First club of the city to return to Liverpool city centre, shop to highlight Everton Firsts.

EVERTON RETURNS TO THE CITY CENTRE

Following the announcement of Everton Football Club’s new retail deal with Kitbag Limited, it has been confirmed that that the Club is to have a presence in the City Centre once again.

The new 6,000 sq ft store will be in the Liverpool One development and will open during the first weekend of July this year. Everton has brought in The Maxim Creative Group Limited, a specialised design and fit out company, to design the new look store - and visuals have been officially released for the first time today. Maxim lists the Co-op, News International and AOL as some of its main clients.

All of the store furniture in the City Centre outlet is bespoke and has been uniquely created for Everton, giving the store a very contemporary and iconic feel. Kitbag aims to create real ‘Retail Theatre’ in the new store, through the use of stunning visuals from Everton's history - and in that respect the company has turned to the Everton Collection Charitable Trust for assistance. The store will contain unique display items from the Everton Collection and these will be changed periodically – making for an emotional and educating retail experience every time. Everton will be the only football club in the UK to decorate its store in this way - no other UK club has the capability to do this, due to the sheer size of the artefacts in the Everton Collection. In addition to the artefacts, the interior will continue the emotive and proud theme on the mezzanine - pride of place on this level will be a large display highlighting the long list of Everton's ‘Firsts’ - exemplifying the club's innovative history.



Robert Elstone, Chief Executive of Everton commented; “We are delighted to announce to our supporters the imminent and much anticipated arrival of a City Centre retail outlet. These exclusive store images clearly show how stylish the new unit will be and demonstrate our commitment to a rewarding visit – as well as providing the most efficient retail offering possible. The City Centre store will also be a truly emotional experience for fans, thanks to our football club’s amazing heritage.”

Chris Bailes has been appointed as retail operations manager to assist the company to launch and operate the new Everton store. Chris has a great deal of sports retail experience and in fact was the first store manager of Liverpool FC's retail store at Liverpool One.

Commenting on his new role Chris said; “When I was approached to take up the post and witnessed the plans for Everton Retail I jumped at the chance. The new store in the City Centre will be another Everton ‘First’; it is very modern and totally unique. Customer service and satisfaction will be at the heart of our operation and I know Evertonians and football fans alike will be proud of this fantastic store. Together with Kitbag's renowned online expertise, customers will benefit from our exceptional order and delivery capability. For example, if a customer making purchases at our new store wants to send a shirt to a relative in Australia, an Everton scarf to a friend in California and take home an Everton track suit we can achieve all of that at the point of sale."



In addition, the store will offer a click and collect service – by simply going online, fans can purchase products for collection in-store the very next day. This innovation is unique to Everton Football Club – no other football clubs currently offer this service.

Working with Chris will be Simon Gibson who has been appointed the manager of the Everton City Centre store. Simon has a great deal of retail experience and was previously with both USC and Littlewoods. As an Evertonian this is his dream job.

The new store will create 25 full and part time jobs. For information on how to apply for a position at the new Everton store, please visit www.evertonfc.com/careers or the Job Section on the Liverpool One website at www.liverpool-one.com. Kitbag commences training its new staff on 1 June at Goodison Park.

Issued on behalf of Everton Football Club by Mere PR


For further information, please contact Tony Tighe/Ruth Wilson/
Suzie Myers on 0161 929 8700 or email suzie@mere.co.uk

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Note to Editor

Kitbag Limited is Europe’s Leading Online Sports Retailer.
Kitbag.com is an online retail brand in its own right providing a broad range of branded sports products available to the online consumer on a global basis.
Kitbag Limited provides many leading sports business’ both in the UK & Europe with a complete online e-commerce solution on a global basis including Manchester United, Barcelona, Real Madrid and now Everton.

The company’s vast experience in sports retail online will see the introduction of one of the most innovative football shopping web platforms in existence for Everton. This capital investment into the Everton Retail Business is the single largest club partner investment in the history of the company. Kitbag Limited will operate under a bespoke Everton retail brand and will be directly responsible for high street shopping, mail order and the Club’s online store.

For further information about Kitbag Limited please contact: media@kitbag.com

Jagielka out for the season

Centre-half Phil Jagielka has been sidelined for the rest of the season.

Moyes was quoted earlier in the day as saying that, after Jagielka had been stretchered off during the home defeat to Manchester City, the defender's season looked, "...doubtful rather than hopeful." Everton physio Mick Rathbone later confirmed the worst, revealing that the defender would in fact be ruled out for the rest of the season.

"The scan has unfortunately confirmed what we already feared and that is that Phil will be out for the rest of the season," Rathbone told Everton's official website.

"He has ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament and will undergo surgery in around 10 days' time when the swelling has gone down.

"It's too early to estimate a return to action for the player."

The injury is almost identical to the one that versatile play-maker Mikel Arteta suffered earlier in the season. And with Yakubu and Victor Anichebe's absences only being temporarily filled in by on-loan striker Jo, the lack of depth in Moyes' squad is really starting to become a cause for concern.

The biggest blow, however, comes to Jagielka himself, who will miss the FA Cup final - bearing in mind that it was his winning penalty against Man United in the semi that got us to Wembley for the final.

Everton - European football guaranteed

Everton were yesterday guaranteed European football for the 09/10 season.

Reported on the official site last night:

Our run to the FA Cup final and excellent position in the League had made a place in the 2009/10 Europa League a probability. But despite losing to Manchester City on Saturday, that qualification has now been assured.

Chelsea beat West Ham 1-0 and secured a Champions League place. As a result, the Toffees will qualify for the Europa League through the FA Cup - regardless of whether they defeat Chelsea in the final.

The Europa League replaces the Uefa Cup and adopts a format that mirrors the Champions League.

The Blues will now have to overcome a play-off round tie before entering a new format group stage.

The new-look league will have 48 clubs in 12 groups of four, with teams playing each other home and away as opposed to just once as it stands now.

The top two in each group then join the eight third-placed Champions League clubs in a 32-club knock-out stage.

The competition will also have its TV rights sold centrally, in the same way as the Champions League. This switch should increase income to clubs.

Everton reach the FA Cup final

Tim Howard saves - the mood swung dramatically thereafter...

More to follow, but for now here's one of my pics. from yesterday. I'm still recovering [physically and mentally]!

Moyes interview on Sky, some Liverpool - related and other funnies

Some quotes from Moyes, "Goals on Sunday," on Sky today. The man is a legend:

Redknapp previewing Shite's game against Villa says: the "city's" buzzing. Moyesy's answer: "...must be 'cause Everton are doing so well - he should have said Norway, Finland and Sweden were buzzing!"

Kammy: "Did you have a plan against Delap's throw ins?"
Moyes: "Yeah, to head it out."

Another interesting thing was what a fan had sent to Moyes. Apparently, on pounds spent, per point won, over his 7 years, we have won the league 4 times [out of 7 since he's been here].

Moyes also said Big Dunc's goal against Villareal was legitimate and he wondered if funny things were going on that night, with [the shaved-bollock lookalike] Collina retiring after that match.

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And finally, talking of quotes, now is as good a time as ever to remind you of the Dixie Dean classic:

"There was nothing like quietening that Kop. When you stuck a goal in there it all went quiet, apart from a bit of choice language aimed in your direction! Scoring there was a delight to me. I just used to turn round to the crowd and bow three times to them."

Everton Wembley tickets - more news

SEMI ON SALE FROM NEXT MONDAY 23rd MARCH

Tickets for next month’s FA Cup semi-final with Manchester United at Wembley Stadium will go on sale on Monday, March 23, 2009 at 8am.

Blues officials have now agreed on how to allocate the 31,825 tickets made available by the Football Association and can confirm that all areas of the Everton fanbase will receive an allocation.

Priority will be given to the most loyal fans and that means every Season Ticket holder and Executive member will be given the opportunity to purchase a ticket for the Blues’ first FA Cup semi-final appearance in 14 years.

Tickets are priced at:
· £24.50
· £34.30
· £44.00
· £53.80

The FA offers a £10 reduction for supporters under 16 and over 65 years of age (please note that with any concessionary ticket purchased proof of age will be required on entry into the stadium).

The stadium layout and pricing grid can be viewed by clicking here.

Club officials have agreed to release the ticket allocation based on match attendance history and first opportunity to buy the semi-final tickets, next Monday, will go to any Season Ticket holder who has attended 13 or more Home or Away Cup and Away Premier League games in the current season.

Tickets will also be on sale from next Monday to any Executive member who does not wish to buy an Executive package*.

Thereafter remaining tickets will be available to Season Ticket holders and Executive members as follows:-

Monday 23/03/2009 Season Ticket holders with 13+ and AutoCup and Executive members
Tuesday 24/03/2009 Season Ticket holders with 8+ and Executive members
Wednesday 25/03/2009 Season Ticket holders with 6+ and Executive members
Thursday 26/03/2009 Season Ticket holders with 5+ and Executive members
Friday 27/03/2009 Season Ticket holders with 4+ and Executive members
Saturday 28/03/2009 Season Ticket holders with 4+ and Executive members
Monday 30/03/2009 Season Ticket holders with 3+ and Executive members
Tuesday 31/03/2009 Season Ticket holders with 3+ and Executive members
Wednesday 01/04/2009 Season Ticket holders with 2+ and Executive members
Thursday 02/04/2009 Season Ticket holders with 2+ and Executive members
Friday 03/04/2009 Season Ticket holders with 1+ and Executive members
Saturday 04/04/2009 Season Ticket holders with 1+ and Executive members
Sunday 05/04/2009 Season Ticket holders and Executive members

Officials expect a small number of semi-final tickets to be available after the allocation to Season Ticket holders and Executive members. These Wembley tickets will go on sale to supporters with a purchase history for home games from any of this season’s fixtures. Details of priorities and dates will be published no later than Monday, April 6.

SUPPORTERS ARE REQUESTED NOT TO CONTACT THE CLUB UNTIL YOUR ALLOCATED PRIORITY PERIOD, AS TICKETS WILL ONLY BE PROCESSED TO THESE GROUPS AT THE TIMES SPECIFIED.

Shareholders

Any Shareholder requiring a ticket should apply to Lee Newman at the Fan Centre. Shareholders who hold a season ticket or Executive membership can purchase a ticket during the sales priority period outlined above or alternatively apply to Lee. Shareholders should note that they will only be entitled to one ticket whether purchased as a Season Ticket holder, Executive member or Shareholder.

Supporters’ Clubs

Supporters’ Clubs Secretaries should submit their applications by Friday March, 20, 2009. Applications received after this time can not be accepted. Season Ticket holders who normally purchase their home cup and away match tickets via their supporters’ clubs should submit their request with the Supporters club applications, giving name and customer number, and the staff at the Fan Centre will endeavour to allocate tickets together.

* Executive packages

Details of Executive packages for the FA Cup semi-final will be announced later this week, and any Executive members or Season Ticket holder wishing to purchase a package should contact the corporate sales team on 0151 530 5300 or email corporatesales@evertonfc.com

Postal information

Please note, all tickets posted will be sent via Royal Mail’s Special Delivery service and will therefore be subject to a postal fee of £4.95. Any supporters wishing to collect their ticket from Goodison must bring the payment card used to purchase this order and proof of identification before any tickets will be released.

Tickets can be purchased by visiting the Park End Box Office during normal opening hours or by calling 0871 663 1878**

**Booking fees apply

Everton Season Tickets for 09/10 on sale NOW

Season ticket sales for the next campaign begin today: see the official site here.

Moyes wants to restore Everton to glory and team news [v Stoke]

David Moyes celebrates his seventh anniversary as Everton manager this weekend and has spoken of his hope of restoring Everton's glory days.

Last Sunday's victory over Middlesbrough in the FA Cup – the last major honour we won, in 1995 – set up the Wembley semi-final with Manchester United. We are also currently in a promising sixth place in the League, obviously being hopeful of making a late push to challenge for a Champions League place.

Moyes is not the kind of person that settles for second best and certainly not sixth best [bearing in mind we're currently sixth].

"I have got to hope we can get it right back where it has been in the past," said Moyes, who signed a new five-year contract in October.

"I don't know if that is possible because finances play such a part in the game. If this was going back in years gone by and the money was equal I would see Everton as one of the top clubs. The difference why Everton are not one of the top clubs at this moment in time is more to do with finance than the team or the manager."

Absolutely spot-on.

Moyes continued,

"The other clubs have a greater chance to improve their squad by buying bigger players from all over the world. Everyone has made a point about how well the club is doing. It is nice in March but it would be better for me if they were still saying the same things in May."

Despite reaching the last four of the FA Cup, Moyes insists the league will always remain the priority, especially as a top-four finish provides a route into the lucrative Champions League.

That is why the manager will only allow his players to look at their next match, which sees struggling Stoke visit Goodison today.

Moyes added,

"I'm really excited by beating Middlesbrough and getting into the semi-final, but in my head we still have a chance of targeting fourth, so I'm not going to turn off and rely on that one game [against Man U] because if it didn't go right then all these [league] games would be wasted. The players know the focus is on Stoke and winning the games which come before the semi-final. It is a big credit to the players the way they have picked themselves up and got back into form having been knocked out of two cup competitions [Carling and Uefa] in the first month of the season. They have shown an unbelievable spirit to keep going and we have an outside chance of getting fourth and being in the final of the FA Cup and winning it, so it is a good time at the moment. Let's hope we can keep it going as long as we can."

The visit of Stoke means a return to Goodison for Beattie, who moved from Sheffield United in January, having left Everton in August '07. Beattie has scored five goals in seven matches for Stoke.


The derby-cross-to-Gosling-provider Van der Meyde is Everton's only new injury worry ahead of Stoke's visit [hamstring]. Hibbert misses his second successive match with a thigh problem.

FA Cup hero "King" Louis Saha is poised to progress in his return to full fitness at Everton by making his first start in more than three months.

Moyes has hinted the French striker will begin up front for the visit of struggling Stoke City this afternoon.

Saha has not started a game since the 1-0 defeat at Wigan Athletic on November 24, six days before injuring his hamstring in the win at Spurs.

The problem sidelined the 30-year-old for eight weeks, after which he has been restricted to appearances from the bench.

Saha came off the bench to score in the 2-0 home win over West Bromwich Albion a fortnight ago, and was then introduced at half-time during last Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final against Middlesbrough and within 11 minutes had scored the winner.

Moyes said,

“The time has come for Louis to go back in from the start. He has shown he is ready now, and it is just a question of juggling the side to see how we will balance it.
“I think we have to keep an eye on his overall injuries and make sure we get the best of him. He's doing a great job for us now.

Saha is most likely to be partnered up front by Jo, who was cup-tied for last week’s Cup win over Middlesbrough that has set up a Wembley semi-final against Manchester United next month.

Finally, I noted in the pre-match build up on the official site, that this Saturday marks David Moyes' seventh anniversary of being appointed Everton manager. His record since joining the club in all competitions is P318 W134 D75 L109.

Today's info. is drawn from The Daily Post and The Independent.

Everton Wembley tickets: 31,825 is a paltry number.

From the official site

Everton have received details of their ticket allocation for the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on 19 April.

Club officials were at Wembley today and were informed that we have been awarded an allocation of 31,825 seats.

Discussions will now take place this weekend about how to allocate these tickets among Everton supporters. The Club hope to make an announcement regarding ticket details early next week.

This quantity is paltry bearing in mind the capacity is 90,000.

This means we get a measly 35% of the tickets, or putting it another way, IF Man U get the same allocation as we do, that means that a whopping 26,350 [or 30%] will go to "neutrals."

26,350 is an appallingly high number. It does seem that the fans are not being given an even break.

Everton FC reveal details of tickets for FA Cup Semi-final v Manchester United

From evertonfc.com:

Everton's FA Cup Semi-Final against Manchester United will take place on Sunday 19 April at Wembley Stadium, kick off 4pm.

Everton and FA officials met to finalise arrangements for the match earlier this week, and Everton can now confirm the tie will take place on this date, and will be screened live on ITV1.

The clash will be the second of the two semi-finals, with the match between Chelsea and either Arsenal or Hull City taking place on Saturday, 18 April at 5.15pm, which will bwe screened live on Setanta.

Everton booked their place in the last four with wins over Macclesfield Town, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough respectively.

Ticket prices for the semi finals have also been confirmed, and will be available for £24.50, £34.30, £44 and £53.80.

Details of Everton's ticket allocation and on-sale dates will be revealed on evertonfc.com once arrangements have been confirmed.