ALBION fans have given their reaction to the new refund scheme announced by the club over season tickets.

Fans can now claim a refund on 75 per cent of 2020-21 season-tickets or 1901 Club memberships with the chance to use or claim the rest of the money back later.

One reader told The Argus he was “very glad” the club had decided to refund ticket holders.

He said: “I was extremely critical on the weekend re introducing PPV (pay per view) and the fact all my season ticket money for this season has been with the Albion since March. I’m very glad to say this makes sense to fans, allows all, depending on circumstances, to choose what is best for them and ensures those who don’t mind the PPV option do not have to fork out additional expense on that already laid out. Thank you Albion.”

The 75 per cent refund can be claimed on receipt of an email (sent by the club) confirming each individual’s personal amount due or, if preferred, at a later date to suit each individual’s own personal financial needs.

The rest will be used this season if fans are allowed back in, or deducted from next season’s price for fans who do not get to return to The Amex.

They can claim the full refund later if they cancel their season ticket. Another fan responded to The Argus story, stating it was a “wonderful gesture by the club” while another said “well I must say that seems very fair minded and very welcome too”.

One reader stated “this a comprehensive breakdown of Albion’s commitment to remain a community-minded club. Fair play to all”.

Another reader wrote: “Good on the club, leading the way again.

“Hopefully all the other clubs will do something similar, if they haven’t already, fans come first.”

Paul Barber, chief executive and deputy chairman, explained to fan Adam Walker about how the club considered government guidance in its decision making.

Mr Walker, 46, has been a season ticket holder for over a decade and questioned Mr Barber in a fans Q&A.

He asked why his parents Clifford, 87, who is disabled, and Sandra, 72, had been required to continue paying for their season ticket if they had chosen to shield.

He said “I do appreciate the fact you are offering that refund to people who have been paying for their season tickets, I think that’s only fair and right.”

Mr Barber said he was sorry to hear about Mr Walker’s parents’ situation and that it was a fair question.

He said: “To be perfectly honest we had to draw a line somewhere in the sand as to how we were going to deal with the situation we were facing.

“Unfortunately I don’t have a script on how best to manage the situation that covers every single eventuality so I try and look for guides from various places as to what the fairest thing to do is, balancing the needs of supporters and the club.

“And on the medical issue we decided that when the government released the policy that meant people of a certain age with certain conditions had to shield, we took the guide of those people that still had to shield as those that would get the priority when it came to refunds.”

He said he did not want the club to act as judge and jury on who deserved a refund and therefore used the government guidance.

He said that Mr Walker’s parents will be fully refunded anyway under the new process.