by Luke Cawdell

Gillingham supporters are being encouraged to purchase their season tickets for the 2012/13 campaign early to benefit from lower prices.

Early-bird season ticket prices have been frozen for the third year running and the current price plan is dependent on the Gills remaining in League 2. If they get promoted the tickets will go up in price.

Those able to buy at the early-bird rate are current season ticket holders and fans who have attended 15 or more home games this season.

Chairman Paul Scally (pictured) said: "Despite the fact that costs in keeping the team competitive have risen this year, we fully accept how difficult the economic climate is at present and as such we have frozen these prices for the third year running, also absorbing the additional 2.5% VAT increase we have to pay.

"As an added bonus, we have decided to allow any supporter who has been a season ticket holder over the past two years to be eligible for these special ‘early bird’ prices, and if you can prove you have attended at least 15 home fixtures this year, you can also benefit from this super deal."

The Gills are also appealing to the younger generation and children aged under-12 can pay £25 for a season ticket, providing it is purchased with an adult ticket.

In May the season tickets will go on general sale, with adult tickets in the Rainham End rising from £320 to £344. From June onwards that price rises again to £368. Adult matchday prices per game are £24 in the Medway Stand and Gordon Road Stand and £21 in the Rainham End. Tickets bought in advance are £3 cheaper.

If the Gills do manage to get promoted in May then prices will go up.

Mr Scally said: "As is always the case, we are trying hard to end this season on a high, with the play-offs, or automatic promotion our target. Should we be fortunate enough to achieve League One status for next season, this price list will terminate, and a new League One price list will be issued. However, supporters who take up the early bird offer will not be affected by any increase.

"Irrespective of our fate over the coming weeks, we are a club that is now very stable, we have worked hard to ensure our debt is minimal, and at times of real difficulties within football, and despite high expectations we all have for our team, we are in good shape for the exciting journey ahead."