Existing season ticket holders have until tomorrow to renew their seats for 2020/21 at the same price as last season.

Town recently made season tickets available to current holders at the same price as last season but with a number of additional benefits. Details of the regular early bird pricing will be announced in the weeks to come.

It’s understood that most of the 8,000 season ticket holders who pay for their seats using the club’s interest-free Direct Debit scheme have opted to continue making those payments despite the uncertainty surrounding both the current season and when fans might be allowed in stadiums to watch the next campaign.

The Blues, who have put virtually all their off-field staff on furlough, are losing out on income totalling seven figures during the coronavirus lockdown.

Town estimate that a home game - of which they still have five to play during 2019/20 - brings in around £150,000 via match tickets and revenue from programmes, food and drink, retail sales, mascot packages and hospitality.

In addition, they are losing out on around £40,000 a week through not being able to hire out Portman Road’s facilities to companies in the week and with the Planet Blue club shop closed, while the cancellation of sponsorships and events such as the end-of-season dinner and golf day are costing around £100,000 a month.

Normally, season ticket sales would be worth around £600,000 a month during the months from May, although given the restricted initial sale the Blues are expecting a lower income over that period this summer.

Owner Evans is covering the club’s costs during the current situation with EFL sides without a benefactor facing a tougher outlook as football faces a major financial crisis triggered by the coronavirus shutdown.

To illustrate the club’s commitment to the NHS, Evans has pledged to personally donate five per cent of the resultant revenue received by May 7th to the health service locally.

In an open letter to all season ticket holders last month, Evans outlined Town’s approach: “We know that many fans will have their own economic concerns and whilst the club will be financially at a loss due to the pandemic my priority has been to find a way to ensure that we keep season ticket prices as low as possible.

“I am therefore giving our existing season ticket holders a chance to renew now, pre-early bird, at the same price as last season with some special additional benefits and also so that they can continue to use the very popular interest-free Direct Debit scheme.

“To allay any concerns you may have if any matches next season are played behind closed doors, please note that we are adding four major benefits for all season ticket holders renewing by May 7th.

“Subject to the technology being in place you will receive free Internet viewing of any behind-closed-doors home match for next season and in addition for any behind-closed-doors match as extra compensation you will also receive a complimentary ticket to a home cup match, so long as there are still cup matches in the season and also two free tickets for guests to join you at the next available league home game in season 2020/21 as another make good for the loss of a game behind closed doors.

“In addition, if we play in League One next season and are promoted to the Championship for season 2021/22, then all those purchases made by May 7th will have a guaranteed price freeze for season 2021/22.”

He added: “I fully understand that some of you may wish to wait until there is greater clarity as to when next season will start and there will be an early bird ticket offer announced in due course.

“This will be at an attractive price but not at the same price, or with the same additional benefits as the above price freeze renewal offer as we will need to take account of the financial implications of the pandemic at that time - unless of course we secure promotion and then all price freeze promises made for 2019/20 will apply.”

Photo: Action Images

londontractorboy57 added 16:48 - May 6 For all those that slag Evans off you couldn't want a better owner in times like this.
3

carlisleaway added 17:47 - May 6 How can London Tractor Boy be downvoted, he is right back the badge and support the club if you are in a financially stable way.
4

Bluearmy_81 added 06:53 - May 7 Shocking by the club.
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rabbit added 08:22 - May 7 Bluearmy_81 your synopsis on an article is once again appreciated, but I'm not quite sure what you find shocking about this article, please explain.
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essextractorboy93 added 08:40 - May 7 Not committing to buying a season ticket for a season where most games are likely to be behind closed doors. Just doesn't make any sense.
4

TractorRoyNo1 added 08:43 - May 7 Or just throw your money on the bbq
3

Northstandveteran added 09:38 - May 7 What they are not saying is that if you wait until after Thursday, it will probably be cheaper! As technically, that would mean Thursday is the last day to renew at last year's prices!
0

runningout added 13:40 - May 7 Surely delaying season ticket current price a little longer would be nice
1

dirtydingusmagee added 14:02 - May 7 killer disease ,forecast of deepest recession for 300 yrs and still people thinking about how season ends and renewing season tickets. WAKE UP ,Football wont be coming home anytime soon, Football is about money, there wont be any .
2

Dolphinblue added 16:02 - May 7 Thank God for Evans! Club saviour!
3

rabbit added 07:51 - May 8 Dolphin it is indeed fortunate that it seems we do have a benefactor to help through this dreadful time for the world, we can only hope that his core business is able to sustain because if not there will be real problems. Bluearmy_81 thank you for reading my previous post on this page directed at you, I quite understand that you wrote without thinking and are too embarrassed to respond.

1

Razor added 11:30 - May 8 Well Evans has let us slip in to this mess (football wise) so it is only right that he stands by us now.
1

BeattiesBackPocket added 18:18 - May 8 Razor exactly. Tbh the most important thing isn't football at this moment and maybe it would've been better holding off the season tickets when we may not be able t actually go till after the EFL has had their respective meetings. If I was a player I'd probably not want to be rolling about on a pitch with bodily fluids on it and being in contact with many other players. Also Every single club is in the crapper and those without benefactors will still get through it. I'm not letting the fact this has happened dull the fact we have gone from championship challengers with a 30 mill debt to average at best league one team and falling lower with 90 million debt and nothing to show for it.

3

TractorRoyNo1 added 18:16 - May 10 Chap goes online, TV is £499, ok. When can I get it? Don't know. Will it come with iplayer? Don't know. Will it have BBC2? Don't know, if not definitely BBC3 When do I pay? 12 months interest free credit if you buy today. How much is next week? £549 Umm I'll wait, thanks.
1

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