**Following the draw for the Emirates FA Cup Third Round we were delighted to have been handed a trip to Goodison Park to face Premier League side Everton. We saw this as a fantastic opportunity for our wonderful supporters to visit this iconic ground in its final year.**
We were very confident of taking a full allocation of tickets for our ever first visit to Goodison Park and what is the final ever third round tie there. On learning that the tie will take place on Thursday 9th January 2025 we are incredibly disappointed that the needs of our supporters have not been taken into consideration in this decision.
Although we have an appreciation that Liverpool and Everton are unable to play on the same day and with Liverpool also drawn at home it was unlikely the game would take place on Saturday, we feel a better solution could have been found to ensure all our supporters who wish to travel to the game would have been able to do so.
Following confirmation from the FA of the decision to play the fixture on the Thursday, we contacted them to ask for the decision to be reversed based on the following criteria:
1. There are no viable trains from Liverpool to Peterborough scheduled on the evening of the match meaning supporters must travel by car or coach.
2. Supporters will be required to take two days off work to attend this incredibly important fixture and our younger fans will not be able to attend due to school commitments.
3. We have never played a competitive game at Goodison Park and interest in the game is very high.
4. An expected reduced home attendance would reduce the potential revenue for both Peterborough United and Everton.
Peterborough United Chief Executive Dawn Gore said: “Like our supporters, when the draw was made on Monday night, we were all very excited about travelling to Goodison Park. We were inundated with supporters requesting details for ticketing within hours of the draw being concluded.
“To learn that the game has been arranged for a Thursday night is bitterly disappointing. Whilst we understand there are logistical challenges, we do not feel the supporters have been considered in this approach.
“We have made our feelings very clear to the decision-makers at the top of the game and want to assure our supporters that we are just as disappointed as they are about when this game will take place and from a financial standpoint, the Club are set to lose out on revenue that would have been greatly appreciated as a club in Sky Bet League One.”
**Details of ticketing arrangements will be made in due course.**