MATCH CENTRE

Matchday Guide: Everton v Brighton

Please see below for key information for fans attending the first Premier League game of 2023 at Goodison Park (KO 7.45pm).

IMPORTANT TRAVEL INFORMATION

Supporters attending Everton’s Premier League fixture with Brighton and Hove Albion are urged to consider their travel plans, with rail strike action affecting journeys to and from Goodison Park.  

Merseyrail are running a 45-minute service, calling at all stations on selected lines, from 07:30, ending at 18:30 on January 3, 4, 6 and 7.  

NB: There will be no rail replacement buses in operation.

A summary of services that will run on Tuesday 3 January is as follows. 

  • Chester and Ellesmere Port lines: No trains will operate between Chester and Rock Ferry or Ellesmere Port and Rock Ferry. Trains will run every 45 minutes between Rock Ferry and Liverpool Central, calling at all stations. 
  • New Brighton line: Trains will run every 45 minutes, calling at all stations.  
  • West Kirby line: Trains will run every 45 minutes, calling at all stations.  
  • Southport line: Trains will run every 45 minutes, calling at all stations.  
  • Hunts Cross line: No trains will operate between Liverpool Central and Hunts Cross. 
  • Ormskirk line: Trains will run every 45 minutes, calling at all stations.
  • Kirkby line: Trains will run every 45 minutes, calling at all stations.

All updated timetables for the period of strike action can be found HERE: https://www.merseyrail.org/plan-your-journey/network-rail-strike-action.aspx

Please note: The cancellation of planned Merseyrail services is likely to remain in place, even if industrial action is called off, as railway rostering arrangements mean that it will be impossible to reinstate services at short notice.

EVERTON REMEMBERS

Supporters are politely asked to take their seats early, as this game is our annual tribute fixture.

Everton Football Club will remember all former players, staff and supporters who sadly lost their lives in 2022.

The Club also pays tribute to Brazilian World Cup winner Pele, who died over the festive period, aged 82.

The names and photographs of all Evertonians who passed away in the last 12 months will be displayed on the big screens at Goodison Park, during a minute's applause ahead of kick off.

PARK END KITCHEN

The Park End Kitchen provides a tasty appetiser to the game.

The distinctive Royal Blue-branded food outlet, the newest addition to the Fanzone, was agreed following discussions with the Fans’ Forum back in 2019.

The COVID pandemic delayed its launch, but the Park End Kitchen has been a popular addition to the Fanzone this season and will again be open for business on Saturday, from 3pm, serving a wide range of burgers and accompaniments.

Plans are in place to develop the food offering, in consultation with supporters, so please support the food outlet and we welcome any feedback or suggestions to improve it further going forwards.

FAN ZONE

The Fan Zone will be open at the Park End of Goodison Park from 5pm.

There will be a live performance on stage from Ryan Rooney ahead of the game, and the Live Show, commencing at 6.30pm, will also have special guests.

Catering units will be on-site with hot and cold refreshments, including the Park End Kitchen, a Club-owned foot outlet launched in response to fans’ feedback and in conjunction with the Fans’ Forum.

The Homebaked Bakery will have pies available in the Fanzone, via the blue Homebaked Bakery@Goodison Park-branded concession, which offers fans the chance to sample the famous Homebaked Scouse Pie, the award-winning Vegan Scouse Pie, as well as Everton themed pies The Blue (Steak & Stilton) and The Trinity Pie, in honour of Howard Kendall, Colin Harvey and Alan Ball.  

For more information on the The Homebaked Bakery, who also have a presence in the Blue Base on matchdays, CLICK HERE (https://www.facebook.com/HomebakedA/)

Please note: No pyrotechnics (smoke cannisters or flares) will be allowed in the Fanzone.

FOODBANK DONATIONS

Fans’ Supporting Foodbanks and their unmissable purple vehicle will be in the Fanzone all season on matchdays. They will be accessible from Goodison Road.

PITCH ENCROACHMENT / PYROTECHNICS

Everton Football Club wishes to remind supporters that entering the field of play is a criminal offence.

The Club is committed to the Premier League, FA and EFL’s collective stance in tackling anti-social and criminal behaviour at football matches and will take a zero-tolerance approach to pitch encroachment during the 2022/23 campaign.

Stadium bans - and even criminal prosecution - can and will be enforced to punish anyone that enters the playing area.

The Club is legally compelled to work with the authorities to identify any individuals who take part in such activity.

This also applies to the use of any pyrotechnics (smoke grenades and or flares) and the throwing of objects of any description on to the pitch. These acts are dangerous, illegal and have severe consequences.

Under strict stadium guidelines, all pyrotechnics are prohibited and supporters are advised that spot checks will take place at turnstiles and any such items will be confiscated.

Fans also run the risk of arrest and a subsequent stadium ban for possession of a pyrotechnic inside a football stadium.

SUPPORTERS CODE OF CONDUCT / REPORTING DISCRIMINATION

Everton Football Club has a strict, zero tolerance approach to all incidents of discrimination and disorder.

We remind supporters that all perpetrators of public order offences, which includes racist or discriminatory behaviour, pitch encroachment and the throwing of objects, will receive lengthy stadium bans, potential Police investigation and further possible legal sanctions.

Everton has a dedicated text number for fans to report any discriminatory or abusive behaviour they witness during matches at Goodison Park.

If you see or hear something, please report it to our Stadium Safety Team immediately by texting HELP and your message to 84300, or email reportit@evertonfc.com. In your message, please include details of what you have witnessed and where.

You will be sent a text, or email confirming your message has been received by our Stadium Safety Team.

GWLADYS STREET FLAGS

After consultations with supporters’ groups, a range of flags will be in the Lower Gwladys Street for fans to use. Supporters are asked to leave flags in the Gwladys Street Stand under seats following the game, so they can be reused for the next home game.

HERITAGE SOCIETY AND MATCHDAY HUB

The Heritage Society will be open at St Luke’s Church from 4.30pm.

The Matchday Hub, based at Everton Free School, will not be in operation for this match due to ongoing maintenance work. The Hub will remain closed until September.

TEAS FOR FANS

Teas for Fans will be open on the ground floor of St Luke’s Church Hall from 4.30pm.

Teas for Fans’ has been operating from St Luke’s for more than 30 years, offering supporters the chance to enjoy pre-match refreshments of tea, coffee and hot chocolate among fellow Evertonians.

Supporters can gather in a family friendly environment and enjoy a variety of hot and cold drinks and biscuits, with prices starting from just £1.

MATCHDAY BUNDLE OFFER!

Our official Catering Partner, Sodexo, have the below 'Early Bird' offers, available from gates opening:

  • Buy 1 pint/bottle of Carling Lager and receive your 2nd half price
  • Buy a standard pie & receive a free hot drink
  • Family Enclosure Only: Buy a Sausage Roll & receive a free hot drink or bottle of water

Note: This offer is available up until 30 minutes after the gates open

All payments inside the stadium will be contactless.

FANATICS MATCHDAY DEAL

Save £20 on selected travel range bundles in store!*

Men’s Travel Polo & Pant: £70 (RRP £90)
Women’s Travel Jacket & T-shirt: £75 (RRP £95)
Kids Travel Hoodie & Pant: £75 (RRP £95)

Store Opening Times:

Everton One: 9:30am – 10pm
Everton Two: 10am – 8pm
The Toffee Shop: 6pm – 8pm

*Valid 03.01.2023. In store only. Subject to availability.