Fan groups deliver Portsmouth praise over 'sensible' flexi season ticket

On Monday evening, the Blues unveiled their concept to replace season tickets for the forthcoming 2020-21 campaign.

The season will begin behind closed doors, while the eventual reintroduction of supporters is likely to be in reduced numbers.

As a consequence, Pompey have created a £25 scheme which allows fans to retain their seats for 2021-22.

In addition, they can purchase match tickets this term on a rota basis.

Supporters have given their verdict on the creation of the flexi season ticket.

And Pompey Supporters’ Trust chairman Simon Colebrook has praised the club’s willingness to seek out opinion from the Tony Goodall Fans’ Conference and Heritage & Advisory board before its implementation.

He said: ‘This is a really good example of engagement and consultation with the fanbase.

‘What has come back is something we’re happy with and, from what I have seen, social media are broadly in favour of it.

‘We have long felt that it was important that people had the option to renew in 2021-22. The club took that on board very early in our discussions

‘Not everybody is going to feel safe about attending football next season. Some have had the same seats for decades – it’s only right they keep them when we hopefully go back to normality.

‘I look at other clubs and some have done such a bad job on their season tickets.

‘Cardiff are charging the same season ticket price as last year, with no refunds if behind closed doors and no reduction if playing in front of a reduced capacity. Instead you get an iFollow pass for the game.

‘Sunderland at first tried to pitch it at full price with no iFollow pass and no refunds. Then the fans’ backlash meant they had to change it.

‘What Pompey offer is a sensible way forward. It’s a fairly low cost with an option to attend matches on a rota basis. This gives everybody a fair shout.’

Pompey Independent Supporters’ Association (PISA) was also pleased with the outcome of the flexi season ticket.

As with the Trust, the group were consulted during the process through the Tony Goodall Fans’ Conference.

Spokesman Barry Dewing added: ‘They have to try to get some cash flow into the club – and I don’t think there is any simple answer.

‘Some fans are reluctant to attend on health grounds for the forthcoming season. This gives them the chance to keep hold of their seat.

‘It’s not going to please everyone considering how the fanbase is at the moment, there’s an element just waiting to criticise everything.

‘But we must remember it is very hard for football clubs at the minute, nobody can be certain when supporters will be allowed back into grounds.

‘Pompey are one of the few clubs not offering a season ticket for a campaign in which you cannot promise when fans will attend.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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