Albion fans have been told they will be able to get a refund on season tickets but the club is still “extremely hopeful” about them returning this season.
The club have announced supporters can claim a refund on 75 per cent of 2020-21 season-tickets or 1901 Club memberships.
A refund can be claimed on receipt of email (sent by the club) confirming each individual’s personal amount due or, if preferred, at a later date to suit each individual’s own personal financial needs.
The rest will be deducted from next season’s price for fans who do not get to return to The Amex. They can claim the full refund later if they cancel their season ticket.
A spokesman said: “The refund can be claimed on receipt of email from the club confirming each individual’s personal amount due or, if preferred, at a later date to suit each individual’s own personal financial needs.
“Supporters will be able to claim refunds up to the 15th of each month with payments being made by the first of the following month, with one earlier payment run for those who claim before the 4th November receiving their refund by the 18th November. The last date to request a refund will be the 15th February 2021. Any remaining balance will be carried over for use against match tickets and/or the season-ticket or 1901 Club renewal.”
The amount available for refund to fans will depend on how much has been paid to date, whether a payment holiday was taken earlier this year, if an amount was waived or donated, and if any payments have been missed.
General admission season-ticket holders and 1901 Club members will be advised of their specific refund amount, and this along with details of how to claim will be communicated by the club in the next 14 days.
The spokesman added: “Unfortunately, it still remains entirely unclear when fans may be able to return to watch matches at the Amex; although we remain extremely hopeful access to our stadium will be permitted for fans to see some home matches before the end of the current season provided it is safe.
“For this reason, the club will retain 25 per cent of the value of this year’s season ticket or 1901 Club membership, to be used for future matches and/or season tickets, which are of course guaranteed as a result.”
“Should it not be possible to accommodate fans in the stadium this season, any remaining credit at the end of the season will be deducted from the 2021/22 season-ticket renewal price or 1901 Club membership fees.
“Any supporter opting not to renew for the 2021/22 season, may claim a full refund at the end of the current season.”
With at least 11 home Premier League games to be played after Christmas, the 25% portion of the value of this year’s season ticket or 1901 Club membership being retained by the club will be used for, or towards, any matches (at 1/19th of the cost of the season ticket or 1/21st of 1901 Club membership) that fans do get to attend, subject to stadium capacity restrictions and/or ballot results, in the balance of the 2020/21 season.
Clearly, we will require a change in government policy for this to happen, and we will continue to lobby for this, and for our fans’ safe return.
HOW REFUNDS WILL WORK
Season-ticket holders and 1901 Club members will have the option to apply for their refund immediately, or to claim their refund amount at any time up to and including 16th February 2021 should their personal circumstances change, or choose to leave all of their money with the club as part of their credit balance for the remainder of this season, towards the cost of next season, or to claim a full refund at the end of the season if fans choose not to renew.
If we are able to reopen our stadium, partially or in full, and should a season-ticket holder or 1901 Club member credit balance run out because they get to attend more than 25% of our home league matches, they will be required to top up their credit balance for any additional matches.
Albion chief executive and deputy chairman Paul Barber said: “In light of the ongoing uncertainty regarding the return of fans, we are fully aware that some of our season-ticket holders and 1901 Club members are, or might be, facing financial challenges in the weeks ahead.
“We are providing an option for fans to apply for a return of their funds as soon as we practically can, or to do so at a later date if they do not wish to receive their money back immediately but their circumstances change at a later date.
“We’re also aware that while we are playing behind closed doors, fans may wish to see any Albion games that aren’t selected for normal live TV coverage on pay per view. The refunds we are providing will ensure fans have their money available to buy any PPV games if they wish to do so.
“Obviously, our absolute priority is to look after our fans as best we can at what is a difficult and uncertain time for everyone. But these are also difficult times for the club, and where fans are able to leave their funds in the club, this would be hugely appreciated.”
SEASON-TICKET AND 1901 CLUB EXAMPLES
Further detailed information will be sent to season-ticket holders and 1901 Club members in the next 14 days, but as way of an example here some illustrations.
Example General Admission Paying DD
North Stand STH paying £545
25% deposit = £136.25
£225.63 paid in DDs + £140.75 refund due from last season’s matches = £366.38 total balance
£366.38 - £136.25 = £230.13 refund
Example General Admission Lump Sum
North Stand STH paying £545
25% deposit = £136.25
£545 - £136.25 = £408.75 refund
(note lump sum payers had refund from last year’s games processed back to their credit/debit card)
Example 1901 Club member paying DD
1901 Club gold members pay £1116+VAT
25% deposit = £279+VAT
£214+VAT paid in DDs + £260+VAT refund due from last season’s matches = £474+VAT total balance
£474+VAT - £279+VAT = £195+VAT refund
Example 1901 Club member Lump Sum
1901 Club members have currently paid 50% of their 1901 Club membership fee.
50% of the amount paid is available for refund plus 5/21 of the 19/20 1901 Club membership fee.
For a 1901 Club gold member this is £279+VAT + £260+VAT = £539+VAT refund
Cut off for application Refund date
4 November 18 November
15 November 1 December
15 December 1 January
15 January 1 February
16 February 1 March
Refund requests will be unavailable after 16 February
The news comes as health chiefs revealed the city is at "tipping point"
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