Everton open ballot registrations for Chelsea game

If you win the ballot, does that mean you don't have to go?

Confirmed as expected that fans will need to undergo a Covid test before entering, to allow the government to plant it's seeds of mind control.

Ridiculous honestly how it's now become and I can't see many wanting to have to undergo dodgy tests with slipshod results every time they go the game.

This is a piece from today's Financial Times, so usually a paper you can trust when they are dealing with specific numbers. The report says the following:

The blanket ruling for seat allocation also raises interesting comparative problems for clubs amongst their peers and rivals. Take Merseyside for example where Tier 2 status permits up to 2,000 fans in attendance at 2 stadiums just a mile apart. The Liverpool ballot of season tickets in the local area yields 5,832 season ticket holders while at Everton they have 25,647 season ticket holders in the local area who can apply for their club's ballot.

Brian (3) – that is interesting.

The People's Club – or what?

Thanks Brian – fascinating stat. And from the FT of all places.

Jim #2.

A little wager on all the places being taken up for each game?

Brian (3) - so not many people will miss out? Not if 91% of the 2,000 will be STHs? Whereas the shite will have to fill their quota with 1,500 from the prawn sandwich brigade?

I meant 2,000 and 1,500, obviously. Sorry, too much wine...

What tier is Norway in?

Only Gwladys Street and the Top Balcony will be open. Strange decision. Won't affect me anyway as I now live in Warrington.

In all honesty, don't think I will be missing much. A freezing December Saturday night in the Top Balcony with no company and no banter?

If the Club was honest I reckon they would say it's more trouble and cost than it's worth.

Anthony 10

I'm in agreement with you totally.

For me, going the match was about the camaraderie and being able to catch up with the people who'd been around you as regular season ticket holders for years.

It just smacks of soulless really and I can't see how it will even feel like a matchday experience, no atmosphere etc.

Should have just left it now until August and had more in then.

Shame there's no such thing as a bravery test for the players because I'd say we would need to play five-a-side!

There is hope but no certainty that normality will have resumed by August. The clubs have to start somewhere and somehow to demonstrate they and fans can be trusted to behave sensibly and in accordance with the guidelines. We already know it will cost the club more than the receipts but 2,000 is better than nothing.

As the crisis recedes with the rollout of the vaccine, the numbers allowed will increase over time. That of course is dependent on take-up of the vaccine being sufficient. There are plenty of fools around who believe it is all a plot to turn people into zombies.

John 14 - given that so many people voted for Trump and Johnson, zombification is well underway.

I was wondering how they will feed and water 2000 people in 15 minutes at half time, and ensure social distancing for those spending the proverbial penny.

The stat about local Liverpool season tickets is staggering. To my shame, I once sat in the Kop with an RS mate and joyfully watched them lose to Celta Vigo. Aside from a couple of Asian lads from Bradford everyone around me was a local.

Granted it was 20 years ago so maybe it's changed or maybe the 5,000 locals plus me were seated in the Kop. Regardless it reflects well on Everton. Just imagine the support if we actually start winning. COYB

Jack (15) That's what worries me!

Sorry to spoil the mood but I believe that “FT article” has been outed as fake...

I knew it would end up on tiers.

I know you have to have rules nowadays, but why when the whole of the WA postcode region is Tier 2, you can enter the ballot if you live in WA7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, but not if you live in 1-6 or 13-16. Ridiculous, and yes, I live in an excluded WA postcode.

Mark post 18, didn't you know fake news is the most damming and truthful you can get. Ask Mr Trump and his ostrich strategy (head in sand).

Jim 11,

If it was just the football, I might have given up 30 years ago. However, when the football's bad, the humour gets better.

John and Jack (14, 15).

At what point do you suggest needing a test to watch a football match should be stopped? What other activities should we need testing for before being allowed to undertake? Shopping in Lidl?

Opposition to what's been happening since March is not coming from 'zombies', but from people baffled by how easy the population has been coerced into giving up basic freedoms, and who align with numerous esteemed experts in epidemiology who can't find any evidence or justification for most of the measures forced upon them and who fear many of which will be retained ad infinitum.

I'm afraid the zombies in this instance are the likes of you two.

In view of the dross our team is churning out again, maybe first prize in the ballot should be for one game and second prize for two games?

Ah Mick (24),

Haven't heard a version of that one for.. well, weeks.

Anthony #10,

Hear, hear. Saturday night, a pint and a substantial meal or a cold Gwladys Street, then rushing for the last train home. No contest. More effort, than it's worth.

Steve (23),

In reply to your first question, I would suggest testing will be stopped when the risk of the NHS being overwhelmed passes. If vaccination proceeds as planned, I imagine that will be in the spring. As the number of fans permitted into stadiums increases, testing and proof of testing will become progressively less practical.

In response to your second question, the answer, I suggest, lies in what is proportionate and practical.

I am disappointed that only two sides of the ground will be open.

It's a great shame that the Park End will be closed. Would have added greatly to the atmosphere.

I suppose the issue is Chelsea changing in the Park End car park.

Surely they could be offered the bogs in the Lower Bullens instead.

Can we keep discussion of the merits of covid testing, zombies, sheeples and complete idiots to Facebook or Twitter where most idiots seem to live these days?

Generally, I would agree with you, Andrew. But here we have something which directly affects me as a supporter.

I have been a supporter of Everton Football Club for over 65 years. But there is no way I will be going to Goodison Park ever again if a pre-requisite is a test or a vaccination.

Boris Johnson claims there will not be obligatory vaccination. That may well be so... but, with companies in various sectors beginning to exclude prospective customers on the premise that they have not been vaccinated, then near 100% vaccination is likely to be achieved without making it mandatory!

Steve, that's an interesting one. Which companies are doing that?

I agree with Steve on this one: you do not get people who have to do a test before entering a supermarket or a pub.

At a football ground, they will have measures both inside and outside the ground to ensure safe distancing, which is more than when you are getting something from a bottom shelf in a supermarket, with some random person ignoring you crouched down, and standing in front of you, stretching for the top shelf.

So yes, Steve, you do have a point about testing at grounds, it could be a very good idea; however, if this is the case, then why are these checks not be carried out elsewhere, like shops, pubs etc?

Brian,

I think you may find some companies, shops etc starting to introduce testing prior to entry, or ask for proof of vaccination in due course, and from Hancock's comments I don't think the government will be too troubled by it.

Unless of course his vocal backbenchers kick up a fuss.

So not compulsory because of the government.

We'll see in due course, I suppose...

"According to the Financial Times, Everton have 25,647 season ticket holders with a Liverpool postcode; Liverpool FC, meanwhile, can draw on only 5,832 from the city region."

What's that about "Scouse reds go the pub, Scouse Blues go the match"?

Chris, so it's basically, at the moment, hearsay?

Can you bring rotten tomatoes in with you?

It would be a challenge to hit the players from the top balcony. The way my eyes see it, they are not putting it in for Carlo, and once that starts there only one way you go, unfortunately.

I think it's a bit more than that, Brian, in that it's been floated as a possibility that some businesses might do it, by ministers. But I don't think we should make too much out of it just yet. But if it starts to become a regular theme, then we need to be vigilant.

Of course maybe pubs etc may totally ignore it but, as I said, we'll have to wait and see. My son runs 3 little pubs on the Wirral, and there's no chance that he'll be advocating it, for instance, but he's been well brought up!

Goes with the name, Chris!

Of course it does, Brian!

I'm just reading that they're looking at launching an initiative in Liverpool for shops to offer a discount to people showing a negative test result.

This is apparently an incentive to get more people to be tested.

It seems that there is much higher uptake of tests in the more affluent areas of Liverpool, while in the more deprived areas the uptake has been pretty low.

This sort of bears out the ONS stats that only 20% of people testing positive are self-isolating. The reason? They can't afford the time not working, and the support offered is way insufficient.

A bit of a flaw in the planning?

As I live in an OL postcode, and have basically been in some sort of social restriction since July, it's an academic point, but I think the Top Balcony will be a great vantage point to get a proper view of how James operates during a game.

Top Balcony in December without a beer jacket. 🥶🥶🥶

Top balcony's ace. Like watching the game on telly!

One thing that strikes me is that, with only 2,000 in the ground, there's a good chance players will get to hear exactly what people think of them if/when they get a hiding off Chelsea.

Or will people be less likely to speak their minds knowing players can actually hear them?

Cue kung fu kicks round all the grounds.

James, I doubt they will hear anyone in the Top Balcony, unless they smuggle a megaphone in, and we don't know what part of the Gwladys Street is being used. If it's the lower, then yes, every word screamed at a player might be heard but, if it's the upper, then again, I doubt much will be picked up.

I do hope those in the Main Stand enhance the surreal nature of the occasion by purposefully striding the full width of the main stand in unison belting out:

"WE'RE ON THE MARCH WITH CARLO'S ARMY"

Adorned in DIY Blue and White military uniforms would make it a doozey!

Steve (23),

Why do you think that, once the Pandemic is over, the government would want to go to the expense of still insisting on testing everyone who enters a football ground, or shop, or pub etc?

The cost would be massive and, once you start to get back to crowds of 30,000+ at sports events the logistics of the operation would be impossible.

People would have to start the testing process at the ground on a Wednesday to ensure that everyone got into the ground by Saturday kick-off.

I enjoy a good conspiracy theory along with the next man – but the size and scale of this one suggests that it's a figment of an over-active imagination or acute paranoia.

The odd time a game's quiet, or lately when they've been played in empty stadiums, you can often hear the players shouting, so I'm pretty sure if you pick your moment and shout loud enough the players will hear you!

And it'll be anybody's duty who's part of the 2,000 crowd to shout something funny for the TV audience. 😉

Steve @23 – no evidence? I work in the NHS – there's plenty, believe me. The Government decided in March the public wouldn't adhere to rules of lockdown before even trying until the numbers sky-rocketed. Then they were surprised by the British public staying indoors instead of risking death and, lo & behold, the numbers fell.

They know the British public vote heavy on law or order but seem to think they can't adhere to laws themselves, madness and a convenient escape route to keep things open while the virus shook hands with everyone, just like that tool Boris Johnson.

We should've locked down earlier, stricter and for longer with more than a threat of a fine for those that were irresponsible with there's and other people's lives. As for the footie, it'll be great to get back to a match and I actually like the idea of not being surrounded by a miasma of stale beer farts.

Steve – which epidemiologists do you mean?

The ones I work with think restrictions haven't been strong enough. I don't particularly like the concept of government control – least of all with this lot at the helm – but for crying out loud the evidence behind the vaccine is crystal clear.

I don't want my return to the match being made riskier by those who choose not to act for the common good. If enforcing a pre-entry vaccine keeps the selfish away, bring it on.

Stuart, do you work for the NHS, and if so are you considered "frontline"?

Brian (31),

Quantas Airlines is one company that has been prominently reported. It will be requiring all travellers from 2021 to have been vaccinated against coronavirus. I am appalled Everton Football Club is now removing liberties also.

Stuart (49),

Your question can be answered by looking at the signatories to the Great Barrington Declaration.

On your final point, if the 'common good' is to be the only guiding light on how far individuals are coerced rather than persuaded into losing their liberties, then you will doubtless be giving up your driving licence at some time in the future.

The Great Barrington Declaration was signed by a minority of health professionals, and not all epidemiologists. Many consider it dangerous; some signatories have since backed off. But I guess most people believe the news/science they want to believe.

I do understand your point about liberty but I believe the current circumstances trump that. And the common good is not my only guiding light. But, as a biologist, I find the hard science about vaccination and the spread of infection is pretty persuasive.

Steve @ 23,

In Singapore we have given up basic freedoms to comply with mandatory mask wearing, track and trace, intensive testing and tough travel restrictions which mean I won't see my sons this Xmas. Daily cases in the Community are 0-1 per day for a population of 6 million on an island the size of the Isle of Wight.

In the UK, where the dialogue about restrictions is politicised? Over 12,000 cases a day.

Steve (51)

The Great Barrington Declaration, when its boiled down to its essence, is advocating "herd immunity" as the cure for this ill. We tried that at the outset and now have the second-highest death rate in the world because of it.

As a 70-year-old, I am happy to wait for the vaccine. I do not see the current policy as eroding my civil liberties in any way, shape or form.

Anyone on here taking part in a vaccine trial? Would be interesting to hear your views and opinions.

Like the rest of us, Steve C is entitled to his opinion but mine is very different indeed. I read of the Quantas Airlines stance to which he refers and fully agree with it - I sincerely hope it is adopted widely to help protect those of us willing to help ourselves and others from those not so willing.

As a matter of interest Steve, did you support the actions of Moise Kean, Jack Grealish, Kyle Walker and indeed Dominic Cummings when they broke the law by ignoring lockdown rules?

On your final point, if the 'common good' is to be the only guiding light on how far individuals are coerced rather than persuaded into losing their liberties.

Forgive me if I'm too stupid to get the point here but isn't the "common good" the ultimate goal?

The Great Barrington Declaration is funded by the American Institute for Economic Research - a right wing, free-market organisation.

This link gives some interesting information on the AIER:
Link

"a libertarian thinktank that is, in its own words, committed to “pure freedom” and wishes to see the “role of government … sharply confined”.

"The institute has a history of funding controversial research – such as a study extolling the benefits of sweatshops supplying multinationals for those employed in them – while its statements on climate change largely downplay the threats of the environmental crisis. It is a partner in the Atlas network of thinktanks, which acts as an umbrella for free-market and libertarian institutions, whose funders have included tobacco firms, ExxonMobil and the Koch brothers."

Brian @56 - depends if you prefer Jeremy Bentham to Dostoyevsky.

Peter. Neither for me, just an innocent interpretation of "common good."

interpretation" bloody phone keyboards. , "interpretation" bloody phone keyboards. , Turned off, michael. kenrick@gmail. com, 0, 11:19:35, , 82. 132. 184. 55, ok, 856, 12/04/2020 11:19:35, brianwilliams_uk@yahoo. co. uk, reader, , , no 1112870, 40189, toffeeweb, 04/12/2020, Jerome Shields, jeromewshields@icloud. com, "My own daughter, who knows nothing of the game at 25, will always say when asked, "Who do you support?" I say "Everton. "

She never would wear anything I bought her, whether Everton or not. Even with her own clothes, she would head the other way from my selection even before she could speak. When she could speak, she just said "Yuck!" Now, she just has a look.

She does check the results as a barometer of my mood, as does my wife.

For a football fan site, this particular thread is becoming deeply philosophical - LOl.

I find it difficult to chose between the thoughts of a Philosopher who kept a tea pot as a pet and the thoughts of a Russian nihilist.

As Brian says - we probably all have our own interpretation of what constitutes the "common good", but, notwithstanding the "tea pot", Bentham's "The said truth is that it is the greatest happiness of the greatest number that is the measure of right and wrong", can be, I expect, used to define "the common good".

Martin @55

Yes, I have taken part in clinical trials. They paid me 3 grand for it as well. I'm pretty sure mine was a placebo anyway.

Handy at a time I was back in the UK and skint!

It is not so much about our interpretation of the 'common good' as whether or not it can ever trump the rights of an individual; does morality defined as utility constitute meaningful justice?

As we live in a society and culture that deems the rights of the individual over their body sufficient enough to kill an unborn fetus, I struggle to see how anybody can be compelled to take a vaccine.

'The Common Good' seems to be an 'average' a 'general' sort of thing. With averages, the numbers way out to one side or the other of the mean are disregarded. If you as an individual happen to be one of those, then you're SOL.

On a personal note, I will leave it as long as I can before I do get a jab, just to see how the various vaccines pan out.

Derek I'd have to disagree with that. Common good is generally understood to mean for the good of "all."

To qualify for the ballot all applicants should be asked to whisper 'You're fooking useless ref'. Only those who can be heard four streets away should go into the hat.

Personally, I'd give the places to our magnificent away supporters who regularly create more noise than the home fans at the stadiums they visit, despite having to endure our legendary away performances.

James #62 – you were paid three grand? Which vaccine trial was that? What makes you think you had the placebo?

Good luck to all who enter the ballot. I have no problem with those who wish to return to watching live football at Goodison.

I think current social distancing guidelines can easily be met at around 10% of stadium capacity as long as everyone remains sensible and patient.

I also hope only good, positive fans will be chosen who can scream, shout and sing their hearts out in support of all things Everton, not the moaning, groaning fans that appear to be on the increase.

That probably rules out half of ToffeeWebbers... sorry, but I want to watch and feel positive vibes from my armchair, not shameful embarrassment. The players already have that market cornered.

Oh dear, sorry, I've broken my own positive policy and therefore won't be attending.

Oi Martin, butt out and get back in the queue will yer?

Brian#70 -how are you doing Bri? Me and Teddy both in the draw for Chelsea game.
Reason I asked James about vaccine trial he's on is that I too am on one and being entirely voluntary, no payment is involved - not even travel expenses to attend for jabs etc! Participants now do weekly swab tests and occasional blood tests for a year but as I say, no payment is involved.
I do know that some families (including Teddy's, although he refused to take part) were offered and received payment for agreeing to take part in a program of swab tests but this is not a vaccine trial.
For the record, and for the doubters amongst us and whilst the trial is "blind", I've had have had no side effects whatsoever - not even a mark at the injection site. Based on first hand experience therefore I would urge everyone to take the vaccine as soon as it is offered. We can all get back to the Saddle then, eh, Bri? Indeed if Mo stuck a jar of scotch eggs on the bar, she could open up now and we could get in there pre-match on 12th!

Hiya Martin.
Glad you're ok mate. Shame you're not getting weighed in for your volunteering but good that it's all going well.
Good to hear Teddy's doing well too. I hope you both get chosen for the Chelsea game mate.
The Saddle! Jeez do I miss going there every other week and hearing Mo's dulcet tones.
Would have been a cracking atmosphere on the 23rd and 28th of December.
Hopefully we'll get to go back in good time when it's safe for all.
Give my best to Teddy mate and stay safe!

Cheers Bri - will say hello to Teddy for you and let you know how I get on with the trial. Stay safe Bri.

"Everton have 25,647 season ticket holders with a Liverpool postcode; Liverpool FC, meanwhile, can draw on only 5,832 from the city region."

Say that again VEERRRRY slowly :D

I think the first 2,000 should be given to essential workers, front-line nurses, care workers, people who work at Tesco etc, bin men – all those who helped keep things ticking over. After that first 2,000 then open it up.

JB #2,

I can't see many wanting to have to undergo dodgy tests with slipshod results every time they go the game.

And yet over 19,000 applied for the Chelsea game!

Everton Football Club can confirm the auto-renewal process for 2021-22 Season Tickets will not begin in January, as it has done in previous years.

Season Ticket Members who are currently part of the auto-renewal scheme for 2020-21, paying for their Season Ticket on a 12-month Direct Debit, will make their final payment on Monday 4 January 2021.

The Club can also confirm the general renewal period for Season Tickets will not begin in January. The Club is planning to open the renewal window in March, with the renewal deadline in June. Further details of the renewal window dates will be confirmed in due course.

Renewal Dates