OVER a quarter of loyal Colchester United fans have already renewed their season tickets, within days of next season's passes going on sale - despite a hefty price rise.

OVER a quarter of loyal Colchester United fans have already renewed their season tickets, within days of next season's passes going on sale - despite a hefty price rise.

In some cases season tickets at the Layer Road ground have gone up by nearly 50% - but fans eager to watch the team's first team in the Championship are flocking to renew.

At the moment there are 1,900 season ticket holders and already over 500 have bought tickets for next season.

Discount season tickets have gone on sale this week, with prices ranging from £285 to £437. The club is holding these prices until June 30, when the cost will go up. The club has not yet announced how many season tickets will be released, but it is expected to be about 4,000.

Colchester United Fans Association chairman Jon Burns said he will be buying a new season ticket even though prices have gone up more than he expected. He paid £241 for his spot on the terraces last year - the new price is going up to £361.

“I thought there would be a stepping stone up to the level we would expect to pay in the new stadium,” he said. “It's come as a shock. It hits the pockets hard.”

“I'm afraid watching football, even Colchester United, is an expensive business.”

He added: “I don't think they've shot themselves in the foot. In the big boys league we're having to charge big boys prices to compete.

“We have had a great end to the season. It's a fantastic time to be a Colchester United fan. I'm sure the crowd will be full again. People will find a way to pay, but for some people it will be very hard.”

Some fans joining in an online discussion on a Colchester United message board have said they will not be able to afford their usual tickets and feel their loyalty to the club has been rewarded with a “kick in the teeth”.

But many fans said they understood why the club had to put up prices and will be renewing their season tickets as soon as possible.

Colchester United chief executive Marie Partner said: “To be able to complete in the Championship, we have had to put the prices up but we still feel they represent excellent value for money, not least when you consider the calibre of teams we will be playing.”

Club spokesman Matt Hudson said: “We've got to give Phil Parkinson a chance of going out there and attracting players that will keep us in the division.

“I can understand where fans are coming from, but it is still less than £20 a match for a season ticket holder, which is very reasonable.”

He added: “At Ipswich, the cheapest season ticket is only £15 less than our most expensive, and our match day prices will still be among the cheapest, if not the cheapest.”