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Everton have been incorrectly accused of fleecing young fans, after a national newspaper report suggested the Blues charged the highest sums in the Premier League for their sought after matchday mascot packages.

The report claimed that Everton charged an "eye-wateringly high" £718 to become a matchday mascot, while many clubs offered the same packages for nothing.

The story even included a picture of young Everton and Liverpool mascots at a derby match with the caption: "Everton and Liverpool mascots - one charged hundreds and the other charged nothing."

The truth, however, is very different.

Everton have two different mascot packages - mascot and Toffee Lady - which are entirely free of charge and for which two places per game are selected at random from season ticket members and members aged between 5-13-years-old.

However, in addition Everton have designated two fixtures this season - the home games against Bournemouth and Wolves - as Everton in the Community mascot packages.

It is these two packages for which the Blues charge £599+VAT, with all of the funds going to the club's official charity to help them continue their fantastic work on Merseyside.

Fans who pay for this package enjoy a coaching session with fully-qualified EitC coaches on the Cruyff Court at The People’s Hub, have an opportunity to have photographs taken pitchside with a handful of Everton stars, before making their way to their own private party room back at The People’s Hub.

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They then return to Goodison Park for their traditional mascot roles.

Everton's fan engagement work has been nominated for a Football Business Award and the Blues are understandably proud of their work in this field.

The Blues made history when they helped 14-year-old Jack McLinden become the first 'remote' mascot courtesy of a ground-breaking robot while last season their ‘My Debut Season’ initiative enabled 309 first-time season ticket holders enjoy a pre-match pitchside experience.

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Twenty-one sick or underprivileged children were given matchday VIP experiences throughout the season, the club delivered 48 season ticket holder/ member mascots and Toffee Lady experiences during the season, 40 children were given the opportunity to be player escorts (pitch walk-on but not the additional mascot benefits) at selected cup games and two USM Finch Farm ‘play on pitch’ training days catered for 384 young Season Ticket holders during the season - all free of charge.