Everton fans are demanding answers for an ‘absolutely appalling’ situation outside Goodison Park last night, with a ‘very scary crush’ at turnstiles leaving kids in tears.  

Ahead of Everton’s Carabao Cup clash with Burnley on Wednesday night fans found themselves bottlenecked at turnstiles, with reports that digital tickets for season ticket holders were not scanning. 

Huge crowds began to form along Bullens Road, Goodison Road and on Gwladys Street at kick-off, with many missing the start of the match, which Everton went on to win 3-0. 

Fans reported not being able to move in either direction because of the large-scale crowds, with Everton Fans’ Forum seeking ‘urgent answers’ from the club on what went wrong.

One fan, Brian, who had his 14-year-old  daughter in attendance with him, posted: ‘Absolutely appalling show that last night . Goodison Road became a very scary place last night and no one seemed to care. 

Fans sought help to ease the problem, with tickets not scanning at the Goodison turnstiles

It meant that there were empty seats before and at kick-off as fans were left stuck outside

‘Just kick off on time and no cares at all about the fans well being. We definitely weren’t the people’s club last night.’

Another fan, Mark, wrote: ‘Disgraceful that tonight. We were in the crush, some fella screaming he was disabled and couldn’t cope in the crowds. 

‘We ended up when we got to the Winslow going down onto County Road then back up. 

‘We were still in 15mins late after arriving at the ground 40mins before kick off.’

Everton Fans’ Forum posted on X: ‘We have been made aware about, indeed many of us were caught up in, chaotic scenes in gaining access to Goodison Park last night. This has been raised with the club and urgent answers as to the cause of this chaos have been sought.’ 

Many posted stories of how they sought help from police and stewards but were given little support or guidance on how to safely resolve the long queues and crushes outside, which saw some queuing for up to an hour. 

Mail Sport has contacted Everton for comment. 

Fans took to social media to condemn the ‘appalling’ situation which left ‘kids crying’

Everton would go on to win the cup tie 3-0 but many left frustrated at events beforehand

One fan who attended the game told Mail Sport that stewards were ‘visibly stressed’ as they looked to work out how to control the crowd.

The issue surrounded tickets, with many season ticket holders finding their digital cards, as well as the physical card, were scanning red at the turnstile and they were told they needed to go to the box-office to have a physical ticket printed. 

With thousands finding tickets were not scanning, large queues followed at the box office, where staff there were said to have been ‘amazing’ in trying to help get fans in for kick-off.

Many wanted to see kick-off delayed but instead they had to miss the opening stages of the game, as well as the pre-match tribute for former club chairman Bill Kenwright. 

More to follow.