IPSWICH Town will be keeping their fingers crossed that there is a late surge in interest in 2008/09 season ticket sales with the Early Bird deadline running out on Sunday.

Elvin King

IPSWICH Town will be keeping their fingers crossed that there is a late surge in interest in 2008/09 season ticket sales with the Early Bird deadline running out on Sunday.

Sales are up on this stage last season, but despite the investment by Marcus Evans when he took over the club in December revenue through the turnstiles is key to keeping the off-field Town functions operating smoothly.

Results on the field are not helping, and last night's home 1-1 draw with Cardiff reduced the chances of fans gaining next season from the Premier League pledge on offer by the club.

A good result against Norwich may lead to the late applications on Sunday being increased.

Chief executive Derek Bowden said: “Sales are up versus this time last year. This week post has been flooding into our ticket office.”

This season Town sold a total of around 15,000 season tickets.

The club is operating a price freeze for 2008/09 and a Premier League price pledge if tickets are confirmed before April 13.

Bowden added: “Our ticket office will be open before and after the game on Sunday, and we will be accepting last-minute season ticket applications on the day.”

John Ford, Town's ticket office manager, added: “Traditionally people wait until the last week or so before sending in their applications and I've no doubt it will be the same this year.

“We are getting heavy post at the moment and, in terms of processed forms, we are perhaps slightly up on last year.”