A Letter to Graeme Sharp
About the Everton Club Store

12 February 2002

Dear Graeme,

Re. Club shop / Merchandise 

As an avid Everton supporter, I try to come to games as often as possible.  On my visits I always go to the club shop.  More recently I have noticed a drop in standards within the club shop, i.e., merchandise available, range of merchandise.  

For quite a while now I have been after a variety of merchandise such as a leather wallet, towel and various small items.  These have been available in previous years, but there seems to be a decline in the production of merchandise.  

My brother is a season ticket holder and at Christmas went to buy some things for me only to find that the shop was closed around the Christmas period — and when he did go in previously he was told that orders were being processed after Christmas!  He also found that there was a lack of stock and of sizes in clothing.  To me this may not be too much of a problem but to some 4/5 year old etc who it means the world to, to get Everton merchandise for Christmas, this can be extremely disappointing. 

Having been to many different club shops throughout the country as well as working at a football club (Bristol City), I cannot believe a club the size of Everton does not have the capacity to bring in merchandise and supply stock relevant to the demands of fans supporting a Premiership side!  

Working at a Second Division club, I would expect the range of stock and availability of merchandise to be considerably less than that of a Premiership side with the size and stature such as Everton.  However, I have noticed that there is a wider range of stock and better availability here.  

As I work within the community department at the club, through our liaisons with supporters and youngsters, I receive a lot of queries and questions on what we can supply and what is available.  When I have youngsters saying to me that they get this and that from different Premiership sides and that Bristol City should be doing something like that, I cannot help but feel disappointment in the fact that there seems to be a lack of merchandise available at Everton.  

Are there any plans to improve standards within the club shop as well as items available through alternatives such as the website and retail shops?  Also, are there any plans to improve the stock range of merchandise at the club?

Many thanks, 
Geoff Stevens 
Community Affairs Assistant 
Bristol City Football Club

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