EFL Championship Team Home Games Season Ticket Refund

MLHOBBS80

Hi, I'm hoping I'm in the right area here but really need advice on how to handle this. 

We have been season ticket holders to a championship football team for years. In the 19/20 season we agreed to accept a reduction on the 20/21 ticket and tv screening to the club TV channel to enable us to watch the team home games from the comfort of our home. In Sept 2020 we had the option to get a refund which we opted for and were advised we are in the queue and that the TV service would remain until the refund was processed. Well, in November 2020 the TV code was revoked and we still await a refund, as do hundreds of other fans (I know this from the Facebook groups, many are complaining)  on emailing to chase we are just told we are in a queue. 

Upon speaking to friends it seems the rival team to the area (also EFL Championship) have been forthcoming in refunding fans, they have done that on a monthly basis for each home game which could not be attended - makes perfect sense to me. 

We were told not to cancel direct debits as it would invalidate the season ticket (of which we have no benefits of), so a payment was still taken in December. I am extremely frustrated now as I really feel we are being taken for mugs, will we ever see our money again? How are we best to challenge them, I have emailed today saying if I do not have a refund by the end of the week, I will be seeking further advice from the omsbudman, but I haven't a clue on how to do this - HELP PLEASE!

Thrugelmir

Cancel the direct debit. Your choice as to whether you want to financially support your club or not. 

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth

I assume that your season ticket was bought using a credit agreement. Cancelling the Direct Debit will not absolve you from concluding this agreement.

It may be interesting as to what section 75 support this would off as you are not able to attend if this is the case.

As for continued support, if a neigbouring club is refunding its fans, I would vote with my feet with regard future support.

AntoMac

My Bristol City season ticket is refunded on the basis you describe above. We have the option to pay 10 pounds a time to watch each match online.
What have the club said? I think some clubs are in a real mess financially. Not Wednesday is it? 

MLHOBBS80

AntoMac said:

My Bristol City season ticket is refunded on the basis you describe above. We have the option to pay 10 pounds a time to watch each match online.
What have the club said? I think some clubs are in a real mess financially. Not Wednesday is it? 

Hi, No its not Wednesday, its Derby County and they are in the process of a takeover..... doubtful it will happen as historically the new buyers pulled out last minute on another purchase. They are in such a mess but I am constantly fobbed off that we are in the queue. I was hoping Martin Lewis (and Team) could help. 

AntoMac

Ah yes the noise around the takeover not likely to be helping then. I can’t offer any practical advice unfortunately. Football is in a right mess with loss if income. Some of our fans moan about our ‘unambitious’ owner but sounds like things a bit turbulent at Derby and many other clubs. Good luck. Sorry your club are messing you around. Unfortunately as football fans we can’t switch clubs! 

MLHOBBS80

So I cancelled the direct debit...... And got a crappy auto email saying I still owe funds to Derby County 🤦🏻‍♀️ obviously I don't, they owe me. 

[Deleted User]

MLHOBBS80 said:

So I cancelled the direct debit...... And got a crappy auto email saying I still owe funds to Derby County 🤦🏻‍♀️ obviously I don't, they owe me. 

Cancelling a direct debit doesn't remove your responsibility to make payments for a financial product you took out a contract on.

If you technically owe them money e.g. you agreed to pay for the season ticket by finance, expect to see various legal threats, fees etc on top eventually ending up with a CCJ

MLHOBBS80

Deleted_User said:

MLHOBBS80 said:

So I cancelled the direct debit...... And got a crappy auto email saying I still owe funds to Derby County 🤦🏻‍♀️ obviously I don't, they owe me. 

Cancelling a direct debit doesn't remove your responsibility to make payments for a financial product you took out a contract on.

If you technically owe them money e.g. you agreed to pay for the season ticket by finance, expect to see various legal threats, fees etc on top eventually ending up with a CCJ

Understood but surely the contract is null and void if they cant deliver football games. They also revoked the TV subscription code in November which they said they wouldnt do until the refund was issued... To me it seems they are the ones in breach? TBH It looks like they will be in administration next week if this sale isnt completed - I guess we have nothing then either?

JJ_Egan

No the Administrators handle debts including yours .

nic_c

Generally ST money is important to smaller clubs (TV money for Championship is a pittance when compared to Premier League), and often it can be a case of managing cash flow as why they can be a delay with refunds. After all if it was postponing your refund in lieu of the next season's ticket (effectively loaning it to your club for free) meant you club avoided administration, most may be willing to do so.

In the case of potential administration, do you know whether there has been any ring-fencing of ST funds? This has been known previously to protect fans.