Walsall Early Bird scheme a success

Walsall chief executive Stefan Gamble has hailed the success of the club's Early Bird season ticket scheme after a near 30 percent rise on last year's sales figures.

The Saddlers froze season ticket prices for a third consecutive season and the month-long offer saw 1,775 supporters sign up for the deal.

It represents an increase of 402 supporters – or 29.3 percent - on the advanced sales figure for 2010 which stood at 1,373, no doubt helped by the club's decision to absorb the recent 2.5 per cent VAT increase.

The club's policy of offering free football for all under-18s will also help boost attendances at the Banks's Stadium next season.

Walsall saw the number of junior season tickets jump from 226 for the current season to 500 for the next campaign, an increase of 274.

And Saddlers supremo Gamble is happy with the reaction of the fans to the scheme, with League One football yet to be secured for next season.

He said: "We are very pleased with the response to the initiative.

"In holding our prices and absorbing the VAT increase long-standing season-ticket holders benefitted from being able to purchase at the same price as the previous three years and, thanks to our offer of free football, we have managed to significantly increase our young fanbase.

"To have 500 junior season-ticket holders is an excellent achievement, especially as this figure is more than double the current number of junior season-ticket holders.

"Despite the offer of free football, the additional sales have ensured revenue has remained consistent with last year, which stands us in good stead for next season."

Walsall's hopes of remaining in League One were given a boost last night by some of the results of those teams also involved in the relegation scrap.

Dagenham & Redbridge remain a point ahead of Walsall after they suffered a 2-0 home defeat to Peterborough, but are now level on games with the Saddlers.

Notts County are stuck on 42 points but still have a game in hand, despite losing 2-1 to Rochdale at Meadow Lane, while bottom side Plymouth lost 2-0 at play-off chasing Leyton Orient.

Sheffield Wednesday thumped 18th placed Tranmere 4-0, but Bristol Rovers climbed out of the drop zone with a 1-0 win over Bournemouth, although they have played a game extra.