Peter Varney believes Ebbsfleet will win over the disillusioned fans who have turned their back on the club in recent times.

The Fleet vice-chairman wants to pull in crowds of 1,500 at Stonebridge Road in The Skrill South this season.

Average gates dropped to just 891 in 2012/13 but Mr Varney is hopeful that the start of a new era at the club will herald renewed interest among locals.

He said: “We’ve got to create a fanbase here and play attractive football to get people to start talking about Ebbsfleet.

“I’d like to think, with what people have seen in the recent games, that they’re seeing an entertaining, attractive style of play. The combination of pricing and the entertaining play is what’s going to drag people back to watch us.”

Ebbsfleet scored 16 goals in their seven pre-season friendlies under the charge of new manager Steve Brown.

Mr Varney said: “What people have got to understand is when (Brown) came here, he didn’t have a single player. To actually construct a squad – and it all works – is not easy.

“It’s going to take them time to gel but fans are not fools, they know their football. I’d like to think they’re starting to see players that can play and a style of football they’re going to like."