The first Everton supporters to enter the club’s stunning new home have spoken of their pride at being able to pay tribute to a much-loved son and brother.
Connor Ainsworth passed away last year, aged 30, having lived with complex medical needs. Those did not prevent him from being a huge fan of the Blues, however, even attending games with his family.
In recognition of Connor’s support, and of the immense work he did to help his brother, Everton invited Keirnan Ainsworth to be the first person to ever go through the turnstiles when the new stadium hosted its first match last month.
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It was a touching offer and one that meant a huge amount to the Ainsworth family, from Aintree, who took their tribute banner to Connor with them for the Under-18s game against Wigan Athletic.
Reflecting on an emotional night, Keirnan told the ECHO: “It was great. It was a bit of a shock to be asked and the experience is still a blur. There was already excitement at going to see the new stadium but being the first supporter to enter was surreal. It is definitely something I will be telling the grandchildren about.
“It was a special moment, especially because we had the banner with us. It was our way of bringing him with us - that was our way of having him there.”
Connor will be permanently recognised at the waterfront stadium, with his image set to feature on the Everton Wall and a commemorative stone set to be laid outside the South Stand in his memory.
It will be a touching recognition of his support, dad Thomas said. Speaking of the time they spent together at Goodison, he said: “I was a very proud dad. To be able to have both of my sons with me despite Connor’s difficulties made me very proud. He would be at the match with his dad, with his brother and sometimes his mum, it meant everything to me.”
Thomas said the move from Goodison will be tough. But the experience provided by the club was a memorable one that will help him carry Connor’s spirit with him to the banks of the Mersey.
Speaking on the eve of Everton hosting the second test event there, with 25,000 supporters due to watch the club’s U21s in action, he said: “We were able to take the banner and put it out at the stadium to recognise Connor. Everton were really good, the club was amazing and allowing us to be the first there was the icing on the cake.
“It was a fantastic evening, even if it was bitterly cold. I didn’t like the ground when I first saw the images but now it has been built it looks incredible.”
