Kicking Newcastle Falcons ticket trouble into touch

Sep 5 2010 by Mr Justice, Sunday Sun

YOUR consumer champ has converted a complaint about Newcastle Falcons Rugby Club into a compliment.

I earned my cap after tackling the club for a fan who wanted a refund on his season ticket.

Bosses agreed to his request after I lined up on John Banks’s side in the dispute.

John had try-d to sort it out himself but the club had originally refused to help.

And that’s when he invited me to join the scrum.

The dispute was about the scheduling of some matches on Friday nights to suit coverage on satellite TV. John, a long-time supporter and season ticket holder, could not attend the matches because of work commitments.

Dates had been set after he purchased his season ticket when he expected matches to be held on the traditional match day of Sunday.

John, 60, of Leam Lane, Gateshead, said: “I have been a loyal supporter of Newcastle Falcons Rugby since the days of professionalism and a season ticket holder for the past SIX years.

“The problem I have is that a lot of games take place on a Friday night at 8pm because of television rights.

“I have explained to the club that as I work in Birtley as a caretaker, often working late on Friday, I will find it impossible to get to Friday night games as I found out last season when some of the games were switched.

“I have asked the club for a refund for the season ticket I purchased for the 2010-2011 season which I obtained as an Early Bird application before the previous season was over.

“They replied saying I was not eligible for a refund as they never said before I bought the ticket when the matches would be held.”

John was referred to the club’s terms and conditions. John’s season ticket cost £150 at pensioner’s rates.