A number of supporters have contacted us in recent weeks with concern over the forthcoming fixture at Blackpool and the risk of the game being abandoned.
The concerns have come about following the final game of Blackpool’s season against Huddersfield being abandoned to a pitch invasion by home supporters in protest against the Oyston family who own their club.
Furthermore, their pre-season friendly against Lancaster City was also abandoned in similar circumstances which has led to a postponement of one pre-season friendly against Morecambe and fears over another against Accrington.
We have contacted both Blackpool FC and the Football League in the last few days to discuss what might happen should the fixture in August suffer in a similar way.
Blackpool FC replied:
As you can see in the club’s Customer Charter our policy is to offer free tickets for the rearranged fixture should the original match have been called off prior to kick-off.
If the game is underway and is then abandoned the club will offer half price tickets for the new fixture.
Hope that answers your question.
Many thanks,
Mark Ridgway Club Journalist
The Football League replied:
As per our Customer Charter we endeavour to respond to communication with 7 working days of receipt.
With regards to your query, this would be determined in relation to the home club’s ticketing policies.
Thank you for contacting The Football League.
Regards,
Andrew Pomfret
Customer Services Department
The Football League Limited
Given that to the best of our knowledge, not a single Huddersfield supporter was refunded in any way when their game in May was abandoned, our concerns have certainly not been satisfied by the responses from Blackpool and the Football League.
The risk of abandonment is down to a set of very unique circumstances at Blackpool, and many supporters are reluctant to spend £25 on a ticket for a game that carries a very real threat of disruption, knowing that the best they could hope for in that eventuality is 50% reduction on the ticket price for a second attempt to fulfil a fixture.
We will continue to be in contact with both Blackpool FC and the Football League in an attempt to ensure supporters are offered a ticket for any rearranged game with no payment required. It is only right and proper that a hosting club offers some form of guarantee to their ability to host a professional fixture.
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