Everton FC fans rage of UEFA Cup tickets fiasco

Nov 2 2007

FURIOUS Everton fans hit out today after being told they would not be going to the club’s UEFA match next week despite believing they had paid for tickets.

They were expecting to travel on the Blues’ official package trip to Nuremberg. But yesterday they received phone calls from the travel company to inform them that there were no tickets for them.

Everton FC said today the fans had actually only had their details taken to go on a waiting list.

But the fans are adamant they paid for a guaranteed ticket.

Main stand season ticket holder Ken Ballinger paid £1,034 for three tickets and was planning to travel with his two children.

He said: “I went with Everton because I wanted to do everything properly and ensure I got a ticket – even though their deal was very pricey. I could have got it cheaper going with someone else.

“When my confirmation details came through I was delighted and my wife even bought me an Everton shirt to travel in. Then I got the phone call saying the flight was cancelled and I was devastated.

“Everton have messed up repeatedly when it comes to tickets for European games. It’s a disgrace.

“I’ve been a season ticket holder since 1981 and I’m sick of it now.”

Royal Liverpool hospital theatre technician Terry Clarke, 50, from Tuebrook, took a high-interest loan from a credit union to book his deal.

He said: “I’m staggered. It’s not the first time Everton have let us down. My friend booked for all three of us with the club. It cost us £340 each for return flights and a ticket. We were due to fly home straight after the game.”

One rumour circulating was that although 600 tickets were expected to be made available to Everton’s travel agent Leisure Path, only 400 were actually received.

However club spokesman Ian Ross denied this, although refusing to confirm the number of tickets available, and said no money will have been taken from fans’ accounts.

Mr Ross said: “They were put on a waiting list, and although their credit card details were taken, they were told there was no guarantee of a ticket.

“But if they met the criteria, and if tickets were still available, then the money would be debited from their cards on Friday.

“But we sold our entire allocation by Wednesday and unfortunately demand outweighed supply and the truth is we could have sold our allocation six times over.”

Travel Path would not comment and referred inquiries to Everton.