The club has announced the latest round of options for those supporters who left their money in the club this season.
I picked up from a Facebook post the other day that this might be controversial. After all, fans were only asked to take shares for the remainder of last season’s matches, this is different, isn’t it? This is a full season and a bigger chunk of money.
For absolute clarity, the club are still honouring the original offer they made of money off next year’s season ticket. If that is the option you choose, then there is no issue. The amount we plough in as season ticket holders is not small and few enjoy the luxury of being able to use that money for something else. I don’t think anyone should feel they can’t use the money they have backed up for credit, certainly not if their situation dictates that they need to.
If you do have the means to use that money for something else, then the club has put together a string of offers and experiences for people who wish to help as much as they can. Remember, this isn’t the club going cap in hand without putting something in first – the board stumped up £800,000 which was announced this week. They’re not expecting you to leave your money in and not doing something themselves. What they are saying (in my opinion) is that we’re not out of the woods just yet, and challenging for the Championship means we need to save as much money as possible. By having supporters take up these options, rather than a reduced ST price, then they will claw back some revenue they may lose next season.
I like the idea, but then I would, wouldn’t I? Not because I’m a sycophant, but because I love merchandise, experiences and the like. I’ve run my eye over the list and like the idea of the presentation with Jez George, an open training session and a signed home shirt too. In fact, I might even end up spending more money than I’m due and topping up the number, but that’s just me.
The headline is the raffle I expect, something that may well attract a few people looking to bag the top prize. For £25 per ticket, the club are offering a range of prizes which are eye-watering, from a box for a full season to an exciting fan pack with tickets, drinks and stuff. It’s almost a no-lose situation because every unsuccessful ticket in the raffle will earn shares instead, to add to those some supporters got at the end of last season. The chance to win a box, worth £12,000, for the entire season, is incredible and something that could be a magical experience if we were promoted to the Championship. As much as I’d love to win it, my eye was immediately drawn to the squad number for the 20/21 season – how I’d love that! That’s the sort of thing that appeals to me though, the quirky and unique.
I’ve had a look at my existing credit, it comes to £93 give or take because I take an iFollow pass each week too. That will increase before the end of the season, giving me (hopefully) enough for a couple of the options. Personally, I’ll be taking one or more of the experiences, rather than a refund, but that is only because I feel I am in a position to. However, that isn’t virtue signalling, just affirmation that I think the club’s scheme is a good thing.
I know some will grumble, but come on, be realistic. If every one of the existing ST holders took a discount next season, it could cost the club a huge sum of money. Instead, they’re trying to find a way of reducing that deficit, and not just by pleading for you to leave the cash there. Instead, they are offering something in return, a tangible benefit for you being able to pay full price next season.
Whatever you choose, at least we have a club that does think a little outside the box, and if you are a social media critic, please hold fire before having a pop at this scheme. The people who run our club (you know the ones, they’re £800,000 poorer than they were a few months back) are trying as best they can to help secure our future. There is no harm at all in asking for supporters to back this scheme, one which does offer something in return for that support.