Everton To Offer Safeguarding Wristbands To Younger Fans

Everton are to offer safeguarding wristbands to adults bringing young children to games at Hill Dickinson Stadium as part of a new matchday safety initiative.

The launch coincides with the FA’s awareness weekend for ‘Play Safe’, which takes place across all levels of the game and aims to throw focus on a year-round campaign that champions safeguarding in football.  

Starting at Monday’s game against West Ham United, a team of safeguarding stewards – easily identifiable in purple bibs – will be located across Hill Dickinson Stadium on matchdays, offering the Everton-branded wristbands to families who attend with younger supporters. 

Stewards will assist in writing the parent’s or guardian’s details on the back of the wristband, meaning they can easily be contacted should the child become detached from their party. 

The stewards will also be armed with collectable player cards for younger fans, each carrying an important safeguarding message. 

Paul Cuthbert, Head of Safeguarding at Everton, said: “The historic move to Hill Dickinson Stadium has led to us significantly strengthening our team of safeguarding stewards up to 20. 

“We are also now in clearly identifiable purple bibs and will be found dotted around the stadium footprint, both inside and outside the stadium.  

“We have significant experience in the team from a variety of roles, including healthcare, and social work, and a big part of my ask to the team is to proactively engage with our young fan base so that we are identifying smaller safeguarding concerns as we go and be much more preventative in the schemes and initiatives we offer.

“People may already be familiar with these wristbands from visiting other large-attendance events and they are there to give peace of mind and to help our stewards to quickly and safely reunite any children with their group should they become separated.

“We will also replicate the wristband initiative at Goodison Park, where families are at the forefront of the growth in the Women’s game.”

The FA’s annual ‘Play Safe’ campaign, a national initiative in English football aimed at promoting safeguarding and creating a safer environment for players and fans, takes place over this weekend and will be supported across all levels of English football, including by the Premier League, EFL, Barclays Women’s Super League, Barclays WSL2, National League, and grassroots football.

The theme for the Play Safe 2025 campaign is ‘Small Talk is Bigger Than You Think’, which emphasises the importance of open conversations with children and the value of active listening.

The campaign is endorsed by the NSPCC and aims to raise awareness and encourage clubs and leagues to actively participate in making the game safer and more inclusive for everyone.

To raise visibility of the 2025 campaign, England Football has produced a video which highlights the importance of remaining alert and aware of small changes that can go unnoticed. The campaign film, which can be viewed HERE, appears at first to be a studio recording of a new podcast entitled ‘Eyes on the Ball’, which features former Premier League player Anton Ferdinand and Sky Sports’ Joe Thomlinson in conversation. The film then goes on to reveal the podcast not to be all it seems, carrying with it a powerful message on the importance of observation.

Cuthbert added: “I am proud to support this nationwide campaign, reminding everyone that safeguarding is at the heart of football.  

“Whether you are a player, coach, parent, volunteer or supporter, safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Safeguarding isn’t just a course you take, a qualification, or an abstract concept, it’s how we take care of people. It’s in the things we do, every day.   

“Football – at every level – should be a positive, safe, and inclusive experience for all. Every child, young person and adult at risk has the right to enjoy the game free from harm, abuse, or neglect. Play Safe 2025 is about raising awareness, reinforcing good practice and ensuring that everyone knows what to do if they have a concern.”

Cuthbert added: “‘Small Talk is Bigger Than You Think’ focuses on the importance of giving children and young people a voice – it's about us remaining attentive and making space for those small conversations that matter.

“Football is safer when we remove barriers, talk openly and are proactive in our safeguarding responsibilities.

“So, my challenge is this: think about your role in football. Whether you are a coach, a supporter, a participant, parent or a professional, will you consciously make space for those small conversations, listen and reflect on how you can make football safer?  

“You play an important role and may just be the person that notices something and makes a difference. 

“Safeguarding is not a one-day message, and it is not the sole responsibility of a safeguarding team.  

“It is a year-round responsibility that relies on all of us and, by working together, we make sport safer, stronger, and more enjoyable for everyone. 

“Let’s make Play Safe 2025 more than a campaign - let’s make it our standard.” 

If you have a safeguarding concern regarding any matter relating to Everton, then please contact safeguarding@evertonfc.com 

You can also contact your local FA Safeguarding Team.