous incarnation though, the site’s original ground ‘Downing Stadium’ played host to Pele’s first game for New York Cosmos and Jesse Owens qualifying for the 1936 Olympic Games.

Sporting royalty indeed and on this occasion, there were a smattering of stellar names from the Blues’ past in attendance, along with the present and perhaps the future?

Fresh from his exclusive interview with this correspondent for the ECHO, Everton’s former USA international goalkeeper Tim Howard watched on, alongside club ambassadors Graham Stuart and Leon Osman.

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New chief executive Angus Kinnear – who was spotted deep in conversation with David Moyes at Ewood Park after last Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Blackburn Rovers, was on this occasion chatting with Graeme Le Saux who was present as part of ESPN’s broadcasting team, alongside the aforementioned Howard, Robbie Earle, John Champion, Peter Drury and Rebecca Lowe.

Justin Clarke, who became Wimbledon’s youngest-ever senior player aged 15 was part of the group – still shy of his 17th birthday – as was the only new outfield recruit so far this summer, Thierno Barry, training properly with his new team-mates for the first time.

James Tarkowski took part in a mini training game drill towards the end of the session while the goalkeepers were put through their paces separately, although Michael Keane and Semus Coleman did not take part in this section.

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Jarrad Branthwaite did not travel with the group after picking up a minor injury in the 1-0 loss at Blackburn Rovers and given the amount of travel Everton will be doing on this trip, he was kept back in the UK to recover closer to home.

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Moyes – wearing dark sunglasses to protect those piercing blue eyes in the July sun – and his staff and players all looked relaxed as they put on a show for an enthusiastic crowd of several dozen Evertonians who had made their way to get a close-up view of their heroes from across the Atlantic.

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Unlike the temperatures, that are set to continue soaring during this trip, it was all very chilled with local staff happy to help and seemingly thrilled to have such high-profile guests at a one-sided ground where the biggest football draw is usually MLS side New York City FC’s second team.

Pictures from Everton's open training session

Following the training session, which ended with Everton players and staff generously giving up their time to meet and greet the assembled supporters, signing autographs and posing for selfies, James Garner, Vitalii Mykolenko and Nathan Patterson joined shoppers at the American Dream Mall in New Jersey, less than a mile from the MetLife Stadium where the Blues play their first Premier League Summer Series game against Bournemouth on Saturday, to showcase the Everton Takeover with 'The Goodison Experience.' Then in the evening there was a racous atmosphere at the New York Evertonians Supporters Club Welcome Event at the Turnmill bar where Hill Dickinson Stadium architect was a special guest, attending with his wife, as well as former players Graham Stuart and Leon Osman.

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As well as Dan's thoughts on his vision finally becoming a reality on the Mersey waterfront, fans were given an inspiring talk about the work Everton in the Community do while shirt sleeve sponsors Christopher Ward offered touring fans the chance to win a £5,000 watch while also putting a grand behind the bar.

Chris Beesley is the only member of the UK media reporting on Everton throughout their entire time in the USA for the Premier League Summer Series

Meanwhile, the supporters’ groups of all four of the clubs in the Summer Series – at each location – have joined forces on a virtual food drive throughout the tournament.

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All three cities will promote the effort and all proceeds will be donated to a Foodbank in New York City, Chicago and Atlanta.

Inspired by the Fans Supporting Foodbanks initiate back home, it’s a big reminder about how football fans can unite to support local communities and a greater cause.

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