Posh co-owners hope to reward the superb support of season ticket holders with promotion to the Championship, a world-class stadium and an enhanced Academy

Ninety per cent of the approximate 3,500 Posh season ticket holders didn’t take the club up on the offer of a full refund despite the possibility of fans not being able to return to the Weston Homes Stadium because of the coronavirus crisis.

They chose instead to leave the money with the club in return for a possible four-year price freeze and the chance to help finance the Posh Academy.

Fans have been admitted to just one League One match at the Weston Homes Stadium this season because of the pandemic - a 4-1 win over Rochdale in December - and that situation is unlikely to change before the end of the campaign.

The backing from the club’s fans in a time when football finances are at crisis point has impressed the London Road hierarchy.

Even some Executive Box Holders, who can play £13,000 for the season, waived the option of a full refund.

Posh co-owner Dr Jason Neale said: “The fact Posh fans chose to support their club through the pandemic is no surprise to any of the owners.

“When Stewart (Thompson) and I were looking to invest and help develop a football club we visited many clubs.

“In each case we conducted a ‘secret shopper’ exercise whereby we would visit pubs, hair dressers and other establishment and talk to members of the community.

“Overwhelmingly people loved and supported PUFC, so it’s no surprise our wonderful fan base came through. Darragh (MacAnthony), Stewart and I hope to deliver Championship football, a cat 2 academy and a world class multi functional stadium in return.

“We are all really looking forward to a full Weston Homes stadium next season.”

Posh sold 200 season tickets for the 2021-22 campaign on the first day of sale on Wednesday (March 17) even though there are no price rises for most existing season ticket holders until May 31.

Some current season ticket holders told the PT they were unhappy as the options to take a refund, accept a price freeze or donate to the club’s Academy were presented in December at a time when it was still hoped fans would be allowed back into the Weston Homes Stadium.

@Deedz42 said: “Disappointed the fact the whole season has (now) been missed has not been addressed. When presented with options in December it was on the understanding we were moving back to crowds in the ground so this surely has to be reviewed?”

Season tickets for the 2021/22 season are now on sale. Full details here