How Kevin Campbell's first meeting with an Everton supporter shaped his 'electronic connection' with the fans

Kevin Campbell has revealed how he surprised an Everton fan who had no idea he was the Toffees’ new signing back in 1998.

Campbell had been playing at Trabzonspor in Turkey but left after a racist incident involving the club’s president and was looking for a move back to England.

The former Arsenal forward had plenty of clubs after his signature and chose Everton, firing them to safety with nine goals in eight games.

READ MORE: Ronaldo rape allegations – What we know, what we don’t, what next?

READ MORE: Blindly loyal or maverick genius? Pochettino can only be one

READ MORE: Premier League – 10 things to look out for

He was a fan favourite throughout his time at Goodison Park and has now explained how his first encounter with an Everton fan, on his flight to Liverpool to sign, started what he labels an ‘electric connection’ with the Toffees’ faithful.

“Everton played a big part in my footballing life. I made my debut against Everton at Goodison Park in 1988,” Campbell told Yahoo Sport presents: The Football Show.

“When I was out in Turkey that went a bit sour and I had to come back in the March window, which we don’t have anymore.

“There were five clubs in for me, the first name mentioned was Everton and I said ‘that is where I’m going’.

“I got on the flight over and flew up from London. I was sat beside an Evertonian and he didn’t know who I was.

“He was telling me all about Everton, so I said I’m meeting a guy called Smith who is apparently an Everton fan. So he gets through the airport and Walter Smith [then Everton manager] is there.

“He turned around and said ‘are you the new signing, who I just told everything about Everton?’.

“I invited him to the West Ham game [the final one of the season], luckily I scored a hat-trick and he was in tears.

“That affinity just grew. It was an electric connection and it’s been the same ever since.”