Lifelong Sheffield Wednesday fan ‘disgusted’ with club as season ticket refund saga goes on

Craig Bowman, 44, is among many Wednesdayites who still have no idea when they will get their money back for the five home games missed at the end of the 2019/20 season due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Bolsover-based dad-of-two attended his first game aged four and sits in The Kop on matchdays with his dad Keith, 77, and 14-year-old son Taylor, who also have season tickets.

He says: "I just want some clarity on it. I feel let down, massively let down when you have supported them for so long.

"I have put a lot of money into that club over the years. and this is how you get treated. I think it's disgusting really. I'm not happy, I'm baffled by it all."

More than 8,000 Owls fans – about 55 per cent of season ticket holders – applied for a refund.

They were told to expect their money back by the end of October, but the club claimed refunds have been delayed because of the implementation of a new ticketing system and them receiving more applications than expected.

Craig, who works in a carpet shop adds: “It's simply not good enough. I know it's not hundreds but that's not the point.

“I'm not asking for a definite date, just an estimate. It's not the monetary value it's them not being able to tell me anything.”

A friend of his and fellow season ticket holder who applied 29 days before him got his money back three months ago, but the club were unable to Craig when he would receive his refund when he spoke to a staff member this week.

Last month Owls chairman Dejphon Chansiri guaranteed all fans who have asked for money back will get it “in the end”.

On the issue of season ticket refunds for fans, he previously said: “They say they are a fan, a supporter, but sometimes they act like a customer or maybe worse than a customer.

"Everybody know we need cash.”

Craig, who is owed more than £100, says: "I take what the chairman assures with a pinch of salt.

“If I don't get it back they won't get another penny of my money. It's a big part of our life because we have been going for so long but I'm willing to wash my hands with them while he's there.”

A Sheffield Wednesday spokesperson did not confirm the number of refunds still outstanding when asked by The Star.

They said: “Ticket refund applications for the 2019/20 season are currently being actioned.

"The first date on which supporters could apply was 29th June, when we received the lion’s share of applications and it is likely the supporter’s friend was one of the first to apply. The process remains hugely protracted and whilst we cannot pinpoint an exact date on which each refund will be actioned, we can assure every supporter who has applied that they will receive their refund in full.”