An overwhelming majority of Evertonians have praised the Club for the communication and support measures in place for fans for the opening game of the new season.
More than 4,000 Blues who attended the opening day victory over Southampton at Goodison completed the survey, with matchday experience, the atmosphere at the ground and the level of communication provided by the Club on the entry requirements and covid protocols receiving top marks.
The survey, which closed earlier today, is the first of the season as part of the Club's commitment to fan consultation. The surveys, which are topically themed and will be distributed by email to match attendees following select Premier League fixtures at Goodison Park, aim to continually enhance every element of matchday for supporters.
The Southampton fixture was the first game played in front of a full house at Goodison since March 2020. After such a long absence for many fans, and with a new Digital Season Ticket entry system in operation as well as new Premier League-wide Covid policies in place, the Club made a concerted effort to smooth the process of stadium entry for supporters. The measures put in place by the Club included open days at the ground in advance of matchday to give supporters the chance to test their new Digital Season Tickets, as well as relaunching the Game Plan campaign to provide information on public health and safety requirements before and on matchdays throughout the season.
Responding to questions on their matchday experience from start to finish, 89 per cent of fans were either extremely satisfied or very satisfied with their visit to Goodison Park – and 82 per cent declared overall satisfaction over the communication issued by the Club regarding requirements for admission into the stadium.
With many supporters responding to calls to arrive at the ground early, 89 per cent of supporters were either extremely satisfied or very satisfied over their speedy journey through the turnstiles. Many fans reported little or no queues, with no hold-ups at the card readers and entry points.
A highly-charged afternoon began with a moving big-screen tribute to those who lost their lives during the pandemic, while the Gwladys Street honoured Jordan Pickford’s Euro 2020 heroics for England with a giant banner. Supporters also joined a minute’s applause early in the game to celebrate the life of Jimmy Gabriel, the title-winning Club great who passed away last month.
Respondents to the survey rated the atmosphere generated inside Goodison Park that afternoon highly as 96 per cent of fans were either extremely satisfied or very satisfied – the top two approval rating options – as Everton won 3-1 in manager Rafael Benitez’s first match in charge.
Everton’s meeting with Southampton marked a return to sold-out Goodison crowds following more than 17 months of behind-closed-doors and restricted-attendance football.
Responses revealed more than 90 per cent of fans understood the matchday Covid protocols – a fact reflected in the 89 per cent of respondents who reported no delays entering the stadium.
As part of measures to maximise safety and minimise the risk of transmission of Covid-19, fans were asked to comply with a number of updated regulations, which included having proof of either their Covid-19 vaccination status or proof of a negative Covid-19 test result within 48 hours of kick-off, prior to entering the ground.
Of those surveyed, 92 per cent were aware of spot checks being undertaken at Premier League grounds to determine supporters’ Covid status. Additionally, 93 per cent knew the specific documentation that would be accepted as proof of Covid status, 94 per cent had either the NHS Covid Pass or proof of a negative Covid-19 PCR or lateral flow test via email or text message and 91 per cent knew how to access the NHS COVID pass.
Everton is committed to helping supporters understand the Covid regulations, while many fans chose to ring the Fan Centre with queries and questions on this matter in the week leading up to the fixture, an easy-to-read and comprehensive set of frequently asked questions was developed and can be viewed by clicking here.
From those who responded to the survey, 92 per cent of fans had both COVID-19 vaccinations and 78 per cent said they felt safe at all times while at Goodison, praising the Club’s Fan Centre staff and Club stewards for how helpful and approachable they were.
The same entry regulations will be in place for the Club’s next home fixture on Monday 13 September as the Blues welcome Sean Dyche’s Burnley to Goodison Park.
Due to the Clarets not taking up their full allocation for next month’s fixture a small number of tickets are currently available to Official Members and, should any remain, will go on General Sale from 10am on Thursday 26 August.
For the first time Everton Season Ticket Members will be able to resell their tickets for this game, if they cannot attend, using the Club’s own ticket resale platform which launched earlier this week. Click here for full details.
