Bristol Rovers manager Darrell Clarke outraged with Swindon Town ticket charges
Thursday 1 September 2016 08:27, UK
Bristol Rovers manager Darrell Clarke has described Swindon Town's decision to charge fans for new tickets for their re-arranged match as "disgraceful".
The Sky Bet League One fixture, which was held last Saturday, was abandoned after 60 minutes after torrential rain caused a waterlogged pitch.
Adult tickets for the re-arranged fixture at County Ground will cost up to £25.
"Shocking, absolutely disgraceful. It's ridiculous for me, that is taking the mickey," Clarke told BBC Radio Bristol.
"I've never heard of that to be honest with you. If a game gets abandoned, you get your ticket refunded or you get a ticket to go and watch the replay of the game.
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"For me, it undermines football. It's the general punters that miss out. I'm certainly not happy about that."
Swindon are thought to have made the decision to charge supporters full price due to high policing costs - despite angry protests from Bristol Rovers supporters.
A statement on the club website said:
"Swindon Town would like to advise supporters that the club must still cover match-day costs as they would for any home game."
Mike Welsh, vice-chair of Swindon Town's supporters' trust has also urged the club to re-assess their decision.
"Supporters were asked to keep their tickets stubs,
"We thought the club could have reached out to the fans and sought some middle ground," Welsh told BBC Wiltshire.
"The club know perfectly well what they can do about it. The ball is very much in their court. We encourage them to come back, have a rethink and see if we can meet the fans halfway."
The Football League were contacted regarding the matter, but backed the decision made by Swindon Town.
