Doncaster Rovers announce refund options for ticket holders

The 2019/20 League One season was curtailed earlier this month with Rovers having ten matches left to play, three of those being at home.

Announcing the range of options in an open letter, Rovers chief executive Gavin Baldwin appealed for the help of supporters at a dangerous time for club finances, with the usual major income streams cut off without matches taking place.

That help can take the form of some of the options announced by the club, including donating the cost of tickets to the club or receiving vouchers instead of cash.

Baldwin also confirmed that options for those who have already purchased season tickets for the 2020/21 season will be announced when details of that campaign is confirmed. No start date has been revealed for next season, nor has there been any confirmation of whether any supporters will be allowed into stadiums.

Here, we look at the various options available to ticket holders for the unplayed matches of the 19/20 season.

SEASON MEMBERS - Silver Members, Gold and Platinum Legends Club Members and Executive Box Holders

Option one: Donate the pro-rata value of the membership compensation back to the club.

This donation will be used to support the club’s Academy, with the supporter being made a patron of the Academy for next season. The supporter will receive a report next summer of how their donation has benefitted the Academy.

Anyone taking up this option will be invited to a former player reunion and see their name printed on a memorial at the stadium. There will also be an invitation-only training session at the Keepmoat where players will take part in an open Q&A.

Three match tickets will be donated to key workers from the Covid-19 crisis in the name of the supporter.

The club are also able to claim the VAT from the compensation value, providing them with an extra 20 per cent.

Option two: Claim a compensation figure as credit in Club Doncaster vouchers

Credit of the equivalent of 50 per cent of the price per game paid as part of a season membership will be converted into vouchers which can be used against the cost of future season membership or match tickets for Rovers, the Belles or the Dons.

Vouchers can also be used on lottery subscriptions, pitch bookings, group experiences, birthday parties, programme subscriptions and hospitality passes.

The 50 per cent amount was previously offered following the cancellation of the match with Bury after the Lancashire club were expelled from the league.

SINGLE MATCH TICKET HOLDERS - INCLUDING AWAY MATCHES

Option one: Donate the value of tickets back to Rovers

The donation will support the club’s Academy with the supporter made a patron of the Academy system, receiving a report next summer of the impact of their donation.

The supporter will be invited to a former player reunion and have their name on a lasting memorial at the Keepmoat. There will also be an invitation-only training session at the stadium with a Q&A with players.

The equivalent number of match tickets will be donated in the supporter’s name to a key worker from the Covid-19 crisis.

The club are also able to claim the VAT from the compensation value, providing them with an extra 20 per cent.

Option two: Vouchers at the same value as match tickets with 10 per cent added

The vouchers can be used towards season memberships, home match ticket purchases for Rovers, Dons or Belles games, lottery subscriptions, pitch bookings, group experiences, birthday parties, programme subscriptions and hospitality passes.

Option three: Full refund at face value of match tickets

A message from the club read: “We of course understand that not everyone is in a position to exchange their ticket purchases for vouchers or a donation back to the club and therefore if you do require a refund we will of course honour them as per our moral and legal obligation.”

FIVE OR TEN MATCH MULTI-TICKET HOLDERS

Option one: Donate the pro-rata value of unused multi-ticket compensation back to Rovers.

The donation will support the club’s Academy with the supporter made a patron of the Academy system, receiving a report next summer of the impact of their donation.

The supporter will be invited to a former player reunion and have their name on a lasting memorial at the Keepmoat. There will also be an invitation-only training session at the stadium with a Q&A with players.

Three match tickets will be donated in the supporter’s name to a key worker from the Covid-19 crisis.

The club are also able to claim the VAT from the compensation value, providing them with an extra 20 per cent.

Option two: Extend the expiry date of tickets until December 31, 2021

The equivalent number of match tickets will be donated in the supporter’s name to a key worker from the Covid-19 crisis.

For details of how to claim your desired option, visit the official Rovers website.

The club have also warned that refunds may take longer than expected to process due to the volume of requests that could potentially be made. The box office is also currently being run by a skeleton staff, which may lengthen the process.

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