Home
Wanderers chairman Sharon Brittan says the club is “bitterly disappointed” by the government’s decision to cancel fans’ phased return to stadia next month.
In an open letter to supporters, Brittan says the club is well-prepared to bring back more than 8,000 season ticket holders once safe to do so.
And though the local lockdown scuppered the chance of Wanderers getting involved in the EFL’s pilot test projects, news that supporters could now be locked out of grounds until March has come as a hammer blow to football finances.
Wanderers say they are reviewing how to improve the value of season tickets already purchased and how the iFollow streaming service can be improved while games are still being played behind closed doors.
Brittain’s statement read: “I hope you are well and managing to cope with the ever changing circumstances. “We sincerely hoped that we would soon have the opportunity to welcome you back to the University of Bolton Stadium in the near future. Everyone at the club was therefore bitterly disappointed by the Government’s announcement regarding the ‘pause’ to the project for fans to return to live sport.
“An immense amount of work has taken place behind the scenes in order to prepare the stadium and we believed we were better placed than most to facilitate the return of all of our season ticket holders safely. These hopes were initially dashed by the local Bolton lockdown and then latterly by the government’s announcement on Tuesday. However, it remains our aim to bring you back as soon as possible and we will continue to hold discussions with the EFL, the Sports Ground Safety Authority, the council and lobby our local MPs to try and encourage a change in policy. Personally, match days provided me with the opportunity to meet and chat with you all and I dearly miss those times.
“To date, we have sold over 8,000 season tickets which is vital revenue for the club. This is truly remarkable and confirmation of our long held view that this club is blessed with supporters who go beyond the ordinary call of duty. Your support has allowed us to maintain the ambition on the field for the current season. Without you this may not have been possible.
“We fully understand and appreciate that many supporters bought season tickets both in an effort to support the club at a difficult time and in the hope of a return to the stadium. We therefore appreciate that you will be as disappointed as us that your return has been ‘paused’. We want to reassure you that since the start of the season we have been working on a number of initiatives to thank you all and provide further value to the season ticket package. We will be announcing the details of these initiatives very soon.
“As was made clear by our friends at Colchester United, the response we have received through the EFL’s iFollow streaming service has been extraordinary. We are in discussions with the EFL about iFollow and how it could be enhanced and it will remain available whilst supporters are unable to return to the stadium.
“We are being continually presented with ever more difficult business conditions whether that is in the club or Whites Hotel. Both businesses have significant overheads which must be met to continue to operate. These costs are continually reviewed and our aim is to become as efficient as possible but until we reach that point we will continue to provide the support required.
“In recent months we have repeatedly plotted a path through these difficulties but have been knocked off course by another unforeseen event or restriction. Despite these setbacks, together with you, as one club, one community and one town, we will prevail. We aim to not only overcome, but to emerge from this time stronger and more unified than ever. This great football club deserves success for the heartache in recent times and we are committed to fulfilling the faith you have shown.
“Please stay safe, continue to support the team and we will continue this journey together.”
Source
In an open letter to supporters, Brittan says the club is well-prepared to bring back more than 8,000 season ticket holders once safe to do so.
And though the local lockdown scuppered the chance of Wanderers getting involved in the EFL’s pilot test projects, news that supporters could now be locked out of grounds until March has come as a hammer blow to football finances.
Wanderers say they are reviewing how to improve the value of season tickets already purchased and how the iFollow streaming service can be improved while games are still being played behind closed doors.
Brittain’s statement read: “I hope you are well and managing to cope with the ever changing circumstances. “We sincerely hoped that we would soon have the opportunity to welcome you back to the University of Bolton Stadium in the near future. Everyone at the club was therefore bitterly disappointed by the Government’s announcement regarding the ‘pause’ to the project for fans to return to live sport.
“An immense amount of work has taken place behind the scenes in order to prepare the stadium and we believed we were better placed than most to facilitate the return of all of our season ticket holders safely. These hopes were initially dashed by the local Bolton lockdown and then latterly by the government’s announcement on Tuesday. However, it remains our aim to bring you back as soon as possible and we will continue to hold discussions with the EFL, the Sports Ground Safety Authority, the council and lobby our local MPs to try and encourage a change in policy. Personally, match days provided me with the opportunity to meet and chat with you all and I dearly miss those times.
“To date, we have sold over 8,000 season tickets which is vital revenue for the club. This is truly remarkable and confirmation of our long held view that this club is blessed with supporters who go beyond the ordinary call of duty. Your support has allowed us to maintain the ambition on the field for the current season. Without you this may not have been possible.
“We fully understand and appreciate that many supporters bought season tickets both in an effort to support the club at a difficult time and in the hope of a return to the stadium. We therefore appreciate that you will be as disappointed as us that your return has been ‘paused’. We want to reassure you that since the start of the season we have been working on a number of initiatives to thank you all and provide further value to the season ticket package. We will be announcing the details of these initiatives very soon.
“As was made clear by our friends at Colchester United, the response we have received through the EFL’s iFollow streaming service has been extraordinary. We are in discussions with the EFL about iFollow and how it could be enhanced and it will remain available whilst supporters are unable to return to the stadium.
“We are being continually presented with ever more difficult business conditions whether that is in the club or Whites Hotel. Both businesses have significant overheads which must be met to continue to operate. These costs are continually reviewed and our aim is to become as efficient as possible but until we reach that point we will continue to provide the support required.
“In recent months we have repeatedly plotted a path through these difficulties but have been knocked off course by another unforeseen event or restriction. Despite these setbacks, together with you, as one club, one community and one town, we will prevail. We aim to not only overcome, but to emerge from this time stronger and more unified than ever. This great football club deserves success for the heartache in recent times and we are committed to fulfilling the faith you have shown.
“Please stay safe, continue to support the team and we will continue this journey together.”
Source