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Read Paul Barber's Everton programme notes

Here's what the chief executive and deputy chairman had to say ahead of last night's 0-0 draw with the Toffees.

By BHAFC • 13 April 2021

By Paul Hazlewood
Albion chief executive and deputy chairman Paul Barber.

Albion chief executive and deputy chairman Paul Barber discussed recent results and the return of supporters in his Everton programme notes.

You can still purchase a hard copy of the programme by clicking here.

Paul Barber

A warm welcome to the American Express Community Stadium to the players, staff and directors of Everton Football Club.

We enjoy an excellent relationship with chairman Bill Kenwright, with Denise Barrett-Baxendale, the club’s chief executive, and with various members of Everton’s staff, so it will be good to see them back here on the south coast for this evening’s Premier League fixture, and our first match here since our 3-0 victory over Newcastle United, just ahead of the international break. 

02:00

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PL Highlights: Albion 0 Everton 0

Under Carlo Ancelotti’s very experienced leadership, Everton are enjoying an excellent season, playing some exciting football, and remain well in contention for a place in one of next season’s European competitions. It was back in early October we last met an Everton side that had started the new season with three straight Premier League victories. After leading 2-1 at the break, the Toffees went on to make it four on the spin with a 4-2 win to go top of the table.

The recent international break came hot on the heels of successive Premier League victories against clubs in and around us. The convincing home win against Newcastle was preceded by an excellent 2-1 victory at St Mary’s against a Southampton side who, having started the season very well, have struggled for form in the second half of the campaign. Goals from captain Lewis Dunk and Leandro Trossard secured three important points and provided an excellent foundation for Newcastle’s visit. 

A week ago, Everton drew 1-1 at home to Crystal Palace, just 24 hours after we had again been narrowly beaten by Manchester United, this time at Old Trafford. We know we will face another tough test tonight but we can certainly take heart and confidence from another impressive team display last time out, which saw us take an early lead through Danny Welbeck, only to be pegged back with two second-half goals from United – and the denial of a late penalty claim which may have helped secure a point.

We now enter the final quarter of the season with just three home games to play after tonight, and four fixtures on the road. In the final two of those matches – at home to Manchester City and away at Arsenal – we hope, all being well, to see the return of some supporters. We aim to welcome around 7,500 fans back to the Amex for City’s visit, while the larger Emirates capacity could see as many as 10,000 fans back for our final match of another eventful and COVID-challenged season.

01:25

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Dunk's Everton reaction

These games, combined with numerous other domestic and international test events in major stadia, are designed to help the Government determine whether our country’s vaccination and testing programmes are robust enough to allow us to return to full capacities with the minimum of restrictions at the start of next season. For that to happen, numerous tests and markers must be met over the next few months. From everything we are hearing, the roadmap remains on course.

It has, however, also been well trailed that the return of fans, particularly for full capacities, is very likely to involve some changes to the normal matchday routines we all enjoyed up until February 2020. So, a combination of a completed medical questionnaire, an earlier stadium arrival, a digital ticket, photo ID, a vaccination passport or proof of a recent negative test result, and the continued use of face coverings in indoor areas may all become part of a new matchday routine from August.

We still await exact Government and Premier League guidance on what stadium entry will look like for any fans attending matches next month, and in particular for the start of next season when we hope to welcome back far greater numbers, but, as you will have seen with our new season-ticket packages, we are busy preparing for all eventualities to ensure access to, from and within the stadium is as smooth as possible, while doing our best to keep fans and staff as safe as possible.

It seems very likely that some of the measures we may be asked to follow will slow up entry to the stadium, and place additional responsibilities on those attending matches, but many aspects of our lives have changed in the past year. We have become used to doing things differently and being more patient – whether it’s food shopping, paying for fuel, or stopping off to buy a coffee, so we should all expect that attending a football match will involve some change too.

02:41

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Potter's Everton verdict

We have been delighted by the reaction of fans to the changes we have made to our season-ticket packages. The options available to enable fans to allow family and friends to use their season-tickets when they can’t has been particularly well received, as has the decision to freeze prices and to delay the start of payments for the new season while using up existing credit balances. We recognise these are challenging times for many people, and we will continue to help where we can.

We’ve been similarly encouraged by the renewal numbers for our new 1901 Club packages, as well as for season-tickets in general admission areas. The feedback on the extensive multimillion-pound refurbishment programme for our various lounges in all areas of the stadium has certainly captured the imagination of many existing 1901 Club members who have already shown great loyalty to the football club with early commitment to the new five-year term. 

It’s certainly the business end of the season, on and off the pitch, and your support for the club continues to be unwavering. It’s been a very difficult and, at times, harrowing 12 months for everyone but there does now seem to be some genuine light at the end of the tunnel. 

On and off the pitch, we’re ready to make the final push towards a positive end to the current season and, we hope, to a more normal life. Thanks again for all the encouragement we continue to receive. It means a lot. 

Enjoy the match.