Brilliant Calvert-Lewin goal steals a draw from the jaws of defeat

My brother and his kids are over from Thailand, so we're making the pilgrimage to Goodison Park whilst we can. I'll be trying to get to as many as I can this season, I know the tickets will be hard to come by.

Looking forward to visiting family and the city, hope we are treated to a bit of entertainment this evening before it all kicks off next week.

He may even re-consider coming back to the negotiating table, now rumours are that John Textor is back in the running. After all, that is apparently what he did with Roma - walked away initially then returned. However they weren't burdened with the debts that Moshiri and the Maggot managed to accumulate. Definitely not in bed with 777 either which is the whole stumbling block.

And people wonder why I detest Moshiri !

Scary where the years have gone and so in less than 12 months Everton will have moved on to B M D.

Hopefully very soon Everton will have secured new ownership and God please ensure the new owners will be good ones.

I reckon Ali will get a run out today and lets see but looking forward to see how Everton shape up and looking to see if Dybala and Tammy Abraham both play. It's a friendly but the real business is v Brighton.

UTFTs!

A fit Dele is probably as good, or better than anyone we have at present. I, for one, hope he does stay, either as a regular or on some sort of Pay per Play Contract (don't know if they even exist these days). Could be interesting times ahead especially when we play Spuds !

£13-19m for one assist against Palace is pretty expensive...

Debatable spots include:

CB- Keane or O'Brien? Assuming that JB is not available who will partner Tarkowski? Think most of us would like O'Brien but don't be surprised to see Dyche opt for the known quantity.

RB- Coleman or Young? Neither is ideal. And I'm not sure Patterson will be first choice when fit. A position I believe we need to strengthen.

CM- Garner or Doucoure or Iroegbunam? Gana will play but who partners him? Garner may still be out so likelihood is Doucoure but young Tim has looked good in preseason.

RW/AMC- Ndiaye or Harrison or Lindstrom? Couple of options here and the likes of Doucoure or even Maupay could feature in that second striker/number 10 role. Personally I hope we'll see Ndiaye in that position with Lindstrom on the right but I'd be surprised to see Dyche put Harrison on the bench.

Sam. Keane will start with Tarks next week against Brighton.

Ashley young will also start that game.

Rather than Dyche anticipating their shortcomings, he will allow them to be exposed before he changes things.

Much like the beginning of last season when he was adamant that Keane and Tarks would be his centre backs until Keane inevitably played himself out of the team.

We can ill afford to get off to a bad start and anything less than a win at home to a Brighton team in transition isn't good enough.

I also fear that he does intend using Linstrom on the right hand side and will look to use his quality to ‘do a good job for the team'. Again I think it will take Dyche to be forced into playing a Lindstrom centrally at some point and it will be then that he will play his best football. Dyche will have to stumble his way to that conclusion unfortunately. Therefore I expect Doucs to start at AMC against Brighton.

I think this will be the team against Brighton:

Pickford

Young Tarkowski Keane Mykolenko

Harrison Garner Gueye McNeil

Doucoure

Calvert-Lewin

A long season ahead

In regards to Deli, he was training at Goodison with the players so might get a cameo from the bench if he is permitted to play as a trialist.

Hopefully will see some of you at the Harlech, not a chance I will get the Leeds rhino v Wigan warriors game on in there, it clashes with the City v Utd charity shield.

I've seen people come back from the dead quicker than Dele Alli has got fit.

For the record I still don't think he will ever play professional football again but who knows I might be wrong,and hope I am and in the near future too but I just feel it's almost like a token gesture still mentioning him now.

As for DCL well if he wants more money or a bigger move then between now and January score 10 goals, start taking some of those chances you missed too often last season, and start bullying central defenders on a weekly basis and you never know Newcastle might just come in with that megabucks contract but as it stands, can't blame anyone, ourselves included for not shelling out what he's asking form

Would have liked Chermitti to have had another run out today but better to have him back and fully fit for the games that matter. This could be his season to emerge seriously for us.

He may feel that new players in have to earn their spot and there is some logic to that.

Ndiaye is the one I'm looking forward to. Replacing Doucoure with him will instantly make us a better footballing team as he can run with the ball and has some vision.

Oh, for some of that.

Smzodics, Armstrong at Southampton, Maupay are all in the same group. Decent championship/poor quality Premier league.

Looks like Calvert-Lewin is up top on his fucking own.

Joe @ 45, I actually got an 'invite by email' as an Official Member do you know you can watch the Match Everton V Roma (live)? Just click this link !

Now, I know there are no guarantees but.....?

When I could not get into the game again, I offered to purchase a ticket. They asked me for my email address and I gave them the same one I used to enter their site and they said it was an invalid email address.

It's unclear (to us fans, at least) if our stricken club will finally cave in should an offer of say, £60M come in, with “add-ons”, if we are in a desperate state financially. Whether Branthwaite stays or goes, the signing of O'Brien will prove to be a very astute move, I expect him to do very well.

On to Roma, here's hoping we see some entertainment in the late afternoon sunshine. It's a real shame that the Friedkin takeover didn't happen but maybe Mr Textor will step in to save the day. The ownership thing is getting tedious now.

If it had been used successfully already, that would normally indicate a typo when entering the email address on the subsequent occasion. Do you use autofill for these things Bill, or rely on typing?

I can't see Branthwaite going now plus Yoro plus Martinez.

Has anyone purchased this stream for the game today? Do I need to wait until match time before a different link pops up - I see the Watch Now button, but again - gives me the option to pay again. I am logged into the site. And I raised a support case - but I doubt they be able to respond before the game is over.

Any help much appreciated.

I have a "BUY NOW" button, despite purchasing the match pass.

Will I ever learn?!

I can't get access to the live stream… what a joke of a club we have become.

Website is demanding money to watch, Eff it I paid and it still won't let me watch the effing game

Bunch of fucking tossers that make Bromley look professional

£9 down the drain. I will challenge the charge on my credit card.

I signed up to my digital membership with Everton FC, logged in… can't get no viewing and they are asking me to buy a ticket to watch.

Does anyone know?

Ridiculous that the club charge for such low-grade production.

I honestly am so disappointed. Not only did I even try to buy the damn Official Membership again - which would not process as it kept coming back after the payment page saying I was missing details (I wasn't) - I then said screw it - and bought the damn single game pass TWICE. So I have put $23 into this fiasco (US dollars).

Will dispute credit card as well - but as I describe what I did to you guys, even I think maybe I deserved to lose the money due to sheer stupidity.

Well, I will jump into the Live Forum and get my updates that way.

Bunch of amateurs. No wonder they can't maximize commercial opportunities. They can't even get a live stream right every time.

Anyway, quick comment on the first half. Iroegbunam looks good as does Mykolenko. The rest getting up to steam but a bit worrying we haven't troubled their keeper once.

Italian commentary, but that is an added bonus as it lessens the chance of Jim Beglin covering the second half.

Prefer to use official sites wherever possible but EFC make that soooooo difficult. They do caveat their ‘offerings' with all sorts of warnings to try things out first but a multi-million pound entity that relies on ‘viewers' really should be able to provide something that works or at least gives you a valid error message when it doesn't, rather than an endless loop with no information.

Everton are still running on Sega 64…

Re Dele Alli, I just checked for an assist in that Palace game and I can sort of see the assist for the second goal. I was more impressed by the block he did on one of the Palace players allowing Calvert-Lewin space to get the winner..

Who knows, if Dele hadn't been involved with those goals, we may have been in the Championship so potentially losing more than the £13-19 million. So perhaps the assist was worth it.

Just a different way of looking at things.

Lindstrøm and Ndiaye on.

And put Ndiaya on the fucking wing?

I'm going out on a limb here but I don't think the shadows are down to the camera position.

I think that massive Main Stand, and the position of the sun dropping behind it, might somehow be the cause of the big shadow across the pitch.

It's not always down to Everton incompetence... just mostly.

Sad does not begin to cover some people's insistence on doing "their" club down.

Get a grip, for fuck's sake.

Brilliant!

I just kept logging out and then reloading the site and it eventually came up with the Watch It tab but it took about 10 times and kept wanting me to buy another ticket to the game!!

Bill, not sure what you mean by ‘notice' so, just for clarity, that is not an instruction to sign out, it is just an option you have when signed in.

There has been some requirement to re-register since an update on 17 June 2024 and you needed to complete a one-off verification (using a six-digit code often received via text message) after that to confirm your ‘updated' details.

I may just have left it too late to register for the match pass for the system to have reset in time, but it is still a very disappointing set-up in this day and age.

Have some standards, mate. Even Skywalker's home world in Star Wars had two suns to address shadows. Sort it out Thelwell.

I was truly shocked to read your glowing praise of DCL. Fair play to you.

In Sean Dyche we trust. Let's hope for a new owner before Christmas, it's about time we had one.

If he doesn't sign a new contract, he's a free agent next summer, but I believe it's a bigger gamble to sell him?

Not much of a crowd… but better late than never.

What????

Nice goal from Dom, wonder if it will be his last in an Everton shirt?!

The other highlights for me were O'Brien, who looked very comfortable on the ball and in the tackle. Not bad pace either.

The lad from Villa also looks a good signing and went on several runs from midfield and he can put himself about too. It's only pre-season but I have high hopes for this kid.

I thought it was more than that and I even got to see Rob Halligan on the screen.

What a goal from DCL! Anyone who can come up with that is star quality. Poor old MK having to write "Brilliant Calvert-Lewin goal".

I don't think we did steal a draw from the jaws of defeat. We looked promising in the second half and could well have won the game.

New lads showed good promise. Ndiaye looks exciting. Roma are no mugs but we definitely were not second best. Little bit poignant though. The last pre-season friendly at Goodison Park.

Some people on here really are fucking pathetic!

The new signings look great, just a shame you know he's going to continue with the limited Doucoure as a Number 10.

As for the comments about the sun, I sat in the Upper Bullens today for a change and the sun was really blinding; half the pitch was in shadow, so I can imagine it might have impacted the pictures a bit.

O'Brien did show he is totally one-footed. Gana will be very missed when he retires. Who said Dom doesn't do 1-on-1s.? I thought Harrison was poor going forward.

Beto caused a lot of problems and the driving forward from midfield was a pleasure to watch. And Armstrong was right at home in that company.

Why did Seamus go off?

I'd drop Harrison or McNeil and Doucoure, God knows we're crying out for a bit of flair from midfield and Ndiaye will give us that.

What I've seen of the kid from Villa, he's really impressed me and I've got a feeling he'll turn out 10 times the player Onana was.

Talking of players names that are hard to pronounce, I watched some of the Birmingham v Reading game today (don't ask) and check out the name of the lad who notched for Reading, now that is a tongue twister — it's got about 15 letters.

Kudos to the man or woman who comes up with a chant for him!

Next week is the last-ever opening game of the season at Goodison. There are going to be a lot of 'last-evers'...

Although headless chicken Harrison did improve a tad, we basically played with 9½ men. Ndiaye and Armstrong both impressed again, after coming on as subs.

Roma took 1 of 3 clear-cut chances in the 1st half and had 1 good chance in the 2nd half which Pickford saved well.

For me a fair result sone good positives the new lad from Villa looks like a great pkayer in the making.

I thought Lindstrøm looked like he had a groin or thigh strain before he even came on, but he seemed to be okay once he was on.

Hope is on the horizon.

UTFTs!

I clicks on to Everton F.C. main site where I am registered, I click on the logout and I am directed to a social account form that asks for personal details, I check that over to see that there has been no changes and click complete.

I then get a message: "Success, your account has been updated" and return back to EvertonFC.com. I still could not watch the game.

Just got into the Everton site again and they are showing the Highlights and they normally don't do that until the day after,

On Justin's post just take a look at the time he posted it. It's obviously a piss-take on the ongoing disaster that is the Everton TV feed!

I'll be there next week and Doucoure will start. He may even get the winner. I get why he plays but he's limited beyond belief at times.

Ndiaye looked like he will get the crowd off their seats, as Peter Mills noted last week. I liked him but he will frustrate as well — nobody's perfect!

I liked that Harrison Armstrong got a few minutes, my first glimpse of him. He wasn't over-awed or nervous by playing in the first team and I doubt this will be his last outing with the first team this season.

I enjoyed the day, hope it carries on like this.

Ndiaye is a perfect player to play with Calvert-Lewin. What did Dyche do? He put another headless chicken there, Harrison.
Calvert-Lewin needs a partner and that partner needs to stay around him.

Dyche is loyal to his favourites and so the likes of Iroegbunam, Ndiaye, Lindstrøm and Obrien will have to do well to establish themselves in the team. Ndiaye in particular looks to have something we have lacked but we must recognise that Dyche's pragmatism, as frustrating as it can, has kept us in the Premier League and perhaps from administration.

If the Irishman develops into a decent and solid Premier League centre-back, then that will be good enough. But if we lose Branthwaite, be under no illusions that we will be monumentally weakened as a team.

Certainly not many young centre-backs can hit the ground running in the Premier League like Jarrad did last season (and that's why he will likely go on to be a £75M player) but O'Brien may hopefully be close to that level by next season when I think it's more likely that Branthwaite will leave.

The highlights made Tim, from Villa look like a really good footballer, Dave, but I suppose your mate Onana would often look impressive if you only watched little clips.

I think he gets a hard deal at times and has become a bit of a whipping boy. Not saying he's outstanding or anything, but he's nowhere near as bad as his detractors reckon.

O'Brien just needs some time…

The old lady looked beautiful in the sunshine, I will miss her dearly.

Good game and good performance.

Tim Iroegbunam is immense and a steal, I think we have a serious player on our hands.

Nidiaye look electric but just needs to make sure he's doing it at the right end.

All-in-all, I'm very positive about the new season and hoping we give her a proper send off.

COYB

#101 & #102 — calm down, it's called humour.

Jake has largely been developed in the top league in France, which is no bad thing.

Jarrad made a mistake or two last season which is only to be expected but let's support Jake like most of us do Jarrad.

Heaven knows, they could become the most famous centre-back pairing since Hurst and Labone, and we've had more than a few great duos too.

Tarkowski is still brilliant though, boys!

Calvert-Lewin's goal was well taken, I hope he proves me wrong every week during the season. Happy to look like a chump if his goals lead to a successful season.

Some of the build-up play was above what I expected… I think we may surprise some teams this season.

I had paper tickets for myself and my grandson.

I thought Doucoure and Harrison were very poor and was amazed the Echo rated Harrison at an 8.

As at Preston last week, young Harrison Armstrong looks an excellent prospect.

Today, I thought he was a great partner for Gana against a team with an excellent midfield.

Armstrong didn't look out of place but I'm not sure where his best position is.

McNeil, Doucouré and Harrison were poor today and I hope they step it up for next week.

Their reading, recovery and game management of the game, today was immense.

All about getting up to speed again, so I will not be too hard on the three. We know they are decent players, so if they manage to step it up in the coming weeks, we could have a decent squad on our hands. Instead of flogging McNeil and Doucoure, week-in & week-out, we should be able to rotate and make our subs earlier than last season's 75 minutes and beyond mark.

Tim Iroegbunam has impressed me in all the friendlies so far, a player that can tackle and drive the ball forward, I think he will have a decent season.

First proper chance of seeing Ndiaye and he looks promising, weird as it sounds, he has the look of Deli Alli from the back and running with the ball, or is it just me who thinks that? Either way, the guy looks decent.

Even though he has only had cameo appearances, I like the look of Harrison Armstrong. Hard to believe he's only 17 years old, so I doubt he will get many bench appearances.

Finally, apologies for not getting to the Harlech, quite a bit of traffic on the road for the footy buses so I only got to Goodison at 3:25 so ended up going straight in the ground.

I think we have an overall decent squad, just the Calvert-Lewin uncertainty: Will he stay? Will we sell? That needs sorting.

I really thought right-back would be a priority recruitment position. Looks like Bournemouth are about to get Araujo from Barcelona for only £8M, a rapid young right-back who could prove a real talent.

Is Thelwell relying on Patterson to win Dyche over or are we stuck with Young and Coleman all season? (Both players I like as squad options but not first choice.)

Always welcome, but I hope we are not dependent on too many outstanding goals in the coming season. I would prefer a consistent team performance, which seems to have been worked on.

Nice to hear so many rate Tim over pre-season, hopefully Dom stays fit and scores his way into a 'big move' and we have a decent season (without a 4-month gap between League wins).

The technology at Goodison was no better yesterday. 2 of my 4 digital tickets failed to scan at the turnstile... the fella just rolled his eyes and let us all in anyway (as if he was expecting it).

In the Lower Bullens, we were limited to one food/drink window being open as the tills were down. It apparently took 40 minutes stood in the queue, if you could be arsed to wait.

More importantly, the game was played at a fairly intense level, considering no one wants to pick up a knock. Tim in the middle was largely excellent next to Gana. Roma caused us problems in the first half, but Everton looked far more cohesive in the 2nd.

Great goal from Calvert-Lewin — we need this lad to stay put and remain fit, otherwise the season will be a real struggle.

It will be interesting to see how much game time they get in the early part of the season, but it looks like we might at least have a bench that can change games for the first time in a long while.

I downloaded my ticket to my phone as instructed by EFC but it failed to scan. The same happened all last season but I had a physical card as backup. Apparently my phone does not support the required technology?

I'm expecting the new stadiium to be entirely digital. I've been told the club would like to get rid of cards altogether.

Just don't lose your phone or drop it in your pint!!!

We played very well against a really decent team. Tim Iroegbunam was again outstanding and is doing what we were told Onana could do but didn't — he wins the ball, either loose or in tackles, quick passer, drives past opponents with power and deceptive pace — a great buy!

O'Brien will be fine — just needs to gell with Tarkoeski and Mykolenko. Calvert-Lewin and Beto both did well… and as for Ndiaye!!!! He is electric, hugely entertaining and will scare the crap out of defenders.

Well done, boys — best friendly I've seen in many years!

I thought McNeil was very poor and while Doucoure has performed well in the No 10 role last season, it's quite apparent that we need a No 10.

Calvert-Lewin worked hard and scored a very good goal. Gana and Iroegbunam were very solid in midfield. While O'Brien made a mistake in the first half which wasn't punished, he had a decent game.

But when Ndiaye came on, the whole mood of the crowd changed, not since the opening couple of games of Demari Gray has an Everton player looked an exciting player to watch.

He has pace, can dribble, and showed he also has a good shot in him, I would be amazed if he doesn't find the No 10 role as his best position.

A draw was a fair result but we do need to start creating and taking our chances, I am afraid if we play the same front 3 with Doucoure behind we will not score enough goals.

I still haven't received my credit card type season ticket. Has anyone else received theirs yet?

I was talking to my brother and he said it's not unusual for them to come out a week before. So those who haven't should see them this coming week I imagine. Finger crossed. 🤞

I'd phone the club.

I believe all season tickets are sent electronically and the physical card has to be requested at an extra cost of £10.

I got mine some weeks ago. It came in a little pouch which for some unknown reason has a sticky back. No doubt someone will enlighten me!

I wonder would they be interested in a deal for Holgate at 'friend' prices?

I requested a card, I don't trust Everton and anything electronic!

I will call them tomorrow. 👍🏻

I got my season ticket 2 weeks ago in a box with a metal pin badge, £10 for this as I forgot to opt out. My lad has digital only with nothing in the post as yet, so I presume digital season tockets don't get the badge.

If you've got a smartphone, you could download the digital ticket just in case the card doesn't arrive before Saturday. I have both and mainly use the digital.

Oh and I must stress, I don't believe the club is at fault for the post. 🤨

I'm worried about our right-back position; I thought he'd give Dixon a run when Seamus went off — he looked promising in pre-season.

Also, ridiculously early to be writing O'Brien off after two games — he was superb for Lyons last season.

We have the same issue. I somehow messed up with our order and have the digital tickets. Have emailed EFC and hope they will send standard cards.

Please let them have regular starts...

But, knowing how incompetent Everton are, I thought that I'd ask. I have had this seat for about 30 years and don't want to lose it due to someone else.

My red mate says he has to have his in a designated wallet.

It works better.

I find Safari more stable.

With age and all my muscular injuries catching up with me, steps are looking ever more intimidating. Then a 70-year-old will waltz past me!!!

Yes, the club say you must use Chrome as your default browser. Also they give following advice -

IMPORTANT: Your ticket MUST be downloaded into your Apple Wallet or Google Wallet (Android) to work with the entry system at Goodison Park. A screenshot of your digital ticket or the email confirming your digital ticket WILL NOT permit you access into the stadium.

IMPORTANT: If you have an Android device, ensure NFC (the technology behind contactless entry) is switched on. To do so, simply head to Google Wallet, then 'Settings', then 'Contactless Setup'. Here, make sure NFC is switched on and Google Wallet is set as your default payment.

It's a far cry from queuing up in the rain with a ten-bob note!

Visited the ticket office last Friday to complain and there were 8 others there all with the same problem. Said they couldn't do anything until Monday or Tuesday and took our membership numbers and phone numbers to give us a call back this coming week.

Total shambles.

I don't think they have been there before, thinking at the time are they getting us ready for Bramley-Moore's new exits in the external walls.

My mate has not yet received his season ticket, so he phoned the club on Friday. He was told he hadn't paid for the card version.

He told the person he would pay the £10 over the phone there and then but was told he couldn't do that. Was given no logical explanation as to why he couldn't do that, other than just couldn't!

The girl he spoke to said the club would ring him on Monday (tomorrow) to sort it out. Apparently there are hundreds in a similar situation. So the club will be making hundreds of phone calls tomorrow, so anyone thinking of phoning them might be in for a long wait.

I noticed most of the boxes were empty yesterday. The Directors Box and surrounding corporate seats seemed to only have about half a dozen people in them and Park End ones were completely empty.

Any idea what that was about?

I applied for mine on 11 April and I am waiting for my season ticket with less than a week to go.

When will this club consider everyone who goes to the match? They've had years to sort out “technology “ but the chimpanzees running the club are useless.

Thanks for the kind words, Danny.

A few years back, they sent the wrong physical STs to the wrong people. I got one for the Upper Gwladys when I am in Top Balcony.

Turned out that they had young temps in summer in the office that weren't told about putting the same address ST in the same address envelope.

The season after, when the Tech came in, loads of phones didn't work because those in the office didn't have a clue about how to work it.

I spoke to one girl in the office who said it had just been dumped on them from above 2 weeks before the start of the season without any explanation or training and they were told 'just sort it'.

Last year, loads of physical STs weren't delivered. My nephew's arrived in April 2024! For the first few weeks, we had to go to the box office and get a paper ticket as the card 'was in the post'. They ended up issuing a new one but only in October.

It's indicative of the lack of professionalism behind the scenes from top to bottom.

I am not a "grassy knollist" by a long chalk but believe you me — in 5 years, if you are stopped and questioned by the Old Bill and you don't have a smartphone, you'll be in lumber.

Remember the outcry over identity cards in the 80's? Well we ain't seen nothing yet.

Whilst I would admit that Branthwaite has the higher ceiling, it's far too early to suggest O'Brien won't make the grade.

Just for your information, the Man Utd fans all rate O'Brien highly.

I don't rate De Ligt. Jarrad Branthwaite is already a better defender. I would expect Branthwaite is safe with us for another season. Time to bed in young Jake. Now for a couple of full-backs.

I received and downloaded my digital ticket last week but will be pissed if I don't get the commemorative Goodison badge which comes with the physical card because nowhere was this mentioned when I ordered.

I haven't suggested that he won't ‘make the grade'.

I actually floated the likelihood that he'll become a scent and solid centre back.

He just won't come in and replace Branthwaite at the same standard. And that will impact our performances.

This is based on my early interpretation that many Everton fans think we have a like-for-like replacement. We don't.

It's like when Distin replaced Lescott. A good signing and a player with similar attributes but nowhere near the level of Lescott. That's not to say Distin was a bad player. He wasn't. And I don't think O'Brien will be.

I personally would welcome ID cards. Most of Europe can manage and they even use them in lieu of passports.

"If he does become a scent I'd buy Eau d'O'Brien"

Okay, sarcasm Liam, I can't abide by it myself. When is the scent available?

I don't recall seeing any box to tick for a commemorative pack, though.

They must have been enjoying their pre-match meal and drinks as we queued on the cramped concourses!

Overall, a decent watch, although some of that space may not be there in PL matches. This time Gana looked in the deeper role in defence with Iro operating effectively as the playmaker. His positioning seemed to key the surrounding movement with some watching for cover. The runs are not sharp yet but positions know what lanes are being worked deep and how to run in support or cover. It looked more coherent with some leadership in midfield.

Just showed that Collins-like tackle by Iro and the pass sent through for shot on goal(73'),Cha!

I just find it easier having the card in my wallet. If I cannot make a game, it's easy to pass it on to a family member to use. I know you can assign a ticket online, but for now I will stick with staying with the card.

Unsure if the plastic wallet with the sticky back is of much use — though maybe you could stick it onto the back of your mobile phone (nb: my attempt at humour).

I guess we are of a certain age who can recall the lifting over. It would take a bit of doing these days!

Are they going to have USB charging stations on the outside of BMD so you can do a quick 2-minute charge to get your ticket? I can see some of us getting a bit irate, with "I have paid £50 for a ticket and my phone is out of battery and you won't let me in!"

Time will tell how good Branthwaite will be, we will have a better idea after another season or even two.

Also everyone these days (companies/businesses assume everyone, not only has access, is technology proficient, has the latest technology, and knows how to do, x, y and z.

Our generation were never brought up with it, yet are expected to be au fait with it all. I often wonder is this to make it easier for them (admins)? It certainly isn't for our benefit!

Maybe you could approach the club with a view to sending out reminders on the day of the game to charge your effing phone!

Dere k#203.

Your carer will be au fait with it all, don't worry.

Carer is off sick, through stress of all this technology overdose! :-)

🤭

The problem with people "of a certain age" is not the technology, it is their fucking pig-headedness at not listening to younger (or same age tbh) people trying to persuade them it is better and cheaper!!!

No! No! NO!

An earlier poster remarked about his "steam-powered Nokia"!! Imagine how many years it took some family member to persuade him his mobile Nokia was quite handy???

You can share mine mate, if only I could remember how to contact her! 🤫

Phil #206.

A reminder about that £50 you owe me. 😇

- Never been to Liverpool, let alone Goodison Park

- Visited England / Scotland once during your summer (ha.. ha.. the temperatures were mostly single digit Celsius in May!)

- I hate winters

- I will likely travel alone, but might try to entice one of my daughters to join me

- I can come in on a Friday from Bangalore to London and then take a train to Liverpool. And would probably spend a couple of days going around the area after the game before returning back the mid of the week.

Should I contact the club directly for tickets?

What would be a good game to see at GP?

Thanks in advance for your help ideas and suggestions.

I'd say sooner rather than later.

We really are silly Billys!!

Also, I would contact the club if I were you, regarding obtaining one. Explain your situation, and how far you will be travelling etc and I am fairly confident they will do something for you.

Please keep us informed and be great to see you in the Harlech Castle (pre-match) you will get to meet a few familiar names and be able to put faces to them. Best of luck, mate!

I'm the fossil with the Nokia. I had a mobile but can't remember the mod number to save my life, but I can remember the name of the first jointing plane I had in 1965.

I actually worked for a Telecom company and they were provided but I retired over 20 years ago and we had no children, hence no grandchildren to give us a tip or advice.

Not pig headed at all. You remind me of a gobby little entitled cow who I asked for some help from in a supermarket mobile section. After many sighs and eye rolls, she eventually said the cable in my hand was correct. It wasn't.

We all have different talents, my mate's son has a degree in mathematics but can't put a 13-amp plug on. I have some talents that many young people will never have because our lives involved repairing things, we didn't grow up in the throwaway society that younger generations worship.

ps: I was the first member in my family to have a mobile, I have never had to change every year because I'm not as gullible as you.

Pull the red cord in your bathroom mate.

Ajay, you most go to Liverpool and Goodison Park. Ponder no more, it will be joyous life affirming experience and you will meet the nicest people on earth

I usually arrive at the Upper Gwladys Street turnstiles at around 10 minutes before kick-off and if the queue is held up it's invariably by young people trying to get in with their phones. I'll stick to my card, thank you very much!

Like Nike says, and Mike too, just do it. Ignore the weather. Goodison is magic.

You might consider traveling on a Thursday. You'll have been traveling for 16-18 hours straight by the time you get to Liverpool. An extra day to rest up is welcome.

When you've got your dates set, post on TW and I guarantee one of these grand local lads will step up and offer you a lovely car tour of the area. Evertonians are incredibly hospitable people.

Book your train tickets from Heathrow to London to Liverpool in advance on Trainline.

For accommodations you can't go wrong with a Premier Inn. Inexpensive and comfy. There's one right up Lime Street from the train station.

Enjoy!

I live in New Zealand and have been supporting since around 1984 but have only been lucky enough to see a game at Goodison once. I can honestly say it was one of the best and most emotional moments of my life.

When you're used to people asking you why you support Everton and knowing less than 10 actual Everton fans, being surrounded by Toffees was absolutely joyous. Brilliantly Alan Ball came out at half time to a brilliant ovation.

Sadly, due to piss poor planning on my part, I was only in Liverpool for the game so didn't get to see anything of Liverpool itself. My brother decided I needed to see Anfield so did a drive by but I couldn't really have cared less. :)

Just do it Ajay... you won't regret doing it but you will regret not doing it:)

Make sure you give yourself time to explore the city. We can give you recommendations and clearly take a trip to Bramley Moore to view our stunning new stadium.

Mark, it's up, but I can't view it. Maybe it's my browser (I've tried two), but it tells me “page won't load”?

Ahead of Brighton and the pre-match thread being started, I'll be at the Harlech. Hopefully on the pavement subject to weather! Hope to see some of you there.

Heyyy… you know we don't understand irony round here.

Mark #215,

Red cord? Red cord?
I don't go near anything red!
I'd scream and shout but I know these rooms are soundproof.

Good points, Bill! No doubt they'll sail right over some people's head.

Ajay may need some help to get tickets if he has not paid for membership.

I thought last year was going to be the last year. Booked the palace game this time last year. The game gets moved to Monday. Had to rearrange my flight to connect in Miami instead of going straight from Philadelphia. But I got goodison under the lights!!!

Walked around the city by myself, saw the new stadium, Prince Ruperts Tower, walked by our first home before walking through Stanley Park to Goodison, St Luke's and meat pie before the match. Onana equalized after a great Ayew strike (as an American I hate that family lol)

Spent almost as much in airports and trains but the Hajj needed to be done. I've been a member for years just to get the goody box but still went through "sportsbreaks" (they arranged hotel and handled hotel changes after match got moved and my ticket was waiting for me at goodison on matchday). Might have been more expensive by zero headache.

I like Steve live in NZ and have been following/supporting Everton since 1977.

Back then I had the good fortune to stumble into a whole train carriage of London toffees enroute to the game at GP and I couldn't have been treated better once they found out I'd come from NZ.

I managed to stay overnight in Liverpool and had a great night with the locals there. Such fond memories of great people even the red scousers I met.

Even though I'd supported Everton for 10 years prior to my first experience at GP, it is something else. It will leave a real impression on you and fulfill that apt phrase - “once Everton has touched you…”

Enjoy your trip and the best fans in England.

Like many have said, Premier Inns are about the best for the price and everything you want or need is catered for! Hope that helps too.

You are a hero following this club from afar at this point in history.

Get that plane, Goodison is a jewelry box of history and emotion and I'm not sure the new place will compete.

The club should put you front and centre in the Directors Box for such effort.

Good luck, fella!

I will certainly keep my plans posted on TW after I finalise. Fingers crossed …..

Excellent post, Ray.

My son has a Law Degree, IPD, E MBA.

Me, just two miserable HNDs!!

I have never seen him attempt to do anything related to DIY, not us old dogs who can turn our hand to most things as in my case building my own house. All plugs in working order.

I always watch for posts from yourself, Steven Vincent and Derek Knox as we had a great time during my last visit from the Philippines when we had the golf tournament at Hawarden. You also very graciously let me have your ticket for the West Ham game when Maupay, yes Maupay actually scored. Not may Toffees have seen that!

That was supposed to be my bucket trip and last visit to see the Blues being 70 earlier in July but the wife has recently said that I can visit just once more to see one game at the new Blue Palace on the banks of the Mersey.

Plenty of ailments at 70 but here's hoping we can all get together one more time in the Bramley Moore pub across from the new stadium once we have moved on from the Old Lady.

Couldn't get through the passport scanner and was asked to go and see the Senior Custom's Officer.

Seems that I had not downloaded a specific bar code on the visa application process which can only be done online.

Automation!!

I was advised that it would be better if I would learn to properly use my iPhone in order that I didn't make the same mistake again.

Moral of the story is you can't go to Singapore if you don't have an iPhone and a computer to book your entry visa.

Be great to hook up again when the new stadium is completed and up and running! Take care, buddy, and regards to all in the Philippines.

I went to Goodison today to upgrade one of the tickets and also to try and get a couple of paper tickets for Brendan and his wife.

We are not doing paper tickets this season and if you upgrade, it will go on your email, was the reply. This email can then be passed onto Brendan's phone, as means of a receipt, was what I was told.

"You told my father that he couldn't have a paper ticket and wanted to charge him extra for Saturday's game," I said, and then a superior came along and told me that it was different for Saturday, because it was only a friendly.

"I understand," I said, "you are moving the goalposts and mustn't want to print out a ticket in case of ticket touting?"
"That is one reason," I was told, "but we are not printing out paper tickets this season" I was told again.

"What about complimentary tickets, have you stopped issuing paper tickets for this?"

"What has that got to do with it?" she asked.

"Well, I'm just wondering if you still use paper tickets for complimentary tickets and assume that, if you still do, then the information you are giving me is false."

She came back and said she has received information that they still do use paper for complimentary tickets, because the recipients don't have a fan card.

I know everyone is just doing a job but not many people want to really help you nowadays because, when I suggested that I'm not a ticket tout, and I could just give her Brendan's address, and Everton could send the tickets straight to him, I was told if she started doing this for me then she would have to start doing it for everyone… 🤦‍♂️ honestly.

I then went to another window, upgraded the ticket and got a paper receipt to prove the ticket had been upgraded, which was a lot simpler for me than having to start sending emails to Brendan.

The world has changed and Covid was possibly used to help the reset move along a lot more swiftly.

Look at seeing if Everton are playing a couple of games in four days, starting with an away game on the Saturday, (especially for a London fixture) and then a home game under the floodlights, in the midweek.

I will give you my ticket, and try my best to get you one for the away game, and I am already aware that I've got to try and fix Peter Day up, at some stage this season.

I wonder if Christine is gonna try and get to Goodison one last time and, if she does, I will also give up my seat for her, but the one game I'm not giving up is the final home match of the season, because that just won't be an emotional day — it's going to be a very emotional week.

I would imagine non-season-ticket holders will be desperate for one final day at Goodison Park.

Actually, I am eyeing the 2 back-to-back home games in December (cooooold but, grin and bear it I suppose) — Wolves on Wednesday under the floodlights and the last derby at Goodison Park on Saturday. Am I being too greedy?

Remember sometimes a Saturday game will get changed to a Sunday or even a Monday night game. Just a thought when planning your flights.

Leave a few days spare after the games just in case

It could still be on the Saturday with either a 12.30pm or 5.30pm kick off, but the good thing now is, I think all TV games must be announced 6 weeks in advance.

Either way, you'll have more of a chance of a ticket for Wolves than the derby game.

Ajay, travelling that far, you can have mine. Likewise Christine.

Next day, 35-minute flight to Manchester, picked up and driven to my brothers house after multiple stops and a diversion for an accident.

I must say that travel is not as good as it used to be, and since I moved to Canada in1976 I have been back about 8 or more times.

Good spot though, mate, because I do believe the closer we get towards the end of the season, the more people are going to be clamoring for tickets, and maybe this is the reason the club have decided that they don't want to take a chance with paper tickets this season.

I've travelled to Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Canada was okay, but I am used to travelling to North America.

I could never figure out if the best route to Australia from the UK was to go through Singapore or go the other way from San Francisco.

When I did go to New Zealand, I didn't realise we would have another 3 hour flight. And we were at a military base called Burnham, south of Christchurch.

Now I've been in some scrapes in my life, but that crossing across the Cook Straights is brutal!! You certainly need your sea legs!

Seriously but the only time I have ever seen Everton come from behind to beat Liverpool in my lifetime came on 7 December (I've just checked the date now because I had a feeling it was the night before my birthday) so if you're already over, I'm sure I will help you find a way to get in the stadium, and hopefully watch us do it for only the second time in over 50 seasons.

I wonder how many seasons it actually is? Maybe someone like Dave, John Mc, or John Rafferty will give us the answer.

Danny, Bill, Ajay, I think I've got everybody beat with my first journey to Goodison. From a little beach town in Oregon to Lime Street station required three planes and four trains (it was Grand National weekend, so the best trains were booked up). The whole odyssey was 22 hours. And that doesn't even count the subsequent Liverpool shopping trip, tour and dinner with Rob. That was a day!

Yes, John, Hawarden was a really good day out, decent golf (from some!) good food and the company of fellow Blues. The recipe for success.

I mentioned that I had not received my season ticket yesterday so I called the club. Of course the lines were busy so the automated voice promised to call me back. And they did.

The lad at the ticket office offered me the choice of a card or the wallet version. I chose the card (obviously because I'm fucking pig-headed and don't listen to younger or same-age people.) There was no problem at all with the service.👍🏻

The thing is, I'm taking my new knee on a golfing holiday sometime in April and my ticket will be available then plus at least one or two more matches. There will be some tickets available for ToffeeWebbers for a last emotional visit. Maybe TW could collate spare tickets to help our visiting overseas fans?

Incidentally, I put my Brighton ticket on the club site at face value and it sold in 19 minutes….😳

I remember talking to my red mate, and telling him how you was from America, and had been touring Italy, and had extended your stay in Europe, to come to Liverpool to watch the derby, and how tickets were very scarce.

My friend lost his mum, to cancer at a very early age, and he suddenly said, “that man has definitely been through a lot with that bastard disease, so tell him not to worry because he has got a ticket now”

An everyday conversation about football, and writing this now, has got me thinking about how a lot of Evertonians and Liverpudlians, used to look after each other on a regular basis, when it came to giving each other tickets on derby day.

A game that was always tense, suddenly became a game with a lot more anger. Hatred even, because although I'm only speaking for myself, the mate who gave you his ticket, is probably the only Liverpudlian I might speak to on derby day, other than my partner and my stepson.

I remember you called the other fella, who met you with the tickets a bit strange Mike (or words to that affect) and the best way to describe him,is to explain that he absolutely hates anything to do with Everton Football Club, and he probably couldn't wait to get away from you!!

Goodison has been special to me since I can recall watching Albert Dunlop save a penalty between his legs, standing on Gwladys Street in a denim jacket over a white dress on my wedding day, beating Man Utd. I confess I will be a wreck on that day I do get there again, probably cry the whole game lol. I cannot, not be there, god willing.

So thank you for the offer of a ticket, the actual opposition is irrelevant because it doesn't really matter, just being there is bookending my life.

Danny, the Cook Straits is worse than the Channel any day. I found it's best to find a space to lie down flat on the floor, close my eyes and put a blanket over my head. I am a lousy sailor but so far it's worked.

I think this site is a life saver for us blues so far away from home. For those who have yet to sample Goodison, try... it will be a milestone in your life. With so many people helping you, it will be magic!

I'm going to miss the place. Although the shot they showed of the new gaff looked amazing from the aerial river view.

"I was nearly blubbing into my porridge."

You'll be able to go to Goodison again once you're out.

I saw that segment on Sky Sports News — it was quite moving.

Thinking about our final home game vs Southampton, it's scheduled for Sunday 3pm because of the FA Cup Final the previous day. Anyone think the kick-off time will be moved to suit our Sky paymasters?

That was the Peter Beardsley/Mo Johnson derby in 1992. 32 years ago.

Jobbe may have had a word, hence the move to Brentford breaking down.

Jack, better to avoid him if he has no legs. Although McNeil only has one foot...