Talks started on how the fans can come back safely

With the raging fear still strong, I can't see how this can happen. Okay, things might be different in September, and the 2-m rule might have finally been relaxed to 1 m. But so many fans will feel unsafe about sitting near half-a-dozen people they don't know for a couple of hours — plenty of time to contract the virus, even if they are technically 'outside'. I just can't see us getting back to anything approaching normality for a very long time.

But then agian, folks can attend rallies and protests, because they are more important, we are told, than maintaining social distancing. And the shops are opening from Monday. Still waiting patiently for pubs and restaurants...

Different sections of society view this issue from a completely different angle, Paul.

I would not attend a match now. I know many of the older posters on here have expressed a concern too, but you only have to see how so many of the younger members of society see the easing of the lockdown as the ending of it.

None of these youngsters would want to spread the virus and the thought of bringing it home and infecting their parents or grand-parents would fill them with horror... BUT!

It's just difficult for youngsters. they have more energy to burn, they have fuller lives to lead and they feel invincible. The older you get, the more you worry about your health, but most of us will remember a time when we took it completely for granted.

I was brought up to respect older people, and I did... but, as soon as they were out of sight, I kinda forgot they existed.

I think they will turn up in huge numbers just as soon as the turnstiles open.

I tend to agree with you, Darren, but don't forget the average age of a Premier League fan is 40-something which means that there's always a large percentage of 60+s in the crowd – very noticeable at Goodison in particular.

Add to this the fact that the younger crew tend to have been financially hardest hit by the crisis and that many are in fear of losing their jobs, I'd suspect attendances will take a dip for some time yet, even if many are chomping at the bit to go to the match.

I think they are talking about maybe letting 10% of the normal crowd enter the ground at the beginning. How would this work and how would they decide match by match who is eligible to attend. How can you ask people to pay up front for season tickets, but not guarantee how many games they can watch. Maybe by the start of the new season the infectious rate is low and maybe might be far better at treating the virus so it isn't as serious as it is now.

I can understand why people would want to get back to normality as quickly as possible, but other than a cure or vaccine I fear it maybe a long time before Goodison is at full capacity.

Darren (2),

I agree entirely with your third paragraph and being honest I doubt I would be any different to most younger people if I was that age again. As you say, things can get better and we will all have a different opinion in three or four months time.

It has been a strange and unique time for everybody these last few months and all of us will reflect on this virus in the future, like most older people my thoughts are almost all on my children and grandchildren and how it affects their future.

I don't miss football but I do miss the arguments here on ToffeeWeb, I bet you do to, Darren!!!

Dave Abrahams. I seem to recall before this all KO that the likes of you and John Mac had already coughed up for next season's season ticket.

I know the club has refunded fans for the remaining games of this bizarre season, but have you had any word about next season?

Way too premature for clarity, I appreciate, as we have no idea when it will start and under what conditions games will be played.

But if, as with this proposal, initial attendance may be limited to 10% capacity - 4,000 for Goodison - I cannot see a case for issuing season tickets unless and until capacity is considerably greater.

How the hell do you pick and choose who gets a 'limited edition' season ticket?

On a side note, with the derby game now looming large, what's the 'R' number in Liverpool and the North-West these days?

I keep seeing reference that whilst London and the South-East numbers are falling that is not the case in Everton's geo location.

Jay, the R in the NorthWest is 1.01 I believe.

I've paid for my season ticket next season but have heard nothing from Everton about plans. Far too early I guess.

Jay (6), like Brent I have heard nothing about how next season will be operated regards to supporters and getting into the ground.

I never expect to hear anything from Everton until they are ready to let us know what is happening about anything really.

That is why I was surprised the hear from a nice happy pleasant young girl from the club, just a couple of hours ago, thanking me for my donation to EitC from this season's ticket.

EitC do a great job of looking after the people around the club so they were very welcome to my donation, now wouldn't be lovely if the dog could make us as happy as it's tail.

Like Brent and Dave, I've heard nothing about what happens with regards next season's season ticket. I've also paid in full for my ticket, and it's just my hunch, but if fans, or the majority of fans, aren't allowed to attend games at Goodison next season, then for anyone who's paid or in the process of paying, ie, paying monthly, then could this count for the season 2021-22?

Jay says there may be a proposal that only 10% of the Goodison capacity will be allowed to attend home matches next season. He's quite right when he says how on earth do the club determine who can attend? Without being selfish though, shouldn't all those who have attended all away games this season (bar four games) be at the top of the list?

Jay – like the other guys, I've paid (prior to the current crisis kicking off) upfront for next season; however, at the age of 70, I have grave doubts that I would risk setting foot inside Goodison any time soon.

I have no doubt that Everton would refund me in due course; however, I've also paid for my grandson as his 12th-birthday present – he is autistic so unable to attend if I don't, which leaves me in an awkward position.

And that's to say nothing of the fact that, as he might never get the benefit of his present, I've now got to get him something else!

Rob #9 – I agree with you about giving some form of priority to those who've attended away games however as I've said, it's unlikely I'd go, despite almost (didn't qualify for Bournemouth) meeting the "criteria" you suggest.

Martin, with your record, I guess you'd qualify. There certainly won't be four thousand who have attended every away game this season. If you remember the end of last season, there was an invite to Finch Farm for all those who had attended all away games last season. If I remember rightly, only about 400-500 turned up, although I appreciate not everyone who qualified could have attended the event.

Rob (9), absolutely nothing selfish about the way those who follow the team to the majority of away games getting preference if the home games next season are drastically reduced. I take my hat off to all fans, like yourself, who travel in all weathers to support the Blues, without very little enjoyment it must be added.

I rather think Mr Halligan should be allowed into Goodison Park a week on Sunday.

He is occasionally quite vitriolic in his dislike of our neighbours, I would be happy for him to be our representative and spokesperson during the match.

Peter @ 14.

Seconded.

Time to launch an online petition, peoples!

(Or is that too akin to Kopite behaviour for our Rob?)

More money, more talk.

Yes the government will try their best to ease restrictions ASAP as they are buffoons.

They were slow and careless during the peak of it so I can only presume they're not concerned if another 40,000 die, especially if they're old or have expensive illnesses. Anything that helps reduce the pension pot, NHS queues and the focus on poor Brexit decisions.

All businesses, including our club, will try and get as many fans into the stadium as possible for atmospheric (cash) reasons.

I don't like nor trust the government and I'll be staying put until I'm satisfied the death and the spread of the disease is all but over, no matter what BJ says.

But yes, loyal fans should have priority.