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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Aaliyah Rugg

'Lifelong' Liverpool FC fan devastated after losing 28 year season ticket

A lifelong LFC fan was devastated to lose his season ticket after missing the renewal deadline.

Andrew Mellish, 47, has been going to watch the Reds play with his dad since the age of four and now takes his own sons. The self-employed builder, originally from Childwall, was struggling to get the money together to renew his season ticket, which he's held for 28 years.

But when a number of jobs came in and he had the money to pay, Andrew realised the May 24 deadline had passed and his opportunity had been "taken away".

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He told the ECHO: "It was just one of those things with life, one thing after another. It got to the 30th and I realised I hadn't done it, I contacted them and they said I knew when the renewal date was, I was pleading with them.

"I've had the season ticket for 28 years and was going to matches for 15 years before that.

Andrew Mellish has been a season ticket holder for 28 years and would take his sons Samuel (15) and Daniel (9) to watch the Reds play (Andrew Mellish)

Andrew, who now lives in London, said he travels across Europe to watch his team play as he added: "I was a few days late, it blows my mind they can take that stance. There should be some human compassion, accept the fact we are human and make mistakes.

"Money was tight but I knew it would come in, it's not a small amount of money. Covid hit us hard and we have struggled but money wasn't going to be the problem, timing was the issue."

Andrew believes there should be an appeals process in place or a "first time warning". He said: "It tortures me. It's the occasions we are going to miss. I feel like it's been taken away, there's no come back."

The ECHO understands that LFC is having ongoing conversations with Mr Mellish.

Andrew isn't the only person who missed out on a season ticket renewal this year. The ECHO previously spoke to Khalil Kawafi who has held onto his season ticket for 25 years. The NHS doctor, working as a stroke consultant in Manchester, said he "completely forgot" about the deadline date but when he contacted the club, he was told the deadline had passed.

Khalil said the season ticket meant more to him than football, it was his "way of life" as Anfield is like his church. He added: "After 25 years of service, always on time, always renewed and now this. I didn't realise I'd lose my ticket completely. I lost track of time, had other things on my mind, it was a mistake I admit that.

"It's a way of life for me. I've travelled around the world, paid ridiculous amounts on hotels to be there for my team and you're dismissed."

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