Everton announced the introduction of the European Travel Club ahead of the 2008/09 UEFA Cup campaign.

Interest in watching Everton take part in European competition has been extremely high in recent years, and the Club reviewed a number of ways to meet the ticket allocation challenge. Everton are confident that the new European Travel Club will be a fair and transparent method for supporters to purchase tickets for the European away fixtures.

Head of Ticketing, Andy Ward explains: "Supporters who join the scheme will earn points to secure tickets for future games and when ticket allocations are low, they'll be allocated to the supporters with the most points.

"A point will be allocated each time a supporter applies to purchase a ticket. So, even if unsuccessful as a result of a small overall allocation of tickets, the fan will still earn a point towards a future game."

"Introducing a points system will also allow the Club to more accurately advise supporters, in advance of booking travel, who is most likely to qualify to receive tickets. For example, if the Club receives an allocation of 800 tickets for a game, and there are 700 supporters with the highest numbers of points (say 5), we will be able to give advanced notification to those supporters that they will definitely be eligible to receive a ticket.''

Fans registering with the Travel Club will start with a points total based on tickets bought for domestic and Cup away fixtures over over the past two seasons:

• Fans who attended 20+ away games over that period will start with 3 points
• Fans who attended 10 - 19 away games receive 2 points
• Fans who attended 1 - 9 away games receive 1 point

In addition, 2008/09 Season Ticket Holders with no away sales history will start with 1 point.

Membership for the new European Travel Club is just £5 with free membership to Executive members, Season Ticket holders and subscribers to evertonTV.

Andy Ward added: "This new method of European ticket distribution has been introduced following consultation with fans and supporter groups and the general consensus at those meetings was this was the correct way to move forward.

"The scheme will also allow the Club and its travel partner Thomas Cook to process applications much more efficiently enabling our supporters to have more time to plan their travel and accommodation and/or book time off work."

There are a number of ways to join the European Travel Club.

• Executive members and Season Ticket holders should click here.
• evertonTV subscribers should click here.
• All other supporters can purchase their membership online, via the Fan Centre by calling 0871 663 1878 or visiting the box office at Goodison Park.

Please note that becoming a member of the European Travel Club is now the ONLY way to obtain an away European ticket for Everton matches.

Supporters are also reminded that an allocation of tickets will be received in accordance with UEFA rules and distributed amongst the various supporter groups - eg Season Ticket holders, Executive members, Official Travel, Supporters' Clubs etc etc.