Lewes Football Club has launched a community ticket scheme to help those that are worst affected during the current cost of living crisis in the UK.
The semi-professional non-league club, which is based in the East Sussex town of Lewes, is fan-owned and a not-for-profit Community Benefit Society.
The club has also paid its men and women’s sides equally since 2017, and allows both teams to play at the 3,000-capacity Dripping Pan stadium and training facilities, with the same level of support and marketing.
According to the club, this level of equality has boosted its attendance at games, and increased its owner numbers, sponsorships and media coverage.
With community at the core of its existence, Lewes FC has supported local food banks for a number of years by collecting donations and matches and helping at supermarket collections.
However, the club has gone one step further and is now allowing fans to purchase ticket packages for those who might not be able to afford to watch a match in the current economic crisis.
Fans are able to access the club’s ticket site and purchase Community Tickets; each ticket will cost £10 (€11/$12) and this will cover the price of a meal and a drink at the game. The club will be adding a no-admission charge and will not make a profit from the ticket sales.
Lewes FC will then print out Community Tickets and pass them on to local food banks who will distribute the donated tickets to clients to use at any home match of their choice.