Popular “Teas for Fans” ritual to return at St Luke's

Friday, 3 August, 2018 17comments | Jump to most recent

A popular matchday ritual is to make a welcome return for the 2018/19 season starting at Everton's pre-season friendly fixture against Valencia at Goodison Park this weekend.

‘Teas for Fans' has been operating from St Luke's Church on the corner of Goodison Road and Gwladys Street for over 30 years, offering supporters the chance to enjoy pre-match refreshments of tea, coffee and hot chocolate among fellow Evertonians.

The initiative had been delivered solely by volunteers from the Church but last season the activity had to stop due to a variety of logistical, funding and staffing issues. However, for the 2018/19 season, Everton's Events Team working alongside the Everton Fans' Forum, St Luke's Church and the Liverpool Diocese have ensured the return of the popular pre-match gathering.

‘Teas for Fans' will be open to supporters in St Luke's Church three hours before kick-off and will close 30 minutes before the team walk out to Z-Cars. Supporters can gather in a family friendly environment and enjoy a variety of hot and cold drinks and biscuits, with prices starting from just £1.

Gary Evans, Chair of the Everton Fans' Forum said: “We are delighted to work alongside the Club and St Luke's Church to continue one of the most iconic pre-match rituals in English football.

“I remember going to ‘Teas for Fans' in my formative match going years and the different collection of mugs available to drink from always intrigued me.

“Teas for Fans will stay true to its history and will provide a covered, warm and safe place for Evertonians to gather in the build up to a Goodison fixture be it a weekend afternoon or mid-week match under the lights. We'll have members of the Fans' Forum there every matchday volunteering, we'll be around for chat over a cuppa and talk all things Everton.”

The memorial garden at the Church will not be open on a matchday but families wishing to visit the garden can do so after worship on Sundays.

Any profits made from ‘Teas for Fans' will be donated to St Luke's Church at the end of the season.

Tickets for Everton's final pre-season fixture of the season at home to Valencia on Saturday 4 August (3pm kick-off) are still available to purchase. Priced at £15 for adults, £10 for under-25s and over-65s, and just £5 for under-18s, tickets can be purchased online, over the phone on 0151 556 1878 or in person at the Goodison Road box office. Opening times for all the Club's ticketing outlets can be found here.

For any disability ticket requests, please call 0151 530 5396.

Reader Comments (17)

Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer

Peter Anthony
1 Posted 03/08/2018 at 06:34:03

St Luke's is part of the magic of Goodison Park. Being able to get decent and good value scran and a cuppa in a bustling warm family atmosphere just brilliant. The cornucopia of evertonia upstairs just adds to the magic. Rev Harry Ross as retired but the new gang are just as wonderful. Proper. ðŸ‘ COYB.

Phil (Kelsall) Roberts
3 Posted 03/08/2018 at 11:07:25

The church is also open for prayer.

We need to remember, the Lord favours no one but we are all equal in his sight.

Kev Jones
5 Posted 03/08/2018 at 11:27:34

Thanks for the update and good to hear that this space is available again for blues fans. Its a reminder,one made by our new CEO in her inaugural professorial speech at Liverpool Hope University, of the faith based blue thread running through the history of our club.

Colin Metcalfe
7 Posted 03/08/2018 at 11:44:49

Great news I might just pop in for the first game against Southampton!
Slightly off topic but I paid £48 for that ticket and it's with restricted views, we urgently need a new ground because that's simply not value for money .

Jamie Evans
8 Posted 03/08/2018 at 12:48:22

Great to see the fan's forum getting involved to help a matchday institution.

While there, go upstairs and visit the EFC Heritage Society. Always interesting stuff on display.

David Pearl
9 Posted 03/08/2018 at 14:07:54

Whatever they serve can't be any worse than what's available in the ground. Us atheists love a good cup of coffee.

Jamie Crowley
10 Posted 03/08/2018 at 14:13:18

And I'm sure the God-fearing people at the church don't mind you having a cup of coffee David!

Dave Abrahams
11 Posted 03/08/2018 at 15:02:16

David (9), David, atheists pay 20% more than us Christians and other faiths at St Luke's!!!!

Craig Walker
12 Posted 03/08/2018 at 15:02:41

Taking my 7-year old son and the missus for their first ever visits to Goodison tomorrow. I think the missus is more excited at the prospect of Teas For Fans than watching the Blues! Hoping my lad feels the same as I did when I first visited the Old Lady.

Mike Keating
13 Posted 03/08/2018 at 16:51:37

Craig, after this pre season shambles, I'm inclined to agree with her; a cup of tea and a wet nelly preferable to anything being served up on the pitch.
Useless Fact
Goodison is one of a handful of stadiums in the world to share its ground with other buildings but the ONLY one to encompass a church. Any chance we can take it with us to the Bramley Moore?

Jack Convery
14 Posted 03/08/2018 at 19:32:21

Good point Mike - a small chapel dedicated to St Luke built within the new stadium and accessible before a match would in my opinion be a good idea. Used to love tea and a slice of cake at St Lukes - good to see the tradition revived. Congratulations to all involved.

Alan Rodgers
15 Posted 03/08/2018 at 19:49:50

Good news, I've missed the old place.

Paul Birmingham
16 Posted 03/08/2018 at 23:38:49

It's vpp, it couldn't operate, last season, based on these reasons.

Hopefully the club will learn. Great to be back.

James MacGlashan
17 Posted 04/08/2018 at 07:45:17

Great stuff. I also wish we'd take down the big screens inside the ground, at least the one blocking off the church. St. Luke's should be visible as part of the ground. Personally I think the screens are an eyesore and I'd get rid of both.

David Waugh
18 Posted 06/08/2018 at 13:57:53

Agreed James, we should cherish our heritage, not cover it up. Would leave the other screen though.

Michael Lynch
19 Posted 06/08/2018 at 14:28:13

Whenever I visit the top London grounds, and marvel at their facilities and sight-lines, I always think "ah but can you get a cup of tea off the club's chaplain in an old Church Hall?".

I'd change many things about Goodison, it's well past its sell-by date, but St Luke's is a unique and wonderful reminder of the great days before Sky invented football. It's the thing I'll miss the most when we move.

Eugene Ruane
20 Posted 07/08/2018 at 11:19:07

Good news, although it could mean some bad-tempered plod knocking about the place this season. Every time I put my beak through the door last season, there were 20 fat coppers in there drinking mugs of tea and eating hob nobs three at a time. Soon as the saw a 'civilian', they all became Grafton bouncers - "Sorry mate, It's fat sweaty coppers only." Maybe they'll be a little peeved that the public are being allowed in again (hope so). Up the Toffees!

Add Your Comments

In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site.

» Log in now

Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site.

About these ads