Boss Paul Doswell targets big boost to Havant & Waterlooville attendances

He believes there is a large untapped support base in the area and is determined to try to mobilise it.

Doswell has taken the first step by introducing a special early bird £99 season ticket offer.

He said: ‘I want to make football affordable for families because for a whole family to attend can become expensive.

‘Our season ticket works out at paying just £4.70 per game and is available until the end of June. Also with an adult season ticket under-12s get in free with the holder.

‘This has to be great value and brings the cost down.

‘Teenagers can purchase a season ticket for just £40 which is less than £2 per game. The youngsters are our future supporters.

‘Portsmouth season ticket holders and members of the Armed Forces can gain entry for £6.

‘In too many places nowadays families are priced out of attending.

‘Our target is to try to sell 1,000 season tickets which is nearly twice the number of last season.

‘The Hawks has always been a welcoming club and this will make it even more so.

‘Even though we have dropped back into National League South we are still looking to increase our gates.

‘We will be aiming to encourage the people living in the area to support their team.’

Last season in the National League Hawks attendances rose by just under 50 per cent with an average of 1,316.

Doswell who was appointed at the end of the season to replace Lee Bradbury has a superb track record in non-league football.

The Hawks begin their pre-season friendlies at Alresford Town on Saturday, July 6.