Getting It Right About Ian Ross

In the last few days our message boards have included several posts from alleged Everton and Manchester United fans, concerning ticket sales for the home FA Cup game against Manchester United.

Some of these posts include e-mail responses sent in confidence by Ian Ross, Everton's Head of Communications. These appeared to include the word 'scum' as replacement for 'Manchester United'.

After checking, we wish to make it clear that Ian Ross did not use the word 'scum' in his e-mails. In fact one of our message board Administrators, set up an automatic word substitute, in what he thought was a piece of harmless banter.

It was this that made an automatic change and completely misrepresented Ian Ross, albeit inadvertently. We have now taken action as necessary.

We apologise unreservedly to Ian Ross.

Furthermore we wish to make it clear this website has had excellent relations with Everton Football Club at every level of contract. We will not jeopardise that situation over a form of words, however inadvertent. Nor will we be drawn into a pointless personal campaign, perhaps built on a false premise.

We are happy to set the record straight. (18/02/05)