From despair to delirium in a matter of hours.
An Everton fan named Dan woke up this morning excited at the prospect of bringing his five-year old son to Wembley to take in the FA Cup semi-final clash with Manchester United.
Dan and his son had arranged to travel to London from Liverpool via a coach company who were also supplying the tickets and both were gutted when coach never showed this morning.
Stuck at the rocket with my 5 year old after our coach never showed #gutted
— Dan EFC 1878 (@Dan_EFC1878) April 23, 2016
On way home as we've been let down for coach and ticket despite paying gutted @Everton pic.twitter.com/xv2SpSrFw0
— Dan EFC 1878 (@Dan_EFC1878) April 23, 2016
Dan expressed his frustration at his predicament via Twitter and soon enough, a campaign to get both of them to the game gathered momentum.
Thanks for all the tweets. My lads gutted but he's not one to kick off luckily. Not even arsed about the money. Almost home
— Dan EFC 1878 (@Dan_EFC1878) April 23, 2016
Virgin Trains stepped in to supply transport to London and later in this afternoon, Everton also confirmed that Dan and his son would be invited as guests on the club’s Fanzone stage.
@Dan_EFC1878 @Everton Hi Dan. Are you at the station at the moment? Could you send us a DM with some more details please? ^CB
— Virgin Trains Ticketing (@VirginTrainsTix) April 23, 2016
We're delighted @Dan_EFC1878 & his son are now on their way to Wembley with tickets. We've invited them as guests on our FanZone stage. #EFC
— Everton (@Everton) April 23, 2016
If that wasn’t enough, boxer Tony Bellew, a hardcore Everton fan who recently starred in the movie Creed alongside Sylvester Stallone and Michael B Jordan, also got involved to invite Dan and his son along to his fight against Ilunga Makabu in Goodison Park on May 29.
I'd like to offer you 2 tickets on me to my fight at Goodison Park on May 29th if you can make it little man.. 👍🏽 https://t.co/UWWok4mbVR
— Tony Bellew (@TonyBellew) April 23, 2016
Dan was overwhelmed by the support he received from Everton fans and from elsewhere and his son looked quite happy about it too.
Literally shaking here due to the kindness of our amazing fans and @VirginTrains
— Dan EFC 1878 (@Dan_EFC1878) April 23, 2016
My phone literally can't keep up with the updates but thank you to all blues and others who've helped. We're all sorted and on our way ⚽️⚽️
— Dan EFC 1878 (@Dan_EFC1878) April 23, 2016
He's a happy boy now en route to London. Thanks. @TonyBellew @VirginTrains @MeliaNeill pic.twitter.com/UjiGPB2qir
— Dan EFC 1878 (@Dan_EFC1878) April 23, 2016
Dan was also keen to point out that there was a misunderstanding with the company who were originally supposed to provide transport and tickets and that they will be refunded fully upon their arrival in London.
https://twitter.com/Mugger1878/status/723843692436578304
https://twitter.com/Mugger1878/status/723842976951230464
Fair play to Everton, to Virgin Trains, to Tony Bellew and to everyone else involved; after all that, we hope the match itself is worth it.
