ACCRINGTON Stanley believe they can attract more than 2,000 home fans to the Crown Ground on a regular basis after hailing the success of new ticket initiatives at the club.

Stanley’s average attendances were up by more than 500 last season to 1,980 but that figure included visiting supporters.

The Reds estimate their average home support was between 1,500 and 1,600 and they are planning a number of offers to further boost crowds, with monthly tickets put on sale this week.

Stanley have introduced a new computer database, in line with other clubs, allowing them to keep track of fans’ purchase histories and are confident that will allow them to retain many of their floating supporters.

“We would like to get to 2,000 of our own fans in for every game,” said retail operations manager Lewis Carroll. “Then hopefully 2,500 and 3,000 after that, but we have to be realistic and do it season by season.

“A couple of months ago we had 800 season ticket holders on our records and now we have around 3,000 on the database. Before we only communicated with our supporters once a year when we asked them to pay for a season ticket. Now we can contact them with offers.

“We can also do monthly tickets, tickets just for Saturday games, tickets just for Tuesday games, tickets for Burnley fans, tickets for Blackburn fans.

“And you can go online at wearestanley.co.uk and choose a seat.”

Stanley offered anyone who bought a ticket for the recent Newcastle game admission for only £5 for the Lincoln match last week, and the deal saw 300 new people added to their database.

Combined admission for the three League Two matches in October costs £33 for adults and £27 for concessions for a seat, while terrace tickets cost £27 for adults and £21 for concessions. Students and under 17s can buy for £12.

Tickets must be purchased by October 1.