Durham Cricket are set to provide members with a range of additional benefits to their 2021 membership – which it hopes will go some way to thanking members for their unrivalled loyalty and understanding over the past year.
Despite the 2020 season being played behind closed doors, the majority of fans signed up for the ‘Durham Defender’ initiative or renewed their 2021 membership early, giving the club a huge financial boost and vote of support during a difficult time for both members and the Club.
Whilst the 2021 season looks set to allow the welcome return of members to Emirates Riverside, it does appear that the first three home LV= Insurance County Championship games will be played behind closed doors. In addition to those fixtures the club will also be playing a Royal London Cup game at Scarborough, honouring a commitment made in 2020.
Durham Chief Executive, Tim Bostock, said: “Whilst we are delighted that our members will be able to return in 2021, we realise that, because of government restrictions, they could be missing up to three games of County Championship Cricket. These games are part of their membership but unfortunately the situation is out of our control, although we are working to be used as a testing venue for one of the fixtures, which would allow members to attend one of the three games.
“We also felt obliged to honour last seasons commitment to play in Scarborough, which, whilst being an exciting day out for a lot of members, we appreciate it will not be ideal for others or possible for some members to attend.
“Due to the loss of live cricket, we felt members deserved something more from the club this season. We have worked across the team to put together a package of additional benefits which we hope will go some way to both compensating members and also allowing them to enjoy the games that little bit more.
“Whilst we appreciate the 2021 schedule is once again not full or ideal, we want members to know that they are not taken for granted and are always the club’s priority along with the development and safeguarding of the club financially for future generations.
We would once again like to sincerely thank the members for their fantastic support and we hope these benefits make the season a bit more enjoyable.”
2021 Additional Member Benefits
Free food and drink at every County Championship game – Each member will be given a voucher to redeem free food and a pint or soft drink at each of the four County Championship fixtures they are currently able to attend. The vouchers can be redeemed in the Members Lounge on any of the first two days of play for each game.
Free merchandise – Each member will be given a £10 voucher redeemable in the club shop – which is due to relaunch in April.
Free transport – The club will provide members with free transport on buses to both Royal London Cup games to be played at out grounds in 2021 (Scarborough and South Northumberland).
Concert discount – Members will be given 10% discount on any tickets purchased for themselves or family and friends to any Durham organised concerts. This includes the Queen concert on sale now and others yet to be announced for 2021 (concerts organised by external promoters are not guaranteed as part of this discount including the Michael Bublé concert).
Dedicated matchday host – The club are employing a dedicated matchday host with specific responsibility to servicing the needs of the members in the Members Lounge throughout the 2021 season. The host will be available to listen to feedback and ensure members have the best experience they have ever had at Durham games.
In ground customer loyalty scheme – The Club will be implementing an in-ground customer loyalty benefit scheme in 2021. This will mean that members will be given additional rewards for the more games they attend and the more money they spend in the ground.
In addition to these benefits the club is also upgrading its streaming service so any games that members are unable to attend can be watched online with improved matchday coverage.
Full details of the additional benefits will be provided in membership packs ahead of the 2021 season.