Everton supporters' concerns about matchday transport to the Hill Dickinson Stadium have driven a joint meeting with city leaders and rail operators. The club's Fan Advisory Board presented research showing 73% of surveyed fans use rail to reach the ground, with many reporting poor experiences after games.
Mayor Steve Rotheram convened the session after the board raised public concerns, particularly around Sandhills station. He was joined by council leaders and senior figures from Merseyrail and the club itself. Board secretary Rob Galkoff detailed findings from 656 responses, which grouped problems into capacity, safety and communication.
The research showed 57% of respondents use train travel as part of their journey. Feedback indicated trips taking about 60 minutes to the stadium but 90 minutes to get home afterwards. Typical waits at Sandhills were 18 to 20 minutes, with around half of those surveyed rating their experience there as poor. Approximately 30% said they had felt vulnerable or unsafe on a matchday.
Galkoff said: "The research highlighted a number of recurring concerns around the post-match experience, including queues and rail capacity, crowd management, accessibility, perceptions of safety, the lack of shelter and toilet facilities, and the availability of clear real-time travel information."
Measures talked about included better real-time information during disruptions, clearer signage to other transport options, and more effective use of digital screens and staff direction. The meeting also reviewed a specific incident after Everton's Carabao Cup tie with Wolves, where a train failure caused significant disruption. The current queuing system at Sandhills, designed to prevent platform overcrowding, typically clears within 45 to 60 minutes after a match.
Mayor Rotheram committed to continued collective work. "Underlined the shared objective among all parties of making the transport operation work as effectively as possible for Evertonians and other visitors to Hill Dickinson Stadium," he said. Further work will explore potential matchday bus services and sharing operational data. The board plans to repeat its survey within a year to measure any improvements.
The focus on fan experience comes as the team enjoys a solid start to the season. Everton sit seventh in the Premier League with nine points from five games, unbeaten with two wins and three draws. Their recent fixtures show a two-game winning run, including a 1-0 victory over Ipswich last Friday. The next challenge is a trip to face Hull City, who are one place below them in eighth, on 11 October. The club and its partners aim to ensure travel to the stadium improves as it moves deeper into its second season of operation, with the Combined Authority targeting a step-free rail network by 2030.
This story first appeared at Everton FC
