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Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Where will AFCB pick up enough points to survive?
This is a fan’s personal view of AFC Bournemouth from the outside looking in. It reports on the daily official activities reported by the club and comments made by individual fans on social media and fanbase websites. Life as an AFCB fan is never dull. As a life-long supporter of the Cherries, it is the friendliness of the staff, fans and my enthusiasm for the club that inspired me to write this blog.
Sunday, 24 May 2020
Do fans want season ticket refunds?
I was thinking myself about whether I wanted to see AFCB offer a refund on the home games that are left this season or whether they would offer something in exchange for the money paid for games that have yet to be paid. Then I saw BBC had a news story on Saturday on how some fans of lower league club fans were needing to support their clubs by donating the money they had paid for remaining games, just to help keep their clubs afloat.
With AFCB it might be a different situation, but the club is by no means making a profit every season despite being in the Premier League. AFCB are not about to go under but they will no doubt be grateful of any revenue they can hold on to because their out goings have been greater than income for the last few years. I suppose you can blame this on the wages they are offering to players and some of the high transfer fees. It is the environment in which they operate, although perhaps other clubs are able to manage their finances better, especially when they have bigger fanbases.
It will be of interest to see how AFCB approach the question of offering a refund or vouchers perhaps in the club shop or a discount on the 2020-21 games, or anther incentive for them to try and keep the funds that have already been paid. It might well depend on what league AFCB are playing in next season as to what kind of deals they offer, but as we approach June, the clock is already clicking on working out how the club will go about sorting season tickets for the next season, which is still scheduled for an August start as far as we know.
For fans the debate will depend very much on personal circumstances. Some may have been furloughed and would be very glad of having a refund to which they are surely entitled. But for others who can afford to give the club the five games without asking for a refund, it could save the club hundreds of thousand pounds. And at the moment the club is having to spend itself on getting its social distancing right and changing things around the training ground and stadium to prepare for games.
AFCB fans have always been generous and it may just be that the majority decide that the club needs the money more than themselves this season and we hope that prices don't go up in 2020/21.
Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Where will AFCB pick up enough points to survive?
Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Where will AFCB pick up enough points to survive?
Funds should have been dealt with from long term loans turned into proper transfers, Defoe, Arter, Begovic and maybe some reserves who were not making the grade. huge pressure off the wage bill or contributions being made by AFCB. Yes, therefore I would seek a refund on this season but would be willing to see the refund used to help a charitable purpose.
ReplyDeleteAs a season ticket holder for many years I would be much more comfortable about not seeking a refund if there was some transparency as to what that the players had reciprocated....
ReplyDeleteWhen we have players who earn more in a week than most of us do in a year why should we not a refund?
ReplyDeleteIf the club can afford to pay the likes of Jordan Ibe a reported 38k a week then no question season ticket holders should get a refund and not be expected to not receive it.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree, let's see the players giving the club refunds before you ask Joe public to give up hard earned cash. I think the supporters are already being sidelined and ignored in all this getting football back.
ReplyDelete