Start date for Season 2020-21 announced

Leeds Utd, home or away – 1st game – is my bet.

Jack, no fans - so not the same impact as usual.

Carlo will move mountains in the Summer.

Looking forward to see how Carlo handles the transfer window and prepare for the 2020-21 season. Pre-season in Italy, anyone?

Recently we are normality against a newly promoted team so Leeds is a good shout.

It would get a lot of coverage to promote us and our new star-studded line-up.

I think pre-season at home, why can't we play a North West tournament: Liverpool, Manchester and surrounding area?

I know European football commitments may exclude Man Utd and Man City but it keeps costs down and minimises the virus transmission area.

I'm a bit surprised they are having this much of a break, although I guess the more they can defer it means more of the season is likely to have the fans in attendance.

Will the players get any time off and then have to get up to speed yet again? Hopefully most of ours will just keep things nicely ticking over.

There won't be too many pre-season games and definitely no tours so I'm worried that the players will get a bit bored by the end of August.

I like the mini-tournament idea. Put it on Everton TV and YouTube. Get Clive Tyldsley to commentate - I think he's looking for work and have Tim Cahill to summarise. Invite Leeds, Burnley and Sheffield United to participate.

I can't see many teams going abroad whilst Covid-19 is around and it will cost a fortune to establish a bubble.

Jack Convery & Justin Doone

Not sure if you remember and it inspired you but the last time Leeds were promoted after a 15 year or so absence, their opening game was away at Everton. Bastards won 3-2 with Nevin and Ebbrell scoring for us.

I remember it only too well as I couldn't understand all the hype about Leeds being a “big club” as they'd never been in the top flight in my living memory. They won the league the next year. Bastards. I hope we don't have a Déjà Vu moment.

Yeah, Big Nev's one-man protest at half-time in that game, citing he couldn't stand the fall from grace of his team and club. If we had more like him in and off the pitch, Kenwright would be nowhere near the club now.

Looking for some advice please. Does anyone know the club's policy regarding season ticket prices for those turning the age of 65?

I've paid at the top rate for my ticket for next season. I had been told that when you turn 65 (in February 2021 in my case) you let the club know and they reimburse you on a pro-rata basis so that effectively you are paying the “over 64” rate for the remainder of the season. At least one mate tells me he did this a couple of years ago.

However, a different pal asked the question when he renewed his season ticket this week over the phone, and was told there is simply a cut-off date (August 1st I think) – if you are 65 by then, you qualify for the discount for the whole forthcoming season; if not, you have to wait until the following season.

Anyone know which is correct? Just academic interest, of course!

I assume that both Marcel and Carlos will have their ideas about what we need and will have to agree on the quest for any player in which there is serious interest. Brands will deal with the money aspects of each move although the calamities suffered in recent windows will ensure that Chairman Bill is very much involved.

The proximity of the Bramley-Moore Dock project will almost certainly restrict this summer's transfer pit although it may be boosted by the sale of 'written off' players. Experience to date indicates this latter aspect is likely to be as much about saving wages as recovering transfer fees.

I must confess to not doing an accurate audit of dealings in the Moshiri era although the massive growth in contracted players indicates it's easier to 'sign 'em' than 'get rid'. Thus, we can expect a more serious scrutiny of potential signings than has occured 'since days of Moyes!

So, whomsoever has the final say (I expect it to be Boys Pen Bill), we can expect new names to be few!

Peter; your second mate is correct. There's a cut off date and you either qualify for the coming season or you don't.

Your first mate is mistaken. Such a system would be an administrative nightmare!

However, just check with the Box Office in case things have changed.

Thanks Bill.

I wonder if we get drawn to play Liverpool at Goodison very early in the season?

I remember the last time Leeds United came up and we played them opening day of the new season... We were 3 - 0 down at half time... At Goodison!

It was also the day when Southall came out early at half time to sit against the post.

Back in the ground by October? Masks and all?

Jack #1. Leeds away is my expectation as well. If we don't get Leeds then West Brom and whoever gets 3rd place are next best bets. Always best to avoid the newly promoted sides in the early games. They've got to give us the hard games to help give the RS the softest start possible.

Derek #12. If Blue Bill is still our negotiator we are in for a hard time. Picture the scene – Marcel – "Jones and Jessie are demanding £500,000 a week each". Blue Bill – "Have no fear – I'll cut them down to half that just like I did for Sigurdsson. They don't call me the negotiator for nothing. Any progress on getting our John back from Citeh in exchange for Richarlison?"

As for a pre-season tournament, a three-team one would no doubt be Everton, Blackburn Rovers and Leicester City fighting it out for the Covid-19 Trophy.

Peter @ 9 my birthday falls in the close season normally so I made the transition smoothly. One thing that baffled me when I turned 65 a couple of years ago, I never had to prove my age, I just renewed online and selected the Concession: 65 option.

Government pursuing their own agenda (like they did with relaxing travel rules for Spain) and will probably rush this one too. Makes you wonder when was the last time Boris queued for a half time piss at a footy match.

Anyway at least one government advisor is urging caution on this one;

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53556072

Absolute chaos yesterday trying to renew my season ticket. Two hours ‘joining the queue' waiting for a member of staff.

Web site down. Drove 20 miles to Goodison – no help there. Eventually got through telephonically & renewed.

There was a guy outside Goodison with me holding cash for four tickets – hope you got it sorted, Paul.

What a mess – typical Everton, I'm afraid!!

John #21
So just imagine how they’ll handle safe social distancing when the gates at Goodison reopen. A nightmare.