MANAGING director Graham Fordy has called on Darlington fans to show they share the club’s ambition by applying for season tickets.

Since Quakers reached the FA Trophy final the club has been driving to increase season ticket sales as they look to push for a return to the Football League.

Around 9,000 fans made the trip to Wembley to witness Mark Cooper’s side secure the FA Trophy after beating fellow Blue Square Bet Premier League side Mansfield Town.

With an average gate of 1,800 at The Northern Echo Arena this season, Quakers chairman Raj Singh is hoping the Trophy success will attract more supporters when the new campaign gets under way in August.

A target of 2,000 season ticket sales has been set by the club and Fordy believes that figure is achievable.

“What I found amazing speaking to Darlington fans at the final was that a lot have seen us play at Wembley, but many have never seen the inside of the Arena,” Fordy said.

“For whatever reason some are still angry and frustrated that we moved away from Feethams. We are where we are and that move has nothing to do with the current regime. I hope people can accept that and move on.

“The season ticket applications are coming in, we have had more than 1,000 already.

“The closing date for the early bird cheaper package is June 1 so we expect quite a few to come through in the next week or so.

“Last year we sold 1,300 and the target this year is for 2,000. I’d like to think that is a realistic target when you consider that we took 9,000 to Wembley.’’

He added: “Having 2,000 season ticket holders will show that the fans want to push things forward with us.

“It will also give the chairman and manager that extra basis of cash to be a little bit more positive and bring in the calibre of players who can take us back into the Football League.

“We weren’t a million miles away from promotion. We had 17 draws in the season, most of which we had a chance to take all three points and that cost us a place in the play-offs.

“The team is stronger now than it has been for some time. The chairman wants to strengthen and the manager is determined to bring League football back to the club.”

After the early bird deadline next Wednesday, adult season tickets for next year will rise by £35 to £310.

The concessionary price will jump from £170 to £190 and the Under-16s ticket will go up £10 to £70 after next week’s deadline.

Darlington are reminding fans that the early bird adult season ticket of £275 works out at less than £12 per game, while a concession of £170 is £7.40 a game and the Under-16s (£60) is £2.60 a game.

Fordy added: “There is a real cash incentive for fans to take out their season tickets before the deadline next week to make the biggest savings.

“The early bird prices are great value for money and are highly competitive for the Blue Square Bet Premier League.

“We’re relatively happy with the take-up to date, but it could be a lot better and we’re still some way off the original target of 2,000.

“But we’re in a much stronger position than we were 12 months ago, which is encouraging as we go into the pre-season.

“The more financial support we get now is imperative. Every single penny will literally go into team strengthening this summer and will give the manager the best chance of realising our ambitions of getting back into the Football League.”

Meanwhile, season tickets in the Ron Greener Suite will also increase after next Wednesday’s deadline.

The adult ticket will rise by £35 to £360, concessions from £220 to £240 and Under-16s from £80 to £90.