We have been absolutely blown away by the passionate backing we’ve had from our supporters since the Coronavirus pandemic began.
Not only have more than half of our Season Ticket Holders already committed to next season, but we’ve been inundated with messages on social media, phone calls and emails from supporters to let us know they will stand with us, come what may. Many of our supporters have also been incredibly patient throughout this uncertain time, and waited to find out implications for their memberships or individual match tickets until we were given more information regarding the recommencement of matches.
With the squad now back in tightly-controlled individual and small group training at Franklin’s Gardens, and with a provisional return date for Gallagher Premiership matches from 15 August, it is clear that now is the appropriate time to set out Northampton Saints’ plan for all supporters who have purchased tickets for the remaining matches of the 2019/20 campaign – including our Season Ticket Holders.
We have today announced the ‘We March Together’ ticketing plan, which gives all ticket holders four options for the remaining balance of their tickets – DONATE, CREDIT, VOUCHER and REFUND. These options are explained in detail within the ‘We March Together’ plan, and you can read all the information for yourself by CLICKING HERE and by checking our Frequently Asked Questions page.
In recent weeks, we’ve been humbled by the number of supporters who have reached out and offered to donate the remaining cost of their Season Tickets or individual match tickets back to the Club. This is incredibly thoughtful and generous; any money donated back will be a substantial help in helping us navigate the very choppy waters we – like many other businesses – currently find ourselves in.
I firmly believe the Club has handled the situation well to date, moving quickly to control our cost base (which continues to include all of our players and staff agreeing to take lasting salary reductions) whilst protecting our revenue streams and ensuring we have an open and transparent dialogue with our key stakeholders and loyal supporters. But the fact is we remain in a significant battle to ensure the financial sustainability of Northampton Saints, which is why any donations made through the ‘We March Together’ plan will go such a long way.
On the other hand, since matches were postponed some of our supporters have – completely reasonably – expressed a desire to claim a refund from the Club, given the intense financial difficulties the pandemic has presented to many individuals and families. We wholeheartedly understand; everyone’s circumstances are different, and we thank you all for your continued support.
Therefore we have presented a range of options within the ‘We March Together’ plan, and I am confident that these are fair and will cover the wishes of all of our Season Ticket Holders, match ticket purchasers and seasonal parking members.
In sharing this plan today, we are being pragmatic about the likelihood of matches resuming behind closed doors or with a limited capacity crowd when they restart later in the summer. Our supporters have been extremely patient since fixtures were originally postponed back in March, and we felt it better to make options available now, rather than delaying things any further.
Should crowds be allowed, in any form, at any of the remaining fixtures in our 2019/20 season, we will outline a specific process for obtaining tickets closer to those matches. For now though, all existing 2019/20 Season Tickets and match tickets will become invalid with immediate effect. This decision allows us to begin processing all donations, credits, vouchers and refunds from today.
We will continue to update you all with any news concerning the remainder of the 2019/20 season as soon as we are able, and everyone at Saints – from the players and coaches, to the commercial team and support staff – is spurred on by the thought of welcoming everyone back to the Gardens whenever we are able to create a sea of Black, Green and Gold once again.
Thank you again for your ongoing and unrivalled support. We need it more now than ever.
WE MARCH TOGETHER.
Mark Darbon
Chief Executive
