There are a couple of other admittedly smaller issues here that I will be asking the club about that can't be exchanged for a password to stream matches online. I bought a programme subscription at the start of the season, so I'd like to know if I will be getting money back on that. In addition, the terms and conditions of a season ticket clearly state that it also entitles fans to access to all home u23 matches, and I would go to them all work permitting. So I'd also like to know what will be happening there as there's been no mention of u23 games resuming and probably no prospect of online viewing. Much smaller issues agreed but I dont think it is reasonable for the club just to ignore it and hope nothing happens.

I agree, my suspicion is that all the season ticket money has already been spent and accounted for. The only chance of a refund scenario would be if Waggott went cap in hand to the owners and asked one of them to cough up the cash to allow that to happen. I don't think anyone at Rovers, certainly not Waggott, would have the balls at this moment in time to ring the owners up and ask for such a thing. It is less hassle just to tell fans they aren't having it and ride out any negative reaction. As I said earlier, I don't expect any mutiny on the terraces about it. There will be grumbles online and a few complaints going in but most will either just accept it or give up altogether and disappear from Ewood. A fair few will be unhappy but end up going back anyway (myself probably one), a fair few more will probably stop due to the virus irrespective of this but I also think some will simply see this as another reason not to return at a time we cannot be upsetting those fans we have left. I honestly fear for the future of our support base and I don't think the owners or their representatives have the slightest interest or understanding of how decisions like these can upset people and how people remember these sort of things when deciding whether to renew.

So due to FFP we screw our own loyal season ticket holders, in turn likely resulting in a significant drop in buyers next time and for years to come, in turn reducing revenue. See what i am getting at? Even if FFP has played a part in this decision - which isn't mentioned once in the statement (infact the club actually goes further and suggests the club's future and existence is at stake if people get refunds) - it is an extremely short sighted approach - which may well have no relevance in any event if FFP is suspended as surely clubs will demand - but even if it helps us comply by the skin of our teeth this year it damages the club longer term. How are Leeds going to go about refunding 20,000+ season ticket holders if we can't manage less than 8,000? How are Wigan doing it when at risk of the financial strife from relegation? It's about how you see and treat your loyal fans. Once again, and not for the first time in recent seasons, loyal longstanding season ticket holders are taken for granted and are treated poorly by the club. The idea that we should be grateful for access to the remaining games online (even though Sky have done a deal with the EFL to do this and the clubs are receiving their full media income as a result) doesn't sit well with me. As our season ticket base drops away further below 8000 down to 5000 or 6000 at least Waggott can collect his full salary and crack open the bubbly because we didn't break FFP rules and saved some cash on refunds. He's already seen one drop despite promotion after deciding to up the prices on our return to the Championship - good for the balance sheet but bad for bums on seats. A wage deferral, whilst admirable, is not a reduction, cut or loss. The players will still be entitled to that cash, expect to receive it and almost certainly will unless the club is liquidated. The PFA would see to that. I've seen no mention at all of 'short term deductions' from anyone at Rovers - can you tell me where this was stated?

So Covid 19 results in redundancy or wage cut to minimum wage yet a father struggling to make ends meet shouldn't expect £100+ back for him and his sons tickets because? Money that would pay the rent or shopping bills Meanwhile a director takes home £300k salary and we've another 12 months on Charlie Mulgrew's deal for him to sit around not playing because Mowbray doesn't like him any more or giving Ben Gladwin 6 months wage for nothing. Money is there when the right people ask for it.

FFP really is the excuse that keeps on giving at Rovers. People seem to forget that numerous rival clubs have already confirmed refunds will be given to their fans. How do they afford it? Leeds are doing it despite having far more tickets to refund at far greater expense. Their owner has his head screwed on though. The likelihood is that FFP rules will go out the window or at least on ice for the foreseeable with the chaos Covid will bring to clubs and budgets. Even if it doesn't the cost of refunding 8000 paying ST holders is a drop in the ocean compared to our losses and wage bill. Not that guilty clubs are punished anyway. Whatever happened to Derby and Sheffield Wednesday? The same Derby now refunding their 20,000 or so season ticket holders. Good job they dont hide behind FFP excuses and tell their fans to forget about refunds.

I wonder if Waggott has discussed this policy with the owners or instead has pursued it on his own. I wonder because if he is being judged on reducing the burden on the owners it perhaps then indicates why he hasn't gone cap in hand to them to refund supporters, as it would earn him no credit upstairs actually probably the opposite. It seems he gets brownie points for avoiding using their money so probably feels entirely justified in taking this approach. Like with everything at Rovers these days it's all about the short term rather than one eye on the long term state of the club.

All clubs are going to have to be very careful over the coming months to try and keep their core support on side or risk a horrific decline in attendances when this period finally passes. Looking at the Rovers season ticket holder demographic you will have a lot of people in there who will be financially harmed by the virus and lockdown - people who would benefit from 50 or 60 quid back from their season tickets - and who might be unwilling or unable to cough up £350 for another season ticket and simply not renew. You'll have a chunk of people who will get out of matchday habits. If this goes on for many more months people will just realise they are quite content with not going to watch football, habits have changed and once you go down that road it becomes so difficult to get them back into it again. Then you've the supporters in the higher risk category, significant in numbers, who even if football resumes will think twice about putting themselves at additional risk by going to a crowded football match. We aren't in good shape crowd wise as it is. We need to do everything to keep those here happy and give them a reason and incentive to return when this is over. Another chunk of cash to watch boring 2nd division football isnt enough. Unfortunately Waggott as ever is more concerned about short term balance sheets and cash flow as that is what he will be employed on. Whether he knows it or not he's running a steamroller through an already delicate situation. I expect the results to be horrendous. Then he will question loyalty and commitment.

Derby have done

It also implies that the club's future is not secure and that refunds would potentially put the club at risk. So much for kind generous billionaires who care deeply and never say no to writing a cheque. Club isnt at risk through bad management, obscene debts or an astronomical wage bill but is at risk if fans ask for some money back which they should be entitled to. Pretty slimy and underhand stuff here from Waggott. Very much a 'them and us' mentality. Players are great for agreeing a temporary deferral on mega money wages but evil fans wrong for expecting their money back to help pay bills. Quite sick really.

Where is the offer of a refund and how do people go about claiming one? I couldn't see any mention in the statement.

Access being a password for an online stream which Sky are paying them full whack to do. Bit different to hosting a match and allowing fans admission as per the contract they signed up and paid for. Appalling attitude from Rovers and I'll say now (heat of the moment) that unless there is a change or promotion for the next season ticket then I will be giving very serious thought to not renewing. I'm tired of having the mick taken out of me by people who have no affinity to the club on 6 figure salaries only interested in the balance sheets. People wondered why I went mad at Ben Gladwin being handed a 6 month contract to do nothing. Well here we are and I'm out of pocket with the club pleading poverty. Top paid director salary doubled in last set of accounts. Can be he won't be picking up a loss. Take season ticket holders for granted at your peril. So far we've had freebies by the thousand in the BBE upper and now refunds for match ticket holders but season ticket holders can forget it. Roll up for the next 1875 membership just to ensure I can get away tickets which regular buyers should get anyway. The true shame will be when most rivals do offer refunds. Pretty sure Barnsley and Wigan have already confirmed it. Waggot's modus operandi is to use guilt and comments about loyalty and 'all in it together'. Corry Evans is committed because he's signed a new 4 year contract. Are you committed?

An entirely predictable approach by Rovers which has been inevitable since the season was curtailed. It will be interesting to see how many simply accept it and how many take it further and demand their money back. I'm not sure on the legalities of it as the terms and conditions and customer charter dont appear to address circumstances in which paid fans are unable to be given access to the ground. There is clearly something unfair and wrong when those who bought single match tickets can claim a replacement for a future fixture whilst no such benefits for loyal season ticket holders. I thought season ticket holders got the benefits and best value? Seemingly not. They havent even answered their own questions. No answer to what happens if you don't have internet or computer despite them asking the question. Very disappointed with this approach. I suspect our Championship rivals will put us to shame. There will inevitably be a backlash. It might not be an avalanche of people with pitchforks demanding money but instead a sharp decline in future renewals. Reap what you sow I could buy into the community spirit stuff if I could see sacrifices being made by the very well paid players, coaches or executives. I don't see that though.

Every division should be treated the same and adopt the same approach. That's the idea behind The Football League. Member clubs big or small each have a share and a say. If one division cannot conclude due to Covid then none should conclude. If 3 can conclude then they should pool their resources (vast) to ensure the rest can conclude. If it was 1985 the whole lot would have gone. The only reason the top 2 are continuing is due to the obscene amount of money on offer that clubs are now utterly dependent on, meaning they have to do as instructed by the media companies or risk them pulling the plug on funding. Anyone who thinks the top 2 divisions are carrying on because they want to do the right thing, boost morale or whatever excuse they come out with needs to get a grip. Sky want like football and they will make sure they get it to their captive audience sat at home with nothing else to do. Good news for those who enjoy their football on TV but bad news for the league pyramid and its future. A frankly laughable situation with different leagues doing all different things. It is a disgrace. Once again the governing bodies nowhere to be seen allowing clubs to make their own minds up on what happens.

I expect there will be some sort of rescue package put in place using some of the media and Premier League money to at least give the impression that the rich clubs have 'done their bit' to try and avoid disaster for the minnows. Unfortunately this may not be enough, and it will also probably come with caveats that the small clubs will be unable to resist. Expect Guardiola's desire for B teams in the Football League or feeder clubs to gain ground. Expect rule changes e.g. permanent mid season breaks, more power for the Prem clubs etc. All sold to the public as a necessary evil to stop clubs going bust.

How can it be right that Luton, Barnsley, Hull etc. have to conclude a 46 game tough Championship season and get relegated to League One at the end of it whilst being replaced by Coventry or Rotherham who have played less than a full season at a lower level?

Quite funny that the PPG system has knocked Peterborough out of the play offs and propelled Wycombe up to 3rd. Their owner and Fergie will be fuming. In normal circumstances I'd be of the view that Coventry should be denied promotion given they dont have a stadium. But since games next year will be shut to fans it probably doesn't make much difference. A little sympathy for Tranmere who were putting up a good fight for survival but now get relegated but then again Southend and Bolton fully deserve relegation and no sympathy there. Both have been awful and it would be a travesty if either survived on a technicality. I see there are still questions about relegation out of the League. I wonder what they will do with a space to fill due to Bury's demise. It seems there is a chance they will knock more points off Macclesfield which could see them go instead of Stevenage. With Barrow likely to come up and 4 quite northern clubs in the play off spots in the conference I expect to see the EFL give Stevenage a reprieve. They won't want to relegate a southern club and tip the balance towards the north. I wonder why Bolton didn't face punishment for not paying players whilst Macclesfield have already had 11 points deducted and could face more....

Monk has left under a cloud or odd circumstances from every club he has been at. He's only about 40 and yet has gone through 5 clubs in the same number of years. Its never been a case of him being sacked because results have been poor or their League position being a problem. He left Leeds when they nearly got into the playoffs, Middlesbrough when they were in the top 6 or very near, Birmingham in strange circumstances after most felt he had done well keeping them steady during the Ffp problems. Lee Carsley is being linked to the job today.

Sky will be sorting the fixtures out. Just need to make sure it is all set up to maximise their 'show' and viewing figures, especially if they can get every one of Leeds' remaining games on for everyone to enjoy.

Fair enough, must be someone picking calls up then. I know that emails haven't been getting responses and the vast majority of staff have been furloughed in which case they aren't allowed to speak.

I don't think it is that difficult. Once the league and Sky have decided what is happening, or should i say once Sky have told the league what is happening, then it should be reasonably straight forward to sort something out. I don't see why you need to analyse purchasing histories of fans. If you have a season ticket, or half season ticket, or had bought tickets for the 4 remaining games, then you should be entitled to a refund if the club isn't allowing you access to watch the games when they happen. In terms of contacting everyone I'm sure the club will have either an email or postal address for every season ticket holder and can send a standard uniform email out to them once approved with a few clicks on a computer. In terms of someone in the ticket office I don't think they are doing anything at this moment in time, same applies to most non footballing staff at the club. As I understand it the place went into lockdown in late March and hasn't really opened since. Other than for online shopping. I think if you try ringing them now you won't get through to anyone because they are all at home on furlough. As Derby have shown a simple 5 point scheme offering an option for everyone can be rolled out. More than enough there to satisfy the vast majority of people. Clearly a different option to suit every individual's preferences isnt realistic but it should more or less follow the route of a) donation to club b) pro rata refund c) reduction on future purchases e.g. discount on next season (this option needs to be weighted to encourage as many as possible to renew rather than accept a cash refund). I don't think the club is really alive to the longer term implications of getting this wrong or leaving it too long. They need to be getting people tied down to new season tickets quickly and i suspect the only way they are going to do that with some people is by offering an incentive or discount. If that isn't done then sales will plummet and then we'll spend the next few years blaming Covid and feeling sorry for ourselves whilst other clubs recover quickly and retain supporters.

I totally get where you are coming from with this. The problem is that over a number of years the club has added to its online offerings, whilst introducing things such as 'Club Cash' which have all been developed alongside one another rather than under one umbrella. Last year you needed about 4 different log ins to access everything - one for the club shop, one for tickets, one for club cash and one for I Follow. I think they have tried to address this by developing the 'My Rovers' account to bring everything under one account and password but it certainly isn't without its problems. One of my mates has a season ticket for his young granddaughter - apparently she needs her own account and unique email address to set it up with in order to redeem club cash - quite how someone who has just gone to primary school is expected to set up and manage their own email address I'm not sure. It's over complicated and difficult, even for someone who spends all day on computers like I do.

I see several managers are upset about resuming on 20th June saying it is too soon. Barnsley, Sheff Wed and QPR managers all moaning. I suspect there's absolutely no chance of a delay now that Sky have gone public with their coverage

Highest paid director on £300,000 per annum. We assume that's Waggott, might be someone else.

The issue I have is i expect Rovers will consider the offer of Ifollow as an adequate or fair replacement of a season ticket, but it isn't. I live in a house with another season ticket holder, plus an ex season ticket holder. So between us we've 3 quite keen Rovers fans, two who have paid close to £700 for the season and are circa £100 down on the 4 missed games. Now i don't accept that a pass to watch it on a TV which we all have access to is the same as admission to the ground. Per game my season ticket is just over £15 in the JW. Supposedly the cheapest way to watch Rovers per game. Yet if my understanding is correct then Joe Bloggs who never had a season ticket can watch games for £10 a time, or for nothing if he shares a house with someone else who has Ifollow access.

It isn't my fault either, so why should i relinquish money that i've handed over for goods undelivered? I am undecided on whether to request one, but I am struggling to feel guilty or uncomfortable when I see players turning up in Range Rovers at Brockhall on £10,000+ a week, none of whom have taken any wage reduction, whilst i have also lost income during this period. I struggle to feel uncomfortable when Steve Waggott is set to collect his £300,000 for the year whilst yet again it is the regular average season ticket holders expected to pick up the tab because of their loyalty. I agree the silence is poor from the club. I was looking at Derby's website earlier. They've announced 5 options for season ticket holders: Pro rata refund 20% off next years season ticket 10% off next years season ticket with free subscription for BCD games 4 x match ticket vouchers for next season No refund - donate to the club A very fair, sensible and effective way of dealing with it. An option for everyone, an incentive to renew next season, an option for those who pick their games, an option for those who want to walk away from their money and not claim it. Lets see if Rovers can come up with something remotely this reasonable. I expect not. If it was I'm almost certain I'd go for option 2 and be quite happy about it. I'd like to think a lot of others would do the same thus ensuring a healthy renewal level for next season whilst also ensuring immediate cash flow isn't harmed.