Season Ticket Release – Update
Following last week's announcement of our controlled season ticket launch for the 2020/21 season, we are now able to provide supporters with the following additional information.
When will the season start?
The National League has announced that the 2020/21 season will start on 3rd October 2020 and will conclude in June 2021 (subject to FA approval), anticipating that “ground capacities will be significantly reduced from normal levels”.
The “socially distanced” capacity for Victoria Park will be assessed in compliance with ongoing government guidance and in conjunction with the Local Authority. We will provide details of our working capacity as soon as we are in a position to do so.
When can I apply for my season ticket?
The ‘Season Ticket 2020/21 Application Form' can now be downloaded by clicking here:
Season-Ticket-202021-Application-FormDownload
Hand-deliver your Application:
o Place your completed application form in an envelope and write your name, date and time of delivery on the front of that envelope.
o Due to Covid restrictions, unless you are paying by cash, please use the drop off point at the Ticket Office window on Clarence Road to submit your completed envelopes/Forms and do not enter main reception. This drop off point will be available from 10:00AM tomorrow (Friday 31 July) and reopen on Monday at 10:00AM.
o Please note that the Club's main office reception will ONLY be open for the collection of click and collect retail orders and the submission of cash season ticket applications - NOT for answering routine ticket queries or any non-cash season ticket applications. You will be issued a receipt for any cash paid.
Covid protocols must be strictly adhered to in the main office reception:
· Only one person will be permitted within the main reception area at any one time;
· Wear an appropriate face mask;
· Sanitise your hands prior to, and upon leaving, the main reception area;
· Any queues building outside the main reception must maintain a 2 metres gap between individuals;
Post your Application:
o Post your completed Application Form and payment to:
Hartlepool United FC
Victoria Park
Clarence Road
Hartlepool
TS24 8BZ
Email your application:
o You can email your completed ‘Season Ticket 2020/21 Application Form', with card payment details to tickets@hartlepoolunited.co.uk
I cannot download a Form from a computer. How can I make sure I do not miss out on my application?
We understand that many supporters may not have access to a computer or be able to come to the Club. We would therefore encourage friends, family and other supporters to make sure that any supporters who are struggling with the application process are helped in whatever way they need, by printing (or collecting) an Application Form on their behalf.
In addition, a number of ‘Season Ticket 2020/21 Application Forms' will be placed next to the main office reception for collection.
Note due to Covid protocols, there won't be any pens available.
We are applying for our season tickets as friends/family, what do we need to do?
You will need to complete one form per person and place them in an envelope so that they are kept together and processed at the same time.
Can I spread payments for my season tickets?
We are pleased to announce that, within the last couple of days, Moneywise Credit Union have once again agreed to provide supporters with the opportunity to spread their payments in an affordable manner. Please note due to the delay to the start of the season, the loan period is now spread over 6 months instead of 10 months as previous. Click here for details of the Moneywise finance option:
Moneywise-Finance-Option-2020-21Download
As in previous years, Moneywise will carry out independent credit checks on your application where you have indicated on the ‘Season Ticket 2020/21 Application Form' that you wish to make use of this payment method. You do not need to include your card details on the Season Ticket Application Form, Moneywise will send you a direct link via email to complete your finance application. Please note if you are declined for finance, the Club will be informed accordingly and we will ask for an alternative payment method before canceling your Season Ticket application.
As an existing concessionary season ticket holder, do I need to provide ID proof again?
If you have previously provided your proof of age for a child/senior or Armed Forces season ticket last season you do not need to produce this paperwork as part of the application process (note, you may be required to produce evidence prior to your season ticket being issued), however, students will need to produce their NUS card. Please note due to annual reviews carried out by the Local Authority (which can increase or reduce a person's disability status level), those who are in receipt of enhanced rate PIP/high rate DLA and are applying for a free carer will need to enclose (or email) a copy of their most recent paperwork to the Club. Anyone applying for any new concessionary season tickets this season (Senior/Armed Forces/Student/Under 19/Under 16/Under 12/Under 5/Carer) must enclose (or email) the relevant proof to the Club. To qualify for the child-related concession rates, you must be under that particular age bracket as at 1 August 2020, similarly seniors need to be 65 or over on this date.
In the event of a restricted capacity at Victoria Park, how will the ticket allocation be prioritised?
The accumulation of Loyalty Points over the last 3 years would have provided the ideal mechanism to reward the consistent loyalty of our supporters in prioritising ticket allocations. Unfortunately, we are unable prioritise in this way at present.
We have listened to supporter feedback from our ‘intention to launch' release last week, and we feel that the first come, first served approach is the most practical method to use. However, we accept that additional priority should be given to season ticket renewals, rather than any new applicants.
What about the 4 matches from last season that I did not get to see, yet I paid for through my season ticket?
If every season ticket holder from last year claimed their refund, the Club would lose more than £82,000 of cash. Refunds left with the Club by the same ticket holders can be considered donations, which allows the Club to seek potentially £14,000 in reclaimed VAT.
We have been overwhelmed with the number of supporters who have offered to waive their refund for 4 those matches. Whilst the ongoing sustainability of the Club remains paramount, your generosity at this time will help us reduce the impact of potential reduced crowds and sponsorship as the 2020/21 season unfolds and provide us with a further opportunity to strengthen our playing squad.
In return for leaving your 4 unfulfilled matches from last season within the Club by way of donation, we will issue you with 5 Loyalty Points. In addition, we will provide you with 2 ‘golden' matchday tickets that you will be able to distribute to family or friends at your discretion. Full details around the distribution and use of these golden tickets will be made available in due course.
If we do not hear from you by 31 August 2020, your refund will automatically be donated to the Club. Any refund application must be submitted to the Club's ticket office in writing before that date.
If my application is unsuccessful and I am placed on a waiting list, will the Club take my payment?
No payments will be taken, or banked, by the Club once the 1,000 applications have been reached. All applications above the initial 1,000 will be placed on a waiting list pending our ability to issue a fresh tranche of tickets.
The Club will provide regular updates through official media channels on the number of tickets that are applied for. We will be collating applications from a combination of postal, email and hand-delivered applicants to accommodate the diversity of preferred application methods across our supporter base.
If my application is unsuccessful and I am placed on a waiting list, what will happen to my seat?
All season ticket holders renewing their seats from last year will have their allocated seat reserved, unless we are notified of a desire to change it. This will also apply to all subsequent tranches of season ticket releases that we may be able to issue as further guidance on our working capacity emerges from government guidelines and the approval of the Local Authority.