July 8th 2024.
Meet Lester Woodward - the man who has been banned from every football ground in the UK for three years. His crime? Touting tickets for Everton matches.
An investigation by Merseyside Police revealed that the 43-year-old from Baldock, Hertfordshire had illegally sold a staggering 468 tickets for the first 13 Everton matches of the 2023/24 season. As a result, he appeared in court on July 4 and was handed a banning order and a £400 fine. If he violates the conditions of his ban, he could face six months in prison or hefty fines for each offence.
Chief Inspector Iain Wyke of Merseyside Police expressed the reason behind taking such strict action against touts like Woodard - to protect genuine fans who want to support their team by purchasing tickets at face value from authorized sellers. He also shed light on the fact that touts take advantage of the unwavering passion fans have for their club, using it to make a quick profit.
According to Wyke, most touts target visitors to the city who may not be familiar with buying tickets and end up paying exorbitant prices without realizing that they are being ripped off. He warned that the police will continue to crack down on touts, both online and on match days, with the help of supporters and clubs to identify offenders.
The message to football fans is clear - do not buy from ticket touts. It's not only a huge risk with a lot of money, but you also run the risk of being denied entry to the match with no way of getting your money back. Everton has an official resale platform for season ticket members who cannot attend a match at Goodison Park, providing a safe and secure online environment to sell their ticket.
Dave Lewis, Everton's head of security and stadium safety officer, emphasized the importance of only purchasing tickets from official sources. As the demand for tickets will be at an all-time high this season, he urged supporters and visitors to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police.
In conclusion, touting tickets not only exploits the passion of fans but also poses a risk to their hard-earned money. So, let's do our part and only purchase tickets through authorized channels. Remember, you can always report any information to the police or Crimestoppers anonymously if you come across touts at games or online. Let's keep the beautiful game fair and safe for everyone.
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