Ipswich Town have announced they will be extending their ‘Early Bird’ season ticket rates until 3pm on Monday, July 18.

The club announced in March that they would be increasing season ticket prices for a third successive year, albeit by just 1.5% for the vast majority of seats inside Portman Road. That means the cost of a seat in the lower tiers has risen from £390 in 2013/14 to £417 for 2016/17.

After the ‘Early Bird’ deadline passed on April 11, it was revealed that season ticket sales were down by 7% compared to the same stage of the previous year.

Ipswich, who will finish seventh or eight in the Championship table following Saturday’s season-finale at Derby, are preparing for a 15th successive season in the second tier. There has been a series of dull Portman Road spectacles in 2016.

“Marcus (Evans, club owner) has decided to keep the prices as they are until July 18,” explained Town managing director Ian Milne.

“There are going to be some fantastic games next season, especially with some big clubs coming down from the Premier League, and keeping the prices frozen through the summer gives supporters that extra time to take advantage of the best prices at Portman Road.”

The club are in the process of writing to season ticket holders from 2015/16 who have not yet renewed for next year.