Simon Williams previously contacted the ECHO to thank Everton FC staff
Simon Williams outside Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday
Simon Williams outside Hill Dickinson Stadium(Image: Simon Williams)
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An Everton fan who was scammed out of £278 after he travelled from Exeter to Liverpool earlier this month has been refunded the money. Lifelong Everton FC fan Simon Williams, 48, who lives in Exeter, travelled 251 miles to Liverpool on Friday, November 7 with two friends to visit family, who live in Widnes, and watch the club's match against Fulham.
On Saturday, November 8, Simon, a forklift driver, said he thought he'd "go out on a whim" and try and buy tickets from the box office at the stadium. The three friends had walked from the Adelphi hotel in Liverpool city centre, where they'd been staying, to Hill Dickinson stadium. They were told there was no tickets left.
Simon, who'd planned to go to the match with his friend Susie, previously told the ECHO: "We thought we'd be able to get tickets at Bramley-Moore. After we were told they were sold out we went to The Terrace bar at the ground and tried to find resale tickets online.
"I went onto a website and purchased two tickets for £278. Lots of emails came through from the website but no QR code.
"We [Simon and Susie] went back over to the ground and asked for help from a steward. We were told that the site was not an official website."
Disappointed and "looking a bit lost," Simon and Susie walked back towards The Terrace, where her husband was waiting for them.
Simon Williams with his friend Susie
Simon Williams with his friend Susie(Image: Simon William)
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As they walked through the ground a member of Everton staff asked if they were ok. Simon said: "She was called Sheila and she was with someone called Paul. I explained to her what happened.
"I apologised for the trouble and told her I was going back to the Terrace to watch the match from there. As we were walking back all I heard was Everton fans cheering from inside the stadium."
Just after half time, Sheila and another member of staff, Ricky, came into The Terrace where the friends were "having a pint" and watching the match.
Simon told the ECHO how Sheila said she'd got them two seats and to follow her into the stadium. He said: "I joked and asked if they would be half price because it was after half time but she said no, they are free hospitality seats and marched us from the pub into the seats. It was amazing, she even gave us a gift bag with all sorts in it."
The 48-year-old said he was "made up" with the kindness and contacted the ECHO to thank the members of staff who helped them.
He previously said: "We don't get to come up often and for someone to do this, well I just think they deserve some recognition. It was so lovely, I couldn't tell you the amount of times we thanked them."
He reached out to the ECHO to confirm he has been refunded £278 by Lloyds Bank. He said: "I'm pleased to say I have got my money back after I was scammed. And, I'm so thankful I got to see our beloved Everton football club.
"Lloyds Bank have given me a full refund. I just want to remind other fans to use official sites only so this doesn't happen to anyone else."
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