£10 virtual tickets to see Wolves take on Chorley in Cup
Wolves supporters can buy ‘virtual tickets’ for their FA Cup clash at Chorley and help ease the financial pain of the pandemic on the non-league club.
Souvenir tickets priced at £10 have been made available following discussions between Chorley, their supporters’ trust and the Wolves Fans’ Parliament.
The National League North club claim to have lost around £350,000 during the pandemic and will be unable to admit fans to their Victory Park when Nuno Espirito Santo’s men visit for the fourth round tie later this month.
It is hoped the virtual tickets will allow them to make up some of the shortfall.
Chorley famously won 3-0 in a second replay when the clubs met in the FA Cup first round in 1986, a result considered the lowest point in Wolves’ history.
Wolves Fans Parliament chairman Neil Dady said: “As soon as the draw was made we contacted Wolves and Chorley’s supporters trust to see if donating virtual tickets would be possible
“There is an extra resonance when you look back at the first meeting in 1986 and the state our own club was in at the time.
“It feels like things have come full circle and if we are now able to help Chorley out at a time when they are feeling the financial pressure that would be great. It would also be nice if we can beat them this time!”
Chorley will be playing in the fourth round of the Cup for the first time in their history but their run, including last weekend’s third-round win over Derby, has taken place almost entirely behind closed doors.
The decision to sell virtual tickets follows in the footsteps of several other non-league clubs. Marine, who play in the Northern Premier League, raised more than £300,000 after more than 30,000 donated tickets for their third-round tie with Tottenham.
A Chorley statement read: “The last year has seen all of us face unprecedented times and for Chorley FC this was no different. Having to start and play the season behind closed doors has completely decimated our income streams.
“Donating a virtual matchday ticket provides us with a lifeline and helps us try to bridge the £350,000 shortfall we face because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Without your loyal support, clubs like ours just couldn’t survive.”
Tickets can be purchased by visiting chorleyfc.ktckts.com. Fans have the option of making an additional donation of either £5 or £10 to the Chorley FC Trust and Foundation.
