Record Early Bird ticket renewals for Walsall

For the second year running sales smashed through the 2,000 barrier, with an overall increase on the amount sold 12 months ago, which itself was a six-year high.

The Saddlers have spent the entire campaign battling in the top half of League One and though their play-off hopes have faded in recent weeks, chief executive Stefan Gamble believes the ticket news shows fans still have plenty of belief in manager Dean Smith and the club's much-heralded "Football Philosophy".

"The response has been phenomenal," said Gamble.

"The club is indebted to those supporters who have parted with their hard-earned cash in a continuingly difficult economic climate.

"This demonstrates that there is great belief in the direction in which the club is moving and in the football philosophy Dean Smith and his team are attempting to implement."

Gamble suggested the increased sales could boost Smith's playing budget this summer as he looks to take the final step which would see the Saddlers become genuine promotion contenders.

"As I have said in previous years, the Early Bird promotion always sets the tone for the coming season and this year's result gives us a great platform from which to launch a new campaign," he added.

"This should not be underestimated as it gives the club and, most importantly, Dean, the building blocks to enable him to assemble his squad during the close season.

"There has been an increase in sales in every category of ticket and as we strive to attract the next generation of supporters to Banks's Stadium, the number of 'juniors' taking advantage of our offer of 'Free Football for all Under-18s' has once again proven to be popular with another significant increase year-on-year."