Everton Women chief executive Hannah Forshaw has delivered a strong message to Blues supporters ahead of the new WSL season
Everton Women chief executive Hannah Forshaw expressed her pride of playing at Goodison Park on a full-time basis, declaring that she wants to evolve the ground and attract more new fans in “the most significant” season in the club’s history.
Addressing Blues supporters on the eve of the campaign – which starts with a trip across Stanley Park on Sunday – Forshaw, who arrives from The Jockey Club where she was chief operating officer after previously spending over a dozen years at Liverpool FC in a variety of roles, said: “It is with great excitement and anticipation that I write to you for the first time in my role as CEO of Everton Women.
“Sunday marks the start of the most significant WSL season in the history of our club. And what a way to start.
“The short journey to Anfield for a Merseyside derby against Liverpool is a thrilling opening game. We go there with nine exciting additions to Brian Sorensen’s squad, with the most recent signing that of Lioness Ruby Mace for a club-record fee from Leicester City earlier this week.
“Securing the talents of one of the most exciting young players in the English game is a demonstration of the great support and backing that has been provided to the club by our ownership.
“Alongside Ruby, we welcome the signings of international Under-23 stars in the Netherlands’ Rosa van Gool and Spain’s Ornella Vignola and Martina Fernandez, our new Japanese international trio of Rion Ishikawa, Hikaru Kitagawa and Yuka Momiki, Philippines international Maz Pacheco and England international Katie Robinson.
“They are impressive additions to a squad we feel is befitting of this most significant of moments in our club’s history – our first season at our new Goodison Park home.
“The journey we are embarking on is one we cannot take without you. We have incredible respect for the history of Goodison.
“It is more than bricks and mortar. It is a building with a soul that holds so many memories for so many people in our city and across the world.
“We want to respect that history, whilst embracing the opportunity to make it our home – your home. To do that, your support for the team, the feedback I am keen for you to share with us throughout the season and the part you have to play in the future we are building together is something for which I was keen to express my gratitude.
“When we play our first WSL game at The Grand Old Lady against Tottenham on September 14, the new branding inside and outside the stadium, and the banners and flags that fans will display in the stands, will make it clear it is a new era. A new dawn.
“But it isn’t the end of the journey. It is the start.
“In the weeks, months and years ahead we can create something special - something unique. Something befitting of Goodison and Everton’s rich history. But also, something new.
Hannah Forshaw, chief executive of Everton Women
Hannah Forshaw, chief executive of Everton Women
“We want to evolve Goodison - and attract even more new fans to Everton and women’s football. That means shaping experiences and rituals that will become part of Goodison’s new-look matchdays.
“We have bold ambitions for our new home, and for the season ahead both in the WSL and in the cup competitions. That starts at Anfield and Goodison over the next two weeks.
“Thank you for being with us at the start of that journey. And thank you for the future we can build together.”
Season Tickets are currently on sale, with fans able to purchase in the Sir Philip Carter Park Stand, The Enclosure and Howard Kendall Lower Gwladys Street. Adult Season Tickets are priced at £100, with under-18s able to secure their place for £50 (approximately £4 per match).
Supporters seated in The Enclosure will also have access to concourses and further facilities in the Park Stand or Gwladys Street respectively. Due to expected demand, additional seating has been made available in both the Park Stand and Gwladys Street.
Tickets for both fixtures (Spurs and London City Lionesses) are priced at £12 for adults and £6 for under-18s and available by clicking here.
A ‘Family of Four’ package (two adults, two children) is available for £20. Click here to secure your family ticket.
Group bookings of 10 adults can be purchased at a discounted price of £6 per person by clicking here.
Hill Dickinson Stadium Season Ticket Members can claim one ticket for either of the two home fixtures at the reduced price of £5. Season Ticket Members will be required to log in to their ticketing account and the discounted ticket type will be visible in the price list for that game. Supporters will need to make sure each Season Ticket Member they are purchasing for is done under the correct ticket type and assigned to the right Season Ticket Member for the purchase to be successful.
All Season and match tickets can be purchased online, by phone via 0151 556 1878, or in person at the Goodison Park box office. Box office opening times can be found here.
Supporters seeking a premium experience can enjoy matchday hospitality in a newly named lounge, recognising the club’s history and heritage.
The Leasowe Pacific Lounge (formerly the Dixie Dean Suite) is inspired by Everton’s historic roots and gets its new title from the women’s team’s original name. Packages, priced at £70 for adults and £35 for under-18s, include a ‘bottomless brunch’ style experience with all-day grazing available at food and desert stations, complemented by unlimited beverages. Click here to select packages for Goodison Park fixtures between now and mid-December.