Gavin Baldwin looks to reassure Doncaster Rovers supporters in open letter

Chief executive Gavin Baldwin says Doncaster Rovers remain determined to put supporters first but also do all they can to protect the future of the club.
Doncaster Rovers supporters during the win over Wycombe WanderersDoncaster Rovers supporters during the win over Wycombe Wanderers
Doncaster Rovers supporters during the win over Wycombe Wanderers

Baldwin has penned an open letter to supporters, outlining the current position of the club as they prepare for the decisive vote over the fate of the 2019/20 season, which is on hold due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

The CEO says the club are keen to provide a clear picture to fans over match tickets and season tickets that have been purchased, once the plan for the remainder of the season is determined.

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Baldwin confirmed it is expected that League One clubs will be asked to vote for their preferred method of completing the season after an EFL board meeting on Thursday, with the definitive result due no later than the week commencing June 8.

He wrote: “Ensuring we find solutions for supporters and partners who have purchased match tickets, season tickets and other packages that are no longer valid with a season curtailment is one we take very seriously.

“We have called for a Supporters Board meeting on Friday and as part of that meeting we will discuss our existing liability, our proposed solutions and the actions other clubs have taken.

“As always our starting point will be to try and ensure we can go above and beyond to please our supporters, but whilst ensuring we do not put the future of our club in doubt.

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“Following the Supporters Board meeting and once confirmation of the result of the EFL League One vote, we will then provide clarity to our supporters.”

Baldwin thanked supporters for the additional contributions so far, which has included significant donations from supporters’ clubs.

“We wish to take this opportunity to reassure all fans that we are committed to ensuring our supporters know how much we value them,” he added.

“During the past few weeks there have been some incredible acts of kindness from the Supporters Clubs and fans making donations to the club, additional purchases being made and fans making pledges not to ask for refunds.

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“Our goal is to create a solution that amplifies those act of kindness back to all our supporters and ensures we have a club to support in the future.

“We will have succeeded if we can create a solution whereby fans are delighted and the club looks forward to next season.”

The Rovers squad last week agreed to defer a portion of their wage until football can be played in front of crowds again - something not expected for the rest of 2020.

Baldwin said such decisions - along with further investment from club directors - have helped keep the club in business during a time when income streams have been cut off.

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“You will have seen last week that the players and senior staff have agreed to take pay deferrals and pay cuts in order to keep the club viable during this pandemic, and those actions follow that of our directors who each put in additional funding in excess of six figures to keep the club afloat at the beginning of lockdown,” he wrote

“These actions have been to safeguard the club’s immediate future and have helped to keep us financially stable during this difficult time when our income streams have been reduced to almost zero.”

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