Sussex touched by fans’ generosity at testing financial time
Rob Andrew has praised Sussex fans who have waived their right to refunds to help the county get through the lockdown.
The Sussex Cricket CEO revealed some supporters had asked the club to keep money they had paid for matches this year which had now been cancelled.
But Sussex are giving all fans options – including getting refunds or using money paid to cover matches next season.
The county said refunds for individual tickets would be automatically processed by Tuesday, June 30, though supporters can waive their right to a refund in support of the club, or donate it to the ‘Together Through This Test’ fund in support of the Sussex Cricket Foundation and other local charities.
There is still hope of some cricket being played in late summer, so they are asking membership and Blast Pass holders to remain patient as they await further news from the ECB. Once they have a clearer understanding of how or when the season will be concluded, they will be in touch with membership and Blast Pass holders, who will have the option to obtain a refund, defer their package to the 2021 season or waive their right to a refund to support the club at this financially challenging time.
Andrew said: “First and foremost, I’d like to pass on my best wishes to our members, season ticket holders and fans during these difficult times. I hope you and your families are all keeping safe and well.
“At Sussex Cricket, we appreciate the testing financial situation you might currently find yourselves in.
“For so long, you have been fantastic supporters of our team on the pitch – now we want to return the favour and support you as best we can off the pitch.
“If you were one of the many thousands to have purchased individual tickets in advance of the season, thank you. We hope that offering you a refund can go some way to showing our gratitude and helps put your mind at ease.
“I have been touched and overwhelmed by the many emails I and the club have received from members and fans saying they would like to waive their rights to a refund and donate their fees to the club. Gestures like these will continue to help us navigate financially challenging times.
“However, we fully appreciate that not all our fans will have the financial means to do this and we hope the processing of their refund will go a small way to helping ease their financial pressures.
“Once again, thank you all for your superb support. Stay safe, stay positive and hopefully we’ll be back together at Hove soon.”
Advice to individual ticket purchasers is that refunds for individual tickets purchased for the 2020 Vitality Blast, County Championship and One-Day Cup matches will be automatically processed by June 30. Those who wish to receive a full refund do not need to take any action.
Details of how individual ticket purchasers can waive their right to a refund in support of the club, or donate to the ‘Together Through This Test’ fund in aid of the Sussex Cricket Foundation and other nominated charities, will be communicated this Friday.
Those wishing to action this will have until Friday 19 June to do so.
Membership and Blast Pass holders are asked to be patient at the moment until the outcome of the season is known.