EVERTON FC’S home league game with Stoke City has been moved back to its original kick-off, after the BNP cancelled a controversial rally through Liverpool city centre.
The Premier League clash at Goodison Park will now be held at 3pm on Saturday, March 14 – the time and date it was scheduled for when the fixtures were set back in June.
But the match was moved back 24 hours – to 3pm on Sunday, March 15 – when the BNP informed police in January of their intention to leaflet the city.
The subsequent fury from fans has now seen the BNP drop their plans to campaign and the game has been moved back.
Chief officers asked for the game to be moved because they will also be policing Huddersfield fans coming through Lime Street travelling to their League One game at Tranmere, and, from mid-afternoon, Liverpool fans returning from their clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Last night, Everton said they would be looking at possible reimbursement for travel and accommodation for those supporters inconvenienced for the second time.
Thousands changed plans when the fixture was moved the first time and now face a struggle to move them back again.
Everton spokesman Ian Ross said: “Since the game was moved from Saturday to Sunday, we have received numerous calls and emails from our supporters disappointed with the decision.
“We do understand their frustrations and when the police indicated they would permit the game to be played on the Saturday, we felt it was wholly appropriate to return the fixture to its original date.
“This is, of course, not without its problems, and there will be some supporters who will be inconvenienced by the changes. We will work with those fans to find suitable solutions and this will include potential reimbursement for travel and accommodation.”
Evrton boss David Moyes has also indicated a preference to move the game back to the Saturday afternoon with the quarter final of the FA Cup and a visit to Portsmouth either side of the Stoke match.
Deputy BNP leader Simon Darby said: “We’ve postponed it as it was inconveniencing Everton and Stoke fans.”
There are currently no plans in place to reschedule the rally, police said.
Alec McFadden, from the Coalition Against Racism and Fascism, said: “We all united to prevent this rally from happening.
“I am really pleased that Merseyside has pulled together to stop this event.”
The prominent anti-racism campaigner, who was recently targeted by far-right extremists and in the past was stabbed outside his own home, added: “We will not accept hate and intolerance on Merseyside or fascists parading through our streets.”
FULL details of the terms and conditions regarding potential reimbursement, go to the club’s official website – www.evertonfc.co.uk
