Everton fans have voiced major concerns about the travel options for the club's new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium after attending a test event on Monday night.
The Toffees' new £800million, 52,888-seater stadium opened its doors for the first time to host Everton Under-18s' clash with Wigan Under-18s.
Wigan picked up a 2-1 win, but it was matters off the pitch that far greater raised alarm bells for the 10,000 supporters that made their way to Bramley-Moore Dock.
Several fans took to social media to express their worries about getting to the venue via Sandhills train station, with one insisting the current setup was a 'disaster waiting to happen' while slamming the club's 'fanzone'.
'Sandhills is a disaster waiting to happen, you should be ashamed Portaloo city, “fanzone” absolute disgrace,' one fan posted on X.
Another was in agreement, adding: 'If we didn’t know already, we do now. Sandhills absolutely not fit for purpose. Needs a big and quick rethink @LCRMayor,' while one supporter simply stated: 'Observations from tonight. Do not use Sandhills'.
Photos were also shared on X of fans cramming onto the platform at Sandhills, with multiple supporters pointing out that things would only get worse when over 50,000 people attend matches from the start of next season.
One wrote: 'They need to put railings on the platform at Sandhills. Gaps where the train doors go. 10,000 test event had it rammed, dangerous. Never mind 53,000.
'F*** that cycle path off too. A tram, a shuttle bus, anything can fit there. Council have f***** it with the stupid parking permits.'
Another claimed: 'Someone needs to shine a spotlight on the failings of @lpoolcouncil...Transport routes to and from the stadium, street lighting, Sandhills station...Accidents waiting to happen when there are over 50,000 of us and it will be a real stain on all the good work done by @Everton.'
That message was reiterated by another match-goer who posted: 'If that test event taught me anything its that @merseyrail are nowhere near ready for the volume of traffic on matchdays.
'@lpoolcouncil you need to sort it before something bad happens.'
There were also complaints about the food pricing inside the stadium, with a pie costing in excess of £6, while a 'Toffee Doughnut' was valued at £3.50.
'Great stadium. But a mission to sandhills. Could be a tough walk for some, especially in bad weather. Seen older lads struggling at the station. Needs to be some transport to there & town,' one fan said.
'Rip off in the ground for food as well, but probably to be expected. £6.20 for a pie.'
The food did appear to be an upgrade on Goodison, however, as Everton unveiled their new range.
As reported by Mail Sport's Lewis Steele, culinary director Adam Bateman, who has worked at Michelin star restaurants across the world, wants the food to be 'Instagrammable'.
Pictures of the options at the event even attracted the attention of the popular social media account 'Footy Scran', which helpfully provided a comparison to the current menu at Goodison.
On Monday night, fans could help themselves to meals that included salt and pepper chicken tenders, Korean sticky chicken and plant based Korean sticky bowl.
These finer options do, however, come at a heftier cost with the tenders setting fans back £9.50 and the two mains costing £10.50. Desert for the occasion was the decadent 'The Toffee' doughnut, which came in at £3.50.
Two more test events are scheduled over the coming months as Everton look to obtain a licence and safety certificate.
The second event will see 25,000 fans in attendance, while the third and final event will see a near-full capacity.
Should the certificate be obtained, Everton's new state-of-the-art home will open at the start of next season.
