Fans could return in limited numbers in October

The way we are playing we would be lucky to fill Goodison at 16,000!!!

I already raised an issue on this on a separate thread regarding the final extension date for season ticket renewal which in itself is cause for concern (LFC as far as I know are not asking season ticket holders for a renewal fee until the future for next term is clear).

I had asked the club what would happen in the event of an early restart which I did not regard as safe (as now seems likely) – would my choice be respected and entitle me to a refund or would I simply forfeit the match fee?

This was the response:

“As stated in the FAQs, we will follow government advice on when live sport can resume with fans in attendance. Until we know more information on this, we would not be able to advise on the situation should any fans choose to not attend due to health concerns. We will advise supporters once we have more information from both the Government and the Premier League.”

The reply hardly constitutes an answer and I'm left wondering where it leaves anyone with an underlying health condition who is not convinced by the government's selective use of ‘the science' to reopen football grounds.

I remember going to a midweek game in the '70s with only 15,000 fans present. There were more thrown cushions on the pitch than punters.

Mike, I've been paying for next season since April! Mine was on auto-renew so the direct debit keeps going out.

Wow, John Lennon Airport and all the hotels are gonna be way down on bookings for Anfield matches.

Steve #4,

I haven't paid up yet while my fellow Blues in PE DD have but the question relates to all of us who want to hang on to our seats – will the club respect our concerns about safety or simply hang on to the dosh?

I suppose on reduced capacity, those who don't wish to take up their seats for the season offer a partial solution for the club trying to sort out which fans will be admitted to games.

I just wish the club would be more supportive of their fans – after all, they will have to answer this question at some time and must have considered it.

Colin #3, I remember going to see Coventry on 31 December 1983 and there were only 13,000 there and there were hardly any left at the end to throw cushions!!!

16 months later, we were Champions, with something like 7 or 8 of the team that drew 0-0 that night... go figure.

At least with 16,000, everyone will have an unrestricted view, just about.

How are the club going to work this one out?

36,000 season ticket holders and only 16,000 places.

It's a good job the Premier League clubs don't need the fans' money to survive.

This could spell the end for a lot of Football League clubs.

The club refunded STHs quite promptly for the 5 games we were unable to attend and no doubt will do the same for the new season, where necessary.

At this point we don't know how it will be decided who will be allowed to attend future games. To be fair, it should be different fans for each game, decided by seat numbers perhaps or will family ties come into it if they are from the same household?

We have about 33,000 STHs of which many, like me, will have blindly renewed simply to hold onto their seat. Perhaps the over 65s will be excluded from the 'lottery' or fans who live outside the city. Nobody knows but I think the club usually do right by the fans.

The point about people not feeling safe to go to Goodison is valid but surely it's no riskier than going to the supermarket?

I am an occasional visitor to Goodison, living in Somerset and running my own businesses so usually working weekends, so see Everton away more than at home. I haven't seen them win very often!

I won't be going anywhere near any football match until I have been vaccinated or there is some effective treatment or this virus is no longer circulating.

Alan #9,

I don't think we can compare supermarket shopping (pretty well established social distancing and enforcement) with attending a football match where fans are by nature unruly and given to cheering or (more likely) hurling abuse.

They tend to go for a pre-match pint or two and always need to go for a piss. I am not convinced that this will be achievable with the same level of security we get in Tescos. However, against the vested interests involved (TV, FA, EPL, etc) the safety of fans is probably rock bottom.

As it will probably go ahead, I agree with you on the other point – the club need to sort out a fair system of allocation and my suggestion would be that older and at-risk fans are given the option to renew their seat and then claim a full refund, freeing up the seat for reallocation to others who are happy to follow government advice.

They should pick the 16,000 by lots. Those not selected should then be issued with a pack of needles that can be heated in the microwave just before the match for insertion into the eyeballs. This will give them the closest approximation to actually being at the match in recent times.

I can't see any intelligent way around this proposal, for a start off who chooses what category of fans take up 40 percent of the stadium?

A far better solution would have been to keep all season ticket holders from last season on notice without having them shell out for an entire season ticket right now and if and when they allow a certain number back in, STHs be informed email or post and they can take the option of buying individual match ticket on a first dibs basis.

They could alternate the games between the 30,000 plus season ticket holders, that way everyone has an opportunity.

Primarily though this should be exclusive only to season ticket holders from last season.

People must remember there is 40,000 seats available, we should give all tickets to season ticket holders so all ST holders get 1 in 2 games and they then decide to donation other ticket money or claim back. Derby or others is just unfortunately decided on how you fall on the draw.

I do feel sorry for all supporters who buy other tickets that are available but, in trying times, we just have to get on with it as best we can.

No solution is ideal and whatever I'd decided we will all have a moan... but worse things are happening at the moment.

Jim - far too sensible. Hate to admit it but I think that's what they are doing across the park.

Anyone know how many clubs are asking for season ticket renewals up front?

Everyone who attended all away games, last season and this, should, or probably will, have first priority on attending homes games next season, until the capacity can be returned to its full maximum.

Rob – that's a fair way of doing it.

No vested interest, you understand!

Of course, Brent. I've no interest in this at all!!

It's incredibly complicated. I'm guessing that nobody will get their allocated seat, because they will want to spread people across the stadium, leaving every other seat/every other row empty. Perhaps logic would suggest that they ask all season ticket holders if they want to:

1. Apply to go to every/some games
2. Put their season ticket (and allocated seat) on hold until 21-22 season
3. Ditch the season ticket completely.

On that basis, I would ask for my season ticket to be put on hold, as I live outside the city and would struggle to organise visits if I wasn't sure which match I would be allocated, or whether Sky would then change the time/date.

Perhaps priority should be given to families with 2-4 adjacent seats. I assume there will be no away fans, so that frees up a few thousand seats. I would also assume the option to put individual matches on StubHub would be withdrawn, otherwise I could keep my season ticket and make a small fortune touting out each game I'm allocated.

The alternative would simply be to refund half of the cost of the season ticket, and tell people they can go to every other home game. Problem with that is how you get fans to spread out and not bunch together spraying spit and bits of pie over each other.

I dunno, it would need some very smart thinking.

I think expecting the club to have an answer to the question on season ticket allotment when we don't even know when fans will be allowed back into the stadium; in what numbers they will be allowed back; or even when the new season will start, is being unduly critical.

Everton was the first club to do the right thing at the start of the pandemic by not putting match day staff on unpaid furlough. It was one of the first clubs to announce refunds to STH for this interrupted season.

I am confident they will do the right thing when they have a clearer picture of just what will be allowed when attending spectators are allowed again.

In the meantime, I would love to know what science BoJo's pronouncements in recent days is based on to boldly state spectators will soon be able to attend live events and that everything will be jolly and hunky-dory by Christmas.

Some poor bugger is gonna get Lower Bullens, and those luxury seats and the ridiculous restricted view. And as for the toilets!

Jay

As you say, the club have made the right call on all the issues that have arisen since Covid-19 struck. But I am a little puzzled as to why they have asked us to renew our season tickets without knowing when the season will start and how they plan who can watch which games. I like many have renewed but won't be in any hurry to get back inside Goodison until an effective treatment or vaccine has been found.

As for Bojo he is more concerned with the economy than he is with damping down the virus, we are still averaging over 80 - 100 deaths a day, unlike Scotland who have had no deaths for 5 consecutive days and they still haven't opened pubs fully.

Plus all the scientists in this country are all saying heading into the flu season in Autumn and Winter, when the season will be in full swing unless we are very careful, then a 2nd spike is almost inevitable, and most are against relaxing any more of the lockdown measures.

Like many I've already paid for my season ticket but confident the club will do the right thing as they have up to now. October is just a possibility; so much to be worked out yet.

I don't see how they can provide us with any update at the moment as the situation is so fluid.

Regarding our neighbours I've been told that they've recently informed all season ticket holders that they will need to submit a photo for next season. Maybe facial recognition technology coming in?

Rob, I was having a pop at myself!

A ‘better bloo' competition should be held to decide who gets a seat.

Worth it to see the results!!!

Well, they could solve maybe a couple of thousand of those seats by looking at their list of away supporters and giving those going to the most games priority for the home games.

John, that miserable Halligan guy wins it hands down.

Thank you to those who suggest that over-65s could be excluded from attending matches.

I think Everton have done their best to treat season ticket holders fairly. We have just renewed our season tickets and we shall be happy to attend matches, including the train journey to Kirkdale, even if it means having to suffer wearing a mask for two hours.

At present, the virus has declined to the point that average daily deaths from all causes are actually slightly lower than last year in Scotland, Wales Northern Ireland, whilst Public Health England have been castigated for reporting deaths of people who have tested positive but died later from other causes, as being Covid-related, therefore inflating the figures.

The recovery of the economy is now the top priority, not fear of a second wave that may never happen.

Probably a good job there's no Norwich fans at Carrow Road today. Norwich had two players sent off in the first half and then concede right on half-time.

I would give my seat up to an Evertonian who never misses a game, Rob, but it's a bit of a closed shop getting a ticket for an away game. Meaning just because someone has got the credit, then it doesn't mean he's been to all the games.

Although I don't think this applies to you or Brent. 👍👏

Very true, Tony. I've seen plenty of posts on the threads where people are selling tickets for away games, even before the tickets are actually on sale.

People know they will qualify for a ticket, but buy it just to keep up their credits, knowing full well they won't be attending the match. Unfortunately this is something the club cannot keep a track of.

Tony, I have to come clean. Although I’ve got a full whack of away credits, my wife’s condition has meant that occasionally I’ve had to sell my ticket on.

I think I might have told this before but the last game at Southampton I stayed at my lad’s down there and we went to the game together. I borrowed a pair of his walking shoes as it absolutely pissed down and both the soles fell off. Bastard, and the sacrifices I made for him as a lad.

Brent (32) at last you know how I bleedin' feel.

Sacrifices, you don't know the half of it!!!

Nice one, Dave. But I’m sure he wouldn’t set you up with a duff pair of boots.

Brent @32, hey mate, I hope your wife is all right. None of my business but I know that sort of thing is tough.

Thanks, Tony. I really appreciate that.

Brent, ditto Tony Hill

Thanks, Jeff.

16,000? I remember 1992-93, the crowds dipped to around that for some home games. I was at the game with Southampton in December '93 when HK resigned after the game and the attendance was just over 13,000 that day.

I wonder how the club will cater for the fans considering we've around 31,000 season ticket holders? Perhaps season ticket holders will be able to attend every other game.

Stephen @7, you brought back a memory there, as I remember it was bitterly cold as well which didn't help either. Strange too that 16 months later we managed to turn things around, can't see a repeat in this current climate unfortunately though!

Who in their right would want to watch this shower anyway?

Ste,

That's the only way they can do it. Every other game.

How can it be fair to just give those supporters who went to away games last season (including those who simply claimed they did)?

I know people in my age group who have been going to away games for 40-50 years who can no longer get to them. Are people really suggesting they miss out?

Personally, I won't be attending until the risk of this virus is brought to a minimum, or somebody comes up with a vaccine.

Tony and Rob,

I live too far from home to attend home fixtures but go to as many away games in the south as I can. I rely on ST holders for my tickets for these games and, after the Chelsea game, a southern blue was lambasting me for being part of “the problem”.

I didn't really understand his point and I'm not sure still? Am I depriving some more deserving blues of away tickets by buying unused ones off STH?

The usual sources for my tickets also go away games btw but can't make all of them and also give me contacts to others who can't make the odd game so I'm not sure how me taking those tickets makes me “part of the problem” – as this guy was trying to say?

Rob & Brent, another indiscriminate way of allocating a limited number of seats would be all those with a 'B' or an 'R' in their Christian name would qualify for a ticket! :-)

Interesting to see how they will maintain safe minimum distancing with 16,000 entering the stadium half-an-hour before kick-off.

Mark @43, what does being a STH have to do with away games?

You have to build up away credits by buying away tickets. It's a bit of a closed shop. Not that I envy our travelling support

Ignore Boris, it won't happen. The 2nd wave will arrive and scupper his puppet-master's plans.

Derek #44

"Rob & Brent, another indiscriminate way of allocating a limited number of seats would be all those with a 'B' or an 'R' in their Christian name would qualify for a ticket!"

Yes! And anybody with initials DK!

Alan #46 "You have to build up away credits by buying away tickets. It's a bit of a closed shop".

Alan, when I came back to Merseyside to live, I had no away credits but it is possible over a few seasons to get there. It took me three seasons I think.

Tickets are released for each away game in several tranches, depending on number of credits already earned; for games a long distance away and/or in the evening when it's impossible to get public transport back, you can get into that third tranche of tickets. And the next season piggy-back from there into getting tickets released in the second tranche, and so on.

"How can it be fair to just give those supporters who went to away games last season (including those who simply claimed they did) ?"

"Claims" to have been to away games and have credits can easily be verified!

Simple answer: open the ground and fill it or don't open it at all.

Alternative weeks, yeh? Miss the derby... but you will be able to watch the next match against Watford.

Agreed, Mike. In other words, push the season back. One season has already been ruined. I see no reason to turn the next one into another farce by playing behind closed doors or with half-full stadiums.

Football timetables, as I understand it, have to be altered in any event in order to accommodate the 2022 World Cup schedule.

Perhaps there would be a case for starting the cash-starved League One and League two in September with reduced capacities, given how low attendances generally are relative to ground capacity.

Brent @48, thought that may meet your approval, no comment from Rob though on the matter! :-)

Derek, you know Rob is a miserable bugger! Send him some of your jokes!!

(My dear lady was getting a bit suspicious of my dirty laughter at your jokes on WhatsApp!)

Brent, I'm glad you have a laugh but can't claim to be the author, I just get them and then send them on, and leave it to the individual to be his own censor. Admittedly, some are brilliant, but others are a bit near the knuckle! :-)

We are moving into a new phase of Covid-19. With the risks more clearly defined, the under 50s, those with a tiny risk of hospitalization, are out and about. Those who are vulnerable are sensibly sheltering in place or in a limited bubble.

The club are in a tough position but I'd think perhaps, rather sadly, those in the latter bracket will make their own mind up and stay away until it's unequivocally safe.

Personally, I can see no fair way of doing it other than a lottery for STHs. You can preclude yourself from entry on a weekly basis if you so choose, or perhaps pass it on if you feel inclined?

Derek, I think your idea is a brilliant one, though I wouldn't allow anyone who has the same initials as Bull Shit!! 😁😁😁

Brent @49, thanks. I know it can be done like that.

A few years ago I built up a few credits from home cup games and then used them all to get a semi-final ticket.

I don't blame the away regulars for monopolising tickets. The poor sods deserve a bit of reward.

Ah, Rob. You know how to hurt a fella!

The guilty will always flag themselves up.

Watford, clinging onto their Premier League life, with just two games to play, are set to sack Nigel Pearson. What is the matter with that club? That will be three managers sacked this season.

I've seen that announced before, Rob, like you say, it smacks of a panicked reaction, holding a gun with a hair trigger. Hope it comes back to bite them on the arse, and we get Deulofeu back!

What no-one has mentioned is will away fans get the 40% allocation of the away end?

I fully expect the likes of Liverpool and Man Utd will throw in some safety first, 'not safe for away fans to attend' to big up more seats for their own fans.

Rob,

Watford had eight points and were rock bottom when Pearson took over. He has given them half a chance to escape.

Mind you, he has had lots of previous of doing okay with teams while falling out with his bosses and ending up being out of a job.

I don't know the ins and outs of this one, but we do know he's no diplomat.

Over the past couple of years, Everton's requirements for reserving season tickets for the following season have been nothing short of disgraceful.

This season, the club demanded full payment of the renewal by the 7 April. At the time that demand was made, and the same applied the previous season, there was not even any guarantee that the club would then still be in the Premier League.

This season, as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the date has been moved to the end of July.

The only other club to have made an announcement on next season is Spurs. They want 20% of the cost by 7 August. Knowing what we know about start dates reduced capacities etc, that seems pretty fair to me. Let's see what the other clubs come up with.

Last season, Everton had a cut-off date nearer the end of April than this season. I spoke to all the leading clubs and Everton were the only Premier League club demanding payment for the following season before the end of May.

I have written many times to the Club and some of the supposed fans' organisations but have never received any response. Everton are always beating the drum about how they support the fans etc. Their season ticket policy tells a different story. Also, are we really that broke?

Anthony, I don't know where you're getting this information about Everton wanting full payment on season ticket renewals from, but it's certainly not true.

For many years now, the club have offered fans the opportunity to pay for season tickets on a monthly direct debit scheme, anything between 9 and 12 monthly payments.

There are many clubs I know of who do not offer such a facility and who do want full payment up front, but Everton is clearly not one of them.

Rob, to get that option, you need to renew in February, and presumably there is a good chunk of interest to pay.

The date for renewal using the monthly payment scheme ended last night but – because of internet issues – I missed that particular deadline and will have to pay the whole amount by next Tuesday. I think there was an added charge of circa £40 to use the Direct Debit facility and the monthly payment was the total cost of ST plus charges divided by six.

Everton FC is a business and it relies on cash-flow, so it not surprising that it wants to get some much-needed income in as quickly as possible. Also, in this current climate, it'll want to gauge how the pandemic will affect the numbers of people who are likely to continue to attend Goodison in the near term.

My season ticket auto-renewed. They were taking money for next season in April.

Despite the email I had notifying me that the deadline was last night for Direct Debit payments - I chanced my arm and was able to renew via the official website today - so I hope my previous post hasn't put off anyone from using the Direct Debit option.

Let's see what other clubs do. At the moment, I only know what Spurs are doing, and we don't compare favourably with them.

The pandemic has obviously caused clubs to put back their original deadlines but, for a number of years, we have been first off the block by some considerable margin.

According to the Club's website, there is a £40 fee for using the six months instalments option, which they say represents an interest charge of 13%!

Assuming the original closure date of 28th February, the first payment would have been due at the end of March. Doesn't look a great deal to me.

Anthony #various
I'm really struggling to see what point it is you're trying to make. The only change being made for 2021 season is due to the pandemic, therefore some fans renewed prior to the suspension of 2020 season, some already using Direct Debit rolled over automatically and some like myself have until next Tuesday to renew. There has always been a fee attached to Direct Debit since the club made that option available.

Complain if you want to, but I can't see why you choose to continue moaning about something which many others don't seem to have an issue with.

Patrick,fine if you don’t agree with or see the point of the issues I’ve raised. As to your other comment, ToffeeWeb
wouldn’t exist if everyone had the same view on a particular topic or player.

Anthony #71 "Let's see what other clubs do. At the moment, I only know what Spurs are doing, and we don't compare favourably with them."

How do the season ticket prices compare?

Brent, put it this way, their cheapest season ticket costs more than one in the People’s club lounge.

This season, the club demanded full payment of the renewal by the 7 April. At the time that demand was made, and the same applied the previous season, there was not even any guarantee that the club would then still be in the Premier League.

I don't believe that statement's true.

I suppose if people don't want to pay the £40 transaction fee for the direct debit option they do have the option to save up over the course of the season to renew for next and paying in full when renewal time comes round.

Quite, Steve.

Anthony #74

I'm in no way shape or form dissavowing your right to post - it's obvious you have a grievance of some sort relating to season ticket renewals. I'll just say that it's been a very very long time since ST holders could renew for the new season after the conclusion of the previous one.

I renewed on day one and my money is sitting in Everton's bank account. I assume we will be given an option of a refund once the clubs have an idea of what the PL is proposing. My own opinion is that Everton are pretty decent about this kind of thing and, as has been pointed out, our season ticket price is very good compared to others.

I'm not totally sure why, but I've lost a bit of enthusiasm for going to the match and for football in general. Now that we're nearly at the end of it, I'm more convinced than ever that the season should have been declared null and void. The restart has been dire, summed up by the ridiculous piped crowd noises on TV. And tonight, the clowning glory of a team receiving a trophy in an empty stadium while, I assume, the TV companies add on a sound track of YAWN and fireworks. Christ knows what an FA Cup Final in an empty Wembley will be like - pretty soulless I guess.

Perhaps we should draw a line under it all, and reconvene for the 21/22 season. Meantime, lots mini-league and cup competitions to keep the players fit and the TV companies happy.

Anthony, the £40 charge is an administration charge set by the financial company that Everton use, it is not an interest charge and is not set by Everton. Whilst I agree it may seem excessive, I'm pretty certain all finance companies administer a charge when any direct debit is set up. Maybe someone can correct me on this?

All points are well made. I still stand by the fact that Everton’s date for renewals is a lot earlier than other clubs. I know little about other club’s instalment options
but the postman says Man U have it.
Notwithstanding my complaints I will as ever renew for next season. If I don’t my father will come back to deal with me.

Anthony #83
We can't help ourselves can we? Like moths to the flame - I've been wrestling with the issue since March but succumbed to the inevitable yesterday :)

Today's Echo suggests that only a maximum of 33% of fans will be allowed back from October. Older grounds with smaller concourse area like Goodison will be at a disadvantage.

As I previously suggested, fans will have to adhere to some kind of risk assessment too. My guess is that anyone over 65, ie, yours truly, will be excluded from returning at this stage.

Alan #85,

I just read that piece, it certainly looks as if the clubs will have their hands full trying to get some fans into the stadiums for a good while yet. Goodison will be a difficult place to adhere to social distancing, given the lack of space in concourses etc.

But it seems that fans gathering in town or outside a local stadium without masks or distancing measures is okay providing you are attired in red.

Rob #8,

"36,000 season ticket holders and only 16,000 places."

No problem. 15,500 watch the first half, 15,500 others the second half. 😂