Pompey smash through 12,000 season-ticket barrier

The tally is up to 12,043 – smashing last season’s tally of 11,004 at this stage.

Of that figure, the club are reporting a 33-per-cent increase in take-up among juniors.

That boost reflects a number of measures brought in by the Blues to attract younger followers to matches.

The club’s Early Bird offer ends on Friday, while there are 12 days remaining until League Two kicks off.

And chief executive Mark Catlin is delighted with the continued response from supporters.

He said: ‘Like-for-like, we are going to start the season more than 1,000 season tickets up from where we were last year.

‘It is absolutely staggering and a team effort from everyone, not least the supporters who are such a huge part of this club.

‘What happens on the pitch is vitally important and accounts for a huge amount of renewals, but I also think there is so much work which goes on behind the scenes in terms of engagement with the community and supporter groups.

‘Through freezing prices and the brilliant offers for juniors, we have also attracted a 33-per-cent increase in young season-ticket holders.

‘A key part of what we wanted to do when taking over the club was reverse the trend of our holders continuing to move towards the older age group.

‘And the sales so far have been outstanding.’

In changes for the 2016-17 campaign, those qualifying for junior tickets has been pushed up to 17 years of age, while a discounted young person’s ticket (aged 18-22) for £199 has been created.

The Early Bird rate finishes on Friday evening.