A (very) long shot, advice appreciated

[kitch]

I know how this will read to a lot of people (I'd be one of you, myself) but this 100% genuine. It's a bit candid for 10am on a Saturday, but there you go!

I'm hoping someone might know who to contact at the club (and how best to do it) regarding 5 tickets for the Everton away game. I realise that's a tall ask, but here's why:

My father-in-law was an Everton fan his whole life. I myself am a Southampton fan, which by traditional default afflicted my three boys (15 (twins) and 13). My boys were very close to their grandad, and though they'd often take the piss in the way we all do with Everton, they respected his devotion to the blues.

Aged 60, he was diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer in autumn 2022. He underwent a gruelling few years of treatment, but the cancer was aggressive (contained a mutation, or something?) We tried to make memories, as you do, and one of the plans was to take the boys to Goodison to see an Everton game, but being that he lived down here and hadn't been a regular since the 80s when he lived up there (he was from Liverpool - Everton would be a weird hill to die on if you were from round here), it meant getting tickets was nigh-on impossible, even as a home supporter once he moved down here (Navy). Think we have it bad down here? Think again!

We were putting plans in place over Xmas last year, but in January of this year his condition worsened. He made it to Goodison in January to see a cup game (which they lost) having managed to blag a ticket allocation from a STH, but only managed to get two tickets, so took his son with him.

The weekend of the 5th April was a rough one for my family. Our relegation was confirmed, and he died on the 7th.

My kids (and wife) have taken it hard. He was 63yrs old, and a young 63 at that. Was kicking a ball around with them only last autumn.

What I would love to do for them is to find a way of buying tickets for this game, as a way of 'sending him off', if that makes sense? We approached Everton about this back in February, when it was clear things were going downhill fast. You know Everton, the "People's club?" They didn't give a shit.

So I know it's a long shot, but if anyone could think of a way to be able to buy tickets for that game, I'd be all ears. I'd even buy four and just send the boys and their mum in, and wait outside.

I realise it's a tall order, and that writing personal shit on forums isn't a great look, but I'm stuck for where to go. I looked for an email address on the website and it's just the generic 'contact us' type.

Just putting my faith in the club that despite the horrendous season, they might be able to show some class in contrast to "the People's club!" But I also appreciate it's a limited number of tickets and a lot of dedicated travelling fans have priority (our away support this season has been immense, they all deserve the tickets)

Anyways, that's enough. Thanks!

[Football Special]

It's unlikely Saints will sell out, assuming you are all Saints fans with active accounts / purchase history you should be able to get tickets for the game 

[Football Special]

https://www.southamptonfc.com/en/everton-v-southampton

 

[Gloucester Saint]

27 minutes ago, Football Special said:

It's unlikely Saints will sell out, assuming you are all Saints fans with active accounts / purchase history you should be able to get tickets for the game 

Unless they do what Man City did, but very unlikely. 

Even less likely we score the last goal there and keep a clean sheet, as Michael Svensson accomplished. 

[benjii]

5 hours ago, kitch said:

I know how this will read to a lot of people (I'd be one of you, myself) but this 100% genuine. It's a bit candid for 10am on a Saturday, but there you go!

I'm hoping someone might know who to contact at the club (and how best to do it) regarding 5 tickets for the Everton away game. I realise that's a tall ask, but here's why:

My father-in-law was an Everton fan his whole life. I myself am a Southampton fan, which by traditional default afflicted my three boys (15 (twins) and 13). My boys were very close to their grandad, and though they'd often take the piss in the way we all do with Everton, they respected his devotion to the blues.

Aged 60, he was diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer in autumn 2022. He underwent a gruelling few years of treatment, but the cancer was aggressive (contained a mutation, or something?) We tried to make memories, as you do, and one of the plans was to take the boys to Goodison to see an Everton game, but being that he lived down here and hadn't been a regular since the 80s when he lived up there (he was from Liverpool - Everton would be a weird hill to die on if you were from round here), it meant getting tickets was nigh-on impossible, even as a home supporter once he moved down here (Navy). Think we have it bad down here? Think again!

We were putting plans in place over Xmas last year, but in January of this year his condition worsened. He made it to Goodison in January to see a cup game (which they lost) having managed to blag a ticket allocation from a STH, but only managed to get two tickets, so took his son with him.

The weekend of the 5th April was a rough one for my family. Our relegation was confirmed, and he died on the 7th.

My kids (and wife) have taken it hard. He was 63yrs old, and a young 63 at that. Was kicking a ball around with them only last autumn.

What I would love to do for them is to find a way of buying tickets for this game, as a way of 'sending him off', if that makes sense? We approached Everton about this back in February, when it was clear things were going downhill fast. You know Everton, the "People's club?" They didn't give a shit.

So I know it's a long shot, but if anyone could think of a way to be able to buy tickets for that game, I'd be all ears. I'd even buy four and just send the boys and their mum in, and wait outside.

I realise it's a tall order, and that writing personal shit on forums isn't a great look, but I'm stuck for where to go. I looked for an email address on the website and it's just the generic 'contact us' type.

Just putting my faith in the club that despite the horrendous season, they might be able to show some class in contrast to "the People's club!" But I also appreciate it's a limited number of tickets and a lot of dedicated travelling fans have priority (our away support this season has been immense, they all deserve the tickets)

Anyways, that's enough. Thanks!

Can't help, I'm afraid, but best wishes to you all.

[Farmer Saint]

If you need a customer number to link, you can happily have mine - inbox me if you do.

Sorry for your loss.

Edited Saturday at 16:14 by Farmer Saint

[kitch]

7 hours ago, Football Special said:

It's unlikely Saints will sell out, assuming you are all Saints fans with active accounts / purchase history you should be able to get tickets for the game 

My wife classes herself as Everton, but we've only been to a handful of home games all season, so would only qualify for general sale. Would guess they'll all be well sold out by then.

[kitch]

2 hours ago, Farmer Saint said:

If you need a customer number to link, you can happily have mine - inbox me if you do.

Sorry for your loss.

Thanks. I've got a customer number but I've only managed a couple of home games this year. I think they're doing ID checks on anyone who goes (because Everton fans are trying to buy tickets in the away end)

[Ascot_Saint]

Hey, I will definitely have a spare ticket when they go on sale on Wednesday. It will be an under 18 ticket, if you want it let me know. My son can’t come but as I don’t want him having an away credit less than mine I’m planning on buying him a ticket anyway. I’ll be looking at sitting in the upper tier, front row.

[sledger]

if youre one of the thousand that need id at everton to pick up youre ticket you will be screwed if youve given youre ticket away so be carefull

[Ascot_Saint]

6 hours ago, sledger said:

if youre one of the thousand that need id at everton to pick up youre ticket you will be screwed if youve given youre ticket away so be carefull

I’ve not given it away, I’ll be at the match and will have a spare ticket for a fellow Saints fan. I have no problem in picking up a ticket using my ID at GP if I have to.

[EssEffCee]

Depends on whether it's a case or lead booked collects or whether they'll want id for every ticket.

I think 1000 is too many and it's going be chaotic to be honest.

[kitch]

14 hours ago, Ascot_Saint said:

Hey, I will definitely have a spare ticket when they go on sale on Wednesday. It will be an under 18 ticket, if you want it let me know. My son can’t come but as I don’t want him having an away credit less than mine I’m planning on buying him a ticket anyway. I’ll be looking at sitting in the upper tier, front row.

That's kind mate, thanks. I'll speak to the family, though the kids suffer anxiety issues so may not want to sit with a stranger, but I really appreciate that offer. Good man.

[kitch]

3 hours ago, EssEffCee said:

Depends on whether it's a case or lead booked collects or whether they'll want id for every ticket.

I think 1000 is too many and it's going be chaotic to be honest.

You think we won't sell more than 1000?

[EssEffCee]

33 minutes ago, kitch said:

You think we won't sell more than 1000?

No I think we'll sell them all. 1000 is the number that have to be collected which is what I think is too many.

[SaintBanks]

8 hours ago, EssEffCee said:

No I think we'll sell them all. 1000 is the number that have to be collected which is what I think is too many.

It’s only 500 being collected isn’t it? [Edit: ignore this. I’ve had a few beers today and that hasn’t aided my ability to read properly! 🍻]

Hope the OP and his family finds tickets.

Edited Sunday at 20:23 by SaintBanks
Being a tool

[SaintBanks]

14 hours ago, Ascot_Saint said:

I’ve not given it away, I’ll be at the match and will have a spare ticket for a fellow Saints fan. I have no problem in picking up a ticket using my ID at GP if I have to.

If Kitch doesn’t want this ticket I’d be interested by the way. Hoping to take my son but chances of him getting a ticket aren’t good. 

[Forester]

This game will comfortably sell out, last away game of season always does and many want to see last game at Goodison.

Very sorry for your family’s loss Kitch

[dsrdorset]

Sorry to hear your story. As someone who has just finished finished 6 rounds of chemo at age 51, I am fully aware how real the big C is. It's horrendous. 

I really hope you get tickets and give your father-in-law the send off that he deserves. Doesn't surprise me in the slightest that Everton weren't helpful, that's modern premier league football sadly. But I am hopeful that Saints will come up with the goods, don't take no for an answer. Maybe call or turn up at the ticket office in person?

 

All the best to you and your family. 

[Football Special]

On 20/04/2025 at 12:24, EssEffCee said:

No I think we'll sell them all. 1000 is the number that have to be collected which is what I think is too many.

I wonder if they are doing it as a deterant as logistically collecting that many tickets before a midday ko will be tricky, those travelling up on the day won't have loads of time pre match. 

https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/25106588.southampton-aim-bust-ticket-touting-historic-everton-match/?ref=socialflow#

[EssEffCee]

9 hours ago, Football Special said:

I wonder if they are doing it as a deterant as logistically collecting that many tickets before a midday ko will be tricky, those travelling up on the day won't have loads of time pre match. 

https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/25106588.southampton-aim-bust-ticket-touting-historic-everton-match/?ref=socialflow#

Do you mean they might not actually do it? Perhaps but then it'd only work this once.

I think they will and they've just grossly underestimated how long it'll take to sort out 1000 tickets pre match. Really hope I don't get picked.

[TheAlehouseBrawlers]

Just a thought on these 1,000 collections - the away box office (next to the away turnstiles) usually opens 3 hours before kick-off. If collecting early and then wandering off, I would advise immediately taking a photo of your ticket/seat number as they'll likely be some scallies happy to try and mug a ticket. At least the scrotes can get nicked if the OB have your seat number. Probably applies to any Saints ticket holder really.

[EssEffCee]

8 minutes ago, TheAlehouseBrawlers said:

Just a thought on these 1,000 collections - the away box office (next to the away turnstiles) usually opens 3 hours before kick-off. If collecting early and then wandering off, I would advise immediately taking a photo of your ticket/seat number as they'll likely be some scallies happy to try and mug a ticket. At least the scrotes can get nicked if the OB have your seat number. Probably applies to any Saints ticket holder really.

Yeah I fully expect there to be little cunts everywhere asking the time away from the immediate vicinity of the ground.

[TheAlehouseBrawlers]

30 minutes ago, EssEffCee said:

Yeah I fully expect there to be little cunts everywhere asking the time away from the immediate vicinity of the ground.

The only flaw in my plan is, they’ll probably mug your phone as well!

[EssEffCee]

10 minutes ago, TheAlehouseBrawlers said:

The only flaw in my plan is, they’ll probably mug your phone as well!

I plan on getting in the ground quite early anyway. Can see loads of Everton fans trying to bunk in and it becoming chaos close to KO.

[Football Special]

1 hour ago, EssEffCee said:

I plan on getting in the ground quite early anyway. Can see loads of Everton fans trying to bunk in and it becoming chaos close to KO.

I remember the last game at The Dell, we had those bus pass style season ticket cards that just needed to be shown , nothing scanned or ripped out, some in the Archers were able to chuck their season ticket back over the wall or push under exit gate for a mate to then use same ticket again, modern tech probably stops that but no doubt the scallies will have a few tricks up their sleeves 

[Football Special]

2 hours ago, EssEffCee said:

Do you mean they might not actually do it? Perhaps but then it'd only work this once.

I think they will and they've just grossly underestimated how long it'll take to sort out 1000 tickets pre match. Really hope I don't get picked.

Yeah or might not actually do full 1000, seems like a warning to put off those tempted to make a quick £££ by buying just to sell on. 

If I need to collect will definitely aim to get there before the coaches arrive 

[Sarnia Cherie]

I am so sorry to hear about your father-in-law. I am unable to help but hope that someone amongst our lovely supporters will be able to find a way.

What struck me is that years ago a story like this would have spurred both clubs into getting you and your family to the game. Sadly, big business has got in the way of human kindness, compassion and understanding. 

I hope you all get to the game to remember someone who clearly meant the world to you all. 

[TheAlehouseBrawlers]

Tickets selling fast for this, should quickly sell out.

We went their last away game in the 1973-74 relegation season and won 0-3. But Birmingham also won so we became victims of the first time of 3 teams going down from the top flight.

Bogey ground mostly for us although we did win up there the season before too. My first season of going regularly was 1971-72, we got done 8-0 that year…

[kitch]

On 22/04/2025 at 19:59, dsrdorset said:

Sorry to hear your story. As someone who has just finished finished 6 rounds of chemo at age 51, I am fully aware how real the big C is. It's horrendous. 

I really hope you get tickets and give your father-in-law the send off that he deserves. Doesn't surprise me in the slightest that Everton weren't helpful, that's modern premier league football sadly. But I am hopeful that Saints will come up with the goods, don't take no for an answer. Maybe call or turn up at the ticket office in person?

 

All the best to you and your family. 

Cheers, keep fighting the good fight!

[kitch]

Appreciate the kind words and suggestions, cheers chaps