Doncaster Rovers supporters react as club announces ticket refund options and appeals for help

Rovers have announced a range of refund options for season tickets and match tickets for games that will now not be played after the 2019/20 League One season was curtailed.

And, under the newly created ‘In Rovers Supporters We Trust’ scheme, fans have been urged to consider allowing the club to keep money spent when making their decisions over whether to claim refunds.

Rovers have seen their main income streams cut off due to the Covid-19 crisis, with no matches having taken place since March and concerns supporters will not be allowed into stadiums when next season does begin.

Joining the club in their appeal have been well-known Rovers fans, all of whom are part of the Supporters’ Board which helped formulate the refund options.

Secretary of the Retford Branch of the supporters’ club Paul Mayfield said: “2019/20 has been a season like we’ve never seen and hopefully will never see again.

“But for me the most important thing is that we see another season and that we all have a club to support once things go back to normal.

“I know not all fans can donate their money to the club, but I’d ask any that can to do that.

“COVID-19 has taken so much – friends, family, loved ones.

“We’ve always trusted the club to do the right thing for us and now they’re trusting us to do the best thing for them. Rovers til I die!”

Supporters’ Club chairman Len South added: “I always think how lucky we are to have a club that cares so much about its supporters.

“We are consulted on most things and even if we don’t always like the decisions taken, the club and the board are always honest enough to give us reasons.

“That has been the same throughout this process.

“We were consulted from the start and we can see that our thoughts and suggestions have been carefully considered and included within the proposal.

“This has been a collaborative effort which has shown us – if it were ever in doubt – that the club values us as supporters as much as we value our club.

“In the season that we celebrated the club’s 140th anniversary, the main thing for me is that our club is here not just next season but for 140 more seasons after that.”

And Viking Supporters Cooperative secretary Martin O’Hara said: “Having spent years working with clubs through both the Supporters Trust and the Football Supporters Association (Federation), I can honestly say that Doncaster Rovers is one of the most well run clubs in the country.

“This is an unprecedented situation though and even the best run clubs are not immune from the impacts of this pandemic.

“As always, the club have been honest and transparent in their assessment and compared to many clubs have gone above and beyond in the offers they have presented us fans who have purchased tickets for games.

“The club are trying to show value to supporters whilst ensuring we still have a club to support in the future.

“It’s now up to us to do what we can to support our club, if you are in a position to support the club by donating your refund, then I urge you to do so. In Rovers Supporters We Trust.”

Other supporters quickly responded on social media to give their thoughts on the range of options offered by the club.

@garysouter3: This is fantastic. I had no intention of asking for a refund anyway but to invest that money into the academy and still offer something back to the fans is brilliant. Option 1 100%

@owen_collins7: I won’t see my club struggle. Easiest decision I’ve ever made in my life to donate the value of my season ticket back the club

@JimmyDRFC: Seeing some class and generous offers in response to this. Now more than ever the club needs us (if financially viable of course!)

@therovingbear92: Keep it lads. You've given me more than enough. Take that, and use it, and let's have 140 more years #DRFC #RTID

@Donnybarmyarmy: Easiest decision I’ve ever made. This club could take my last penny

@danielsdrk: With the greatest of pleasure, please keep my money. A superbly run family club with supporters and the community at its heart. RTID.

@DRFCJM1: Do what you want with my money. I earn my money to watch the rovers. RTID

@dan_renham: I’m a fan not a customer, Raising handskeep it and I will see you next season at some point

@adam_winder777: Without this club football wouldn’t be worth watching for me and many more , keep the money , get through this terrible time and come out stronger on the other side

@superryandunphy: No brainer! I’d urge everyone to donate this money, we have a properly run club, let’s keep it that way!

@Dantheman_RTID: I'd never think about taking money from the club I love. I'm not a season ticket holder ...yet so my message probably doesn't have as much weight behind it but the sentiment is definitely there. Use the money I have invested to make our club better.

Paul Morrell: Come on fans let the club keep them to keep them afloat true fans would r.t.i.d and get online some great offers in shop

Dave Atkinson: Donated our season ticket and Rotherham away tickets back to Rovers - took 2 minutes on phone RTID

READ MORE

Rovers announce range of ticket refund options

Gavin Baldwin appeals to supporters for help

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