Dear Evertonians,
In the nine months since we last welcomed fans into Goodison Park, the world has changed dramatically.
And so, when the turnstile gates at the Grand Old Lady open for the first time since 1 March for the visit of Chelsea on 12 December, it will be a very different match experience for those fans who enter.
Government guidelines mean that, as the Liverpool City Region is in Tier Two, we must limit the attendance to 2,000 Evertonians.
As a result, we will be conducting an independently verified ballot process to identify the fans who can attend, with registrations for the ballot open from 5pm today until midnight on Friday.
For full details of the ballot process, please click here.
It is a key moment in our season - and a crucial milestone in the battle against COVID-19.
Indeed, the fact we can welcome fans back at all is testament to the collective efforts of communities across our city region.
Liverpool has led the way for the country with the mass testing programme that has been in operation for the last month, resulting in the move out of Tier Three and into Tier Two today. And now, having achieved that step, it is so important we continue to pull together to ensure the infection rate keeps falling.
The part Everton Football Club - and our wonderful fans - can play in supporting that effort cannot be underestimated.
It will be thrilling to welcome 2,000 Evertonians back to Goodison. But we want to see more return.
That is why, following extensive consultation with key local and national authorities, we can share the details of our robust plan for the return of fans.
It is a plan focused on protecting the safety of fans, staff, and players. It is a plan that aims to protect Evertonians by using all the opportunities open to us and a plan that, we hope, will result in us getting our entire match-going Everton family back together again as soon as possible.
In keeping with Public Health guidance and the Tier system in operation across the country, I can confirm the ballot process will be restricted to fans who live in the Liverpool City Region.
A minimum of 91% of the 2,000 fans back with us for the clash with Chelsea are guaranteed to be Season Ticket Members. That percentage will be one of the highest, if not the highest, of any club in the Premier League.
To provide the very safest environment for every fan attending the game - and to support the city’s ongoing mission to defeat COVID-19 - we feel it is only right that we ask everybody fortunate enough to secure a ticket through the ballot process to utilise the mass-testing centres across the city in the 36 hours prior to returning to Goodison for the Chelsea match.
Coupled with temperature checks on entry, social distancing, the wearing of masks and regular sanitising of hands, it makes for a thorough plan aimed at maintaining the city’s downward trajectory in relation to COVID-19 infections.
Your help in supporting that plan – a plan aimed at keeping Evertonians, their families and our community safe - is welcomed and greatly appreciated.
COYB!
Denise
