hope

for late

surge

BLACKBURN Rovers' chief executive John Williams is hoping for a late surge in season ticket sales as the club gears up for the new season.

Williams today admitted that figures are slightly down this summer compared to the same time last year.

But the club were anticipating a shortfall in sales anyway after spending the vast majority of last season battling to avoid relegation from the Premiership and the current figures are not as damaging as first feared.

So far, sales have already gone through the 10,000 barrier with six weeks still to go before the start of the season.

And now Williams and his staff are planning to target the fans who have yet to renew in a bid to push that figure closer to last season's eventual total of 15,000.

"After a hard season we felt we might experience some difficulties but on average we've finished 10th in the league over the last three years and we've also won a cup so we are still hopeful," said Williams.

"At the moment, it looks as though we are heading for a slight shortfall but we've already written to people who haven't renewed in the hope that they might change their mind as the new season approaches.

"Our crowd base is absolutely crucial to us and it's vitally important we get as many people as possible down to Ewood next season."

In the meantime, Rovers have changed the date of their pre-season friendly with Irish outfit

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Bray Wanderers.

Graeme Souness had originally hoped to play the League of Ireland side on Sunday August 8 but now the fixture has been changed to Saturday August 7 (kick-off 7.45pm) due to the availability of flights.

"It's a shame we've had to move it but it's down to the flights," said Williams.

"I understand one or two of our fans have already booked their tickets but thankfully it appears they were planning to go for the weekend anyway so it shouldn't affect them too much."