IPSWICH Town are on target to sell the same amount of season tickets as last year.With a little more than a month to go before the deadline for discounted prices, Blues supporters are renewing in high numbers, leaving ticket office manager John Ford in optimistic mood.

IPSWICH Town are on target to sell the same amount of season tickets as last year.

With a little more than a month to go before the deadline for discounted prices, Blues supporters are renewing in high numbers, leaving ticket office manager John Ford in optimistic mood.

The Blues sold 18,800 season tickets last season, with almost 85% buying before the deadline.

Mr Ford last night said: “The pattern is very similar to last year in terms of numbers of supporters buying their season tickets.

“The applications are still coming in and being processed but I'm confident that the continued support is going to be very good.

“Our staff are coping very well and if the trend continues as it is and with what we saw last year we expect to get a little busier, with the final two weeks before the April 13 deadline getting even busier.”

Although prices went up 2.5% across the board to fund increased stadium costs and Town had a poor start to the season, the feedback that Ford and his staff have had has been positive.

Mr Ford said: “The general feeling is that people have accepted the packages on offer and there is a very positive feel about the future.

“From the conversations we have had from fans over the counter, by telephone and e-mail I would say they are encouraged by the new signings and the youngsters coming through and they are voting with their cheque books.”

With the offer of a three post-dated cheque system, and the first payment not being taken out until April 20, supporters are being encouraged to apply early.

If the Blues board can be assured of a high percentage of renewals - 90% bought again last season - and can gauge the amount of new fans buying season tickets, the earlier they can plan for next season.

n All tickets for the Preston match that was postponed due to a frozen pitch, can be used again for the rearranged game next Tuesday, March 14. Refunded tickets are on sale from Ipswich Town and tickets are also available on the turnstiles at Deepdale.

Fans who do not want to use their coach ticket should contact the club by 3pm Friday.