Goodison Park hosts Everton’s final Premier League fixture of the 2022/23 season this weekend – with an atmosphere that will be partisan, vibrant and inspirational.
Building up to the game, representatives from a cross section of supporters’ groups and Club officials have met with Merseyside Police to discuss their plans for fan-led activity inside and outside the ground on Sunday.
At the meeting fans spoke of their desire to take their seats inside the stadium early (4pm for a 4.30pm kick-off) to demonstrate their support to the players both visually and vocally during the warm-ups, as well as during the match. Some fans will also be assisting in draping banners from the front of the Howard Kendall Gwladys Street End to create as colourful an atmosphere as possible.
Evertonians have also helped in selecting the pre-match music in the build-up to, and countdown to, kick-off.
Everyone at the Club welcomes and embraces these fan-driven initiatives and are grateful for everything every Evertonian in Goodison will be doing to get behind the team on Sunday.
Of course, the last game of the season always brings an additional focus on fan behaviour at stadia right across the country. The overwhelming majority of Evertonians have behaved impeccably throughout the season and are a credit to the Club at home and on the road – sentiments echoed by the dedicated football officers at Merseyside Police.
However, as with previous final home games, the Club will again be employing a larger stewarding operation and Merseyside Police have asked supporters’ groups representatives to re-share the fundamentals of the FA and Premier League’s Love Football, Protect the Game campaign.
The campaign reiterates a zero-tolerance approach to:
• Pitch encroachment – Entering the field of play is a dangerous act and a criminal offence before, during and or after the game.
• Use of pyrotechnics or smoke canisters – These are NOT permitted to be used inside stadiums in England, as they can burn at high temperatures and cause significant injury to those who use them and fellow supporters, including burns, breathing difficulties, distress, discomfort and damage to clothing.
• The throwing of objects on to the playing area or into the crowd – This is a dangerous act which can harm, or cause serious or possibly fatal injury.
• Harassment of staff or supporters, or discriminatory chanting at players, officials or fans – Such behaviour is not welcome at Goodison Park.
• To mark the Premier League’s No Room for Racism campaign, players from both sides will be invited to take the knee prior to kick-off
Support from Evertonians continues to be unparalleled. Goodison Park has been sold out for every home Premier League fixture and every ticket snapped up quickly for all away fixtures.
This tremendous support is always appreciated by everyone at the Club and makes a big difference to the players on the pitch.
COYB!
