Cathay Clarke, from Liverpool, 'couldn't believe it' when she travelled to watch her club's match at the new Hill Dickinson stadium 'didn't exist' and was actually just a bit of metal railing
22:49, 29 Aug 2025
metal
There was no seat, just metal railing(Image: Facebook)
A lifelong Everton fan discovered – to her disbelief – that her seat at the club’s new Hill Dickinson stadium “didn’t exist”.
Cathay Clarke, from Liverpool, attended Everton’s first home game on Sunday, only to discover a metal railing in the space where her seat should have been.
Cathay, who has had a season-ticket for 30 years, said: "At first I thought maybe it was on the other side of the stairs, but that was the start of a new block. Then I realised that the seat just doesn't exist." According to the BBC, an Everton FC representative said that while the club could not comment on individual cases, it was in talks with Cathy to find a solution.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: Fans queue outside the stadium due to a ticketing issue prior to the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Everton and Mansfield Town at Hill Dickinson Stadium on August 27, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
Everton fans outside the new Hull Dickinson Stadium(Image: Getty Images)
An Everton FC representative said that while the club did not comment on individual cases, it was liaising with Cathay to find a resolution.
Cathay explained: "We took time to pick the seats because we wanted to be the four of us together and have a seat at the end of a row because I've got a dodgy knee. We spent ages looking at the virtual view and picking them."
She said the whole experience of the missing seat had been "horrible".
Cathay added: "It looks to me like they couldn't fit it in because of the way the stairs come down on an angle. But they should've known that – they've sold me a season ticket for a seat that doesn't exist!"
The home side Leeds were forced to rely on a penalty from new signing Lukas Nmecha, but earned all three points with their performance across the 90 minutes. Any Everton fan will certainly claim the spot-kick was awarded in questionable circumstances.
Article continues below
David Moyes remonstrated with the officials at full-time, but it was too little too late to halt the jubilation in the visiting section to the sound of 'I Predict a Riot'. Anton Stach's effort was handled by James Tarkowski's arm, despite his attempts to keep it pinned behind his back.
Referee Chris Kavanagh pointed to the spot before VAR thoroughly examined his decision. To the delight of Leeds' vocal travelling support, the verdict remained and Nmecha slotted home the ideal penalty from the spot.
As Leeds returned to England's elite division, it was precisely what everyone expected at Goodison Park. A raucous atmosphere fuelled a relentless and organised press from the away side, preventing Everton from gaining any significant grip on proceedings,