Sports

Football tourism – why it's not just half and half scarves


The half and half scarf – now a staple part of football memorabilia

Inge Matteeusen and Magali de Cooman soak up the atmosphere as they shuffle along Goodison Road, decked out in freshly-bought blue merchandise.

Having travelled to Merseyside from Belgium for a long weekend, they were originally keen to see Liverpool play, but the Reds weren’t at home so the Toffees are reaping the benefit.

“This is our first game in England,” says Inge. “We have come to Liverpool to see the city but coming to a football game was always going to be a part of our trip.”

“Liverpool weren’t at home but we saw Everton were playing Manchester City,” adds Magali. “And Everton have the same colours as our local team Gent, so we are happy in blue anyway.”

And with that they depart, proudly sporting their newly-acquired colours. They’ll return to Belgium on Monday but will take a little bit of Goodison Park with them.

Football tourism is a booming industry and there is currently no hotter destination than the Premier League.

The most recent study of the economic and social impact of England’s top-flight, conducted by EY for the 2016-17 season,