PAT CLUSKEY is confident that Chester can reach the milestone of 1,000 season ticket sales ahead of their first league match next month.
The Blues general manager admitted he had been amazed at the response from supporters wanting to pledge their allegiance to the club on the back of last season’s title-winning campaign.
He said: “We have sold 920 season tickets so far which is phenomenal, but the euphoria of last season’s promotion-winning campaign has carried on through the summer.
“The fact that we didn’t introduce any early bird season ticket offer like other clubs has operated as an incentive to fans and demonstrates how enthusiastic the Chester fans have been.
“We sold 1,000 season tickets before the start of last season and I’m confident that if we sell 10 a day between now and the opening day of the league season on August 13 then I’m sure we will smash last season’s sales figures.
“The season tickets have been selling in fits and starts, but I feel the biggest success story is our junior offer of £50 which covers the cost of a season ticket and a replica shirt.
“I’ve been really pleased to see Chester’s club colours being worn by supporters around the city centre. The club is definitely being broadcast by our fans who have purchased replica kits and other club gear from the club shop.”
Cluskey, who revealed that 18 of the 21 scheduled Chester home fixtures for the coming season had received match sponsorship – including the FA Trophy tie against Ashton United – is still hopeful of the Blues securing a friendly match against a Premiership side.
“It was disappointing to see our two scheduled pre-season matches against Fleetwood Town and Stockport County called off, but we have arranged a home fixture against Airbus UK this Friday, and we are hopeful of trying to arrange a pre-season friendly for Saturday, July 30, at the Exacta Stadium.
“We are in talks with several clubs are remain hopeful of trying to fix up a friendly match to benefit the squad that Neil Young has assembled in their build up to the season, as well as for financial reasons.
“We are also still attempting to arrange a match against one of four Premiership clubs despite the season now fast approaching.
“We have four good Premiership club contacts and despite these sides having current commitments in either Asia or America, we are still hoping that a match can be arranged during the course of the season if a date can’t be found ahead of the season starting.”
- The Chester ticket office at the Exacta Stadium is open for season ticket enquiries and purchases every weekday between 10am-4pm, and before each home match, including this Friday when the Blues entertain Airbus UK Broughton at the Exacta Stadium (7.30pm kick-off).