Robinson is so grateful for support in pandemic
BURTON Albion chairman Ben Robinson has told fans and sponsors that their continued support during the current pandemic is “invaluable” to the club.
As he battles to make ends meet with the club’s income streams cut, Robinson has been heartened that many of the regular sponsors recommitted this season, while two thirds of season ticket holders renewed despite not knowing when they would be allowed to come into the Pirelli Stadium again – although they have been promised refunds for each game missed.
Now the chairman has published a letter he sent this week to all involved.
It reads: “As we are now just over halfway through the season, I wanted to update you on all that has been going on at Burton Albion FC and Burton Albion Community Trust.
“Unfortunately, the Covid-19 restrictions have meant that we are still playing football behind closed doors and that the normal day-today activities at the Pirelli Stadium are not taking place.
“I hope you are using your ifollow account to watch all of our home games live, which is being offered to all season ticket holders and vicepresidents without any charge. We would love to see you back inside the Pirelli Stadium but ifollow is the best way to watch the team until the health situation eases.
“The pandemic has had a devastating impact on people’s daily lives, businesses, work and physical and mental health and we can only hope that the vaccination programme will give us a pathway back to normality.
“In such extraordinary times, your support of the football club has been even more invaluable and there is no doubt that we would not have been able to play such an active role in supporting the NHS, helping the community and continuing to deliver vital services to people without you.
“Both the club and our charity (BACT) have been at the forefront of the local response and by supporting us you have played a key role in keeping all that going.
“The stadium has been used by the NHS for midwifery services to help free up hospital space; for Covid-19 and lateral flow testing and, most importantly, as a vaccination centre.
“The club have donated food to the Community Kitchen Hub, helped to make sure families most in need had vouchers to buy Christmas presents by supporting businessman Nathan Dear’s fantastic idea and provided free packed lunches to school pupils during holidays.
“BACT have delivered food parcels to those in need, reached out to those feeling lonely and cut off by Covid, provided Team Talk Zoom meetings to create a social connection between fans and, again perhaps most importantly, provided volunteers to help the NHS at the vaccination centre.
“BACT staff have made more than 5,500 phone calls, distributed more than 4,000 activity packs and have donated more than 3,000 volunteer hours to support the community.
“All this is just a sample of the daily commitment of BACT and BAFC to make sure we are at the heart of the local effort to get the community through this.
“Thanks for being an essential part of that and helping us to deliver on our promise to support the community at this most difficult time.
“Together we are making a massive difference. Stay safe and I hope to see you at the Pirelli Stadium soon.”