Fans appear to be sticking by Shrewsbury Town after their year of discontent – with club staff delighted by early season ticket sales.

It had been feared that supporters might vote with their feet after a disappointing season that saw Town finish 18th in League Two and only guarantee their survival with three games to go.

But more than 700 season tickets have already been snapped up for the 2008/9 campaign, with fans buying into manager Paul Simpson’s vision for the club.

That total remains a long way short of last season, when club records were smashed as more than 2,300 season tickets were sold for Town’s first season in their new stadium on Oteley Road.

But ticket office manager Judy Davies today reported a steady flow of fans arriving to buy tickets, and said they were expecting a big rush ahead of the June 14 deadline for ‘early bird’ prices.

“They’ve been going very well at the moment and, the nearer we get to the first deadline for early bird prices, the more it will pick up,” she said.

“We’re very pleased with the way they’re going and we’re up to about 700 at the minute.

“It’s impossible to compare to last year really, because we had the delay from going to Wembley in the play-offs and there was the move to the new ground too.

“But we’re hopeful that we can get up to the same as last year in the end.”

Adult season tickets purchased before June 14 cost from £255, and that will rise to £300 if bought before July 14. Season tickets bought after that date will cost from £368. That compares with individual ticket prices starting from £16 if bought in advance or £18 if bought on match days.

“If they get their season tickets before June 14 they will be getting almost eight free games, so it’s good value for money,” added Davies.

“Season ticket holders also get priority for cup games.”

By Chris Hudson