Everton fan relieved as 'missing seat' issue fixed

Cathy Clarke was shocked to find a metal railing where her new season-ticket seat should have been

A lifelong Everton fan who found her allocated season ticket seat at the club's new Hill Dickinson stadium did not exist said the Toffees had "redeemed themselves" after resolving the issue.

Cathy Clarke, from Liverpool, had previously described her shock when she attended Everton's first home Premier League game of the season, only to discover a metal panel and railing in the space where her seat should have been.

A week after she raised the issue online, Everton contacted Cathy to offer her and her family a private tour of the stadium and select four new seats next to each other.

"They've sorted it out and we have seats together - that's all we wanted," she said. "We are really pleased."

'Metal railing'

Cathy, a season ticket-holder of 30 years, said she had been looking forward to seeing Everton's first competitive match at their new stadium ever since her family had snapped up their season tickets earlier this year.

It should have been the first time that she, her husband, son and nephew had been able to sit together because it had never been possible at the club's former Goodison Park home.

But when she located the space where her seat should have been in the new stadium, there was only a metal railing - and no seat.

In the following week, Cathy said she repeatedly tried to raise the issue with the club, but was unable to reach anyone who might be able to help.

'Amicable resolution'

But after sharing her plight online, the club got in touch.

"We just wanted someone to listen to us, and Everton accepted the issue and a lack of communication," Cathy said.

"They had to scour the ground - and they were able to give us a few options, and I appreciate the time they took doing that.

"We have comparable seats in a different part of the ground.

"We are really happy with what we've got now, so we are over the moon!

"They have redeemed themselves in our eyes. We are very happy with the outcome and I'm looking forward to sitting in my seat for the Aston Villa game."