Everton’s Blue Condiment Choice at New Stadium Sparks Social Media Buzz
Everton Football Club has generated considerable amusement among football fans after a perceived lighthearted jest directed at local rivals, Liverpool, involving an unconventional food offering at their stadium test event. Ahead of the anticipated relocation to the new £800 million Everton Stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock in Vauxhall, the club hosted 25,000 supporters for a trial run on Sunday. The event featured Everton‘s under-21s against Bolton Wanderers’ B team, with the Toffees leading 1-0 before a planned evacuation after 65 minutes, a necessary step for securing a safety license for the 52,888-capacity venue.
Stadium Test Event at Bramley-Moore Dock
The test event at the Bramley-Moore Dock stadium provided fans with a preview of the matchday experience. Spectators witnessed 65 minutes of football action between Everton’s U21 squad and Bolton Wanderers’ B team. The early departure was part of a pre-planned evacuation drill to ensure the stadium meets safety regulations.
Blue Sauce Sparks Social Media Discussion
During the event, an attendee shared a photo online of a half-time hot dog topped with a distinctive Everton-blue sauce, instead of the customary red ketchup. This culinary choice quickly drew attention online, interpreted by many as a playful jab at Liverpool, whose team colour is red. Football Away Days, a popular social media account, reposted the image on X, commenting: “Everton are using blue ketchup at their new stadium, Bramley Moore Docks, so they don’t have to use ‘red’ sauce.”
Fan Reactions to the Blue Condiment
Amused Everton Supporters
The blue condiment sparked considerable amusement, particularly among Everton fans. One supporter admitted, “That’s a level of pettiness that I’m completely willing to get behind.” Another fan highlighted the humour reaching their family and the joke’s widespread reception: “Oh no, the blue ketchup hot dog has found its way to my family group, and I’m baffled at how many heads the joke has gone over… Hilarious from Everton in my opinion.”
Further expressions of amusement included comments such as: “Everton not having tomato ketchup at their new ground because it’s red is absolutely hilarious,” and “Kind of admire that level of depressing childish behaviour. Back to the blue additives in the sauce it is lads.”
Liverpool Fans React with Skepticism
Conversely, some followers of neighbouring Liverpool were less impressed by the perceived jest. One critic quipped: “Liverpool win titles, Everton change colour of ketchup. What they’d do to be us.” Another response was more critical, stating sarcastically: “If the club spent as much time on the logistics as the ketchup you wouldn’t be 15th and as petty. But embarrassing really. Let’s bang a load of food colouring into the fans food bizarre attitude from the club.”
Another dissenting voice added: “Even Leeds are not that petty. Remove the red from McDonald’s signs fine. Turn ketchup blue? That’s just a condiment.”
Everton Clarifies Condiment Choice
In response to the online discussion, Everton FC issued a clarification, stating: “Just for clarification, the condiment is a blue garlic aioli, not ketchup or mayo, and is a very deliberate and appreciative nod to Everton and for the fans. Traditional ketchup most definitely remains available too!”
Additional Condiment Options Available
The club also indicated that a firecracker sauce is available as a condiment option, which has proven to be a popular accompaniment to the stadium’s salt and pepper chicken dish.