As one of likely 50,000 Forever Blue+ members, I was able to buy a ticket in Club View for the Roma game. I also attended the 2nd test event and sat in Level 2 of the South Stand (more of this later).

Undoubtedly the Stadium is visually stunning. The execution appears faultless, a triumph for all involved. But for me (being a dog in a manger type) there perhaps could have been a little more forethought (and I’m sure there has been plenty of forethought put into a myriad of aspects elsewhere) into a handful of practicalities that I have observed/experienced.

I arrived at the ground about 1.15, and the Plaza was relatively sparsely populated, busy all the same. I had a bit of a walk around, took in the breathtaking views of the Councillor Ron Round Commemorative Double Decker Bike Shed, then went and found the stone with my Mums name on it, which was a bit emotional. Disappointed that the Western Terrace was closed off. I can’t think that this will persist. Had a walk down the tunnel and turned back because of the crowds (I’d seen it all at TE 2 anyway) and decided to go and get a beer in the Plaza. Which was pretty full when I got back there, looked at the queues and decided to get in the ground.

Mention has been made of the Portaloo toilets (off which there were many) in the Plaza. Why wasn’t provision made to have decent quality toilets that are accessible from the plaza, but with no access to the Stadium, within the footprint of the Stadium? How is the Club hoping to have events in the Plaza for many thousands when there are no facilities? I saw queues (and queueing was a big feature everywhere on Saturday) at least 20 people long an hour before KO. It’s frankly demeaning to expect fans put up with that.

Perhaps it’s a role for the Hydraulic Tower. Or simply build a toilet block somewhere in the Plaza.

Food outlets in the Plaza were overwhelmed. Queues everywhere, many, many deep, and for Programmes also. Clearly there needs to be more outlets for now, and then perhaps whittle them down when the clamour, and weather, subsides latter in the season.

Got into the ground with no issues and climbed the stairs (wondering if I’d been magically teleported to Newcastle as the altitude increased). I was told when I got to the “wide bit” in the Club View that the self-serve beer things weren’t working (which brought back memories of The Chang Express Line in the Park End, I think there may still be people in it waiting to be served). I went for a drink and something to eat. Queues weren’t massive, maybe a 12/15 people long in the centre of the servery, where I chose, longer at the ends. It took me twenty minuets to get served. Cost was £15 something for my Chicken Burger and Bud Zero…..did anyone expect it to be cheap? When I turned around, the space between the servery was completely solid with people, jammed solid, from end to end. Eventually I got back into the area at the side of the servery, and the next problem was how to eat my food served in a tray and hold my beer at the same time. Fortunately a space on a shelf on a pillar came free just then, so I was ok. It was a juggling act for people not so fortunate. One thing that struck me here was why no-one was going around clearing away the left food trays/glasses/bottles etc which were beginning to accumulate on all the horizontal surfaces. And why not more surfaces that you can use? I put my stuff in one of the three already nearly overflowing wheelie bins provided. Naturally. 😊

The thing is about this, that at TE 2, exactly the same problems developed in the ends of Level 2 of the South Stand at half time. Because the queues are allowed to form perpendicular to the servery, the whole area is filled with people standing in queues, preventing circulation to other parts of the concourse. Shirley it’s not difficult to devise some sort of system akin to going through airport security, a common zig-zag barriered thing where you queue in one common queue, before being directed to a serving point when getting close to being served, and with a keep clear zone a yard or so back from the serving point so people can exit quickly and safely left or right, and preventing a somewhat chaotic scramble and choking one of the features the stadium boasts, circulation, being available?

My seat was near on bang on the half way line. Row 51 Seat 154. Stunning view. Perfect really. Worth £1200 a season? In a heartbeat. If this is your seat, well done.



In contrast, for the 2nd TE we sat on the end of a row about 8 rows from the back, a row which was part of the main South Stand, not one of the corner bits as it were. I was one seat in from the end, the very was seat next to me was unoccupied, and just as well, because the handrail thing slants across those seats at an acute angle. You don’t want one of those seats, believe me. In addition, if I looked directly ahead of me, I was directly in line with the front row of the Lazy Boy seats, which doesn’t sound a problem, until you spend 90 minutes with you head turned 45 degrees to see the match. Chiropractors will be rubbing their hands.

Finally to the toilets. Lovely. But can someone at EFC make sure the hand towel dispensers are frequently topped up? All were empty at HT. Just like in the 2nd TE. There are no air dryers to dry your hands btw.

So that’s my experience, admittedly labouring a few shortcomings, but these are mearly wrinkles that can be easily sorted out I would have thought. So come on Everton. Step up and get it done.

That aside. WOW!