KENT-based Charlton supporters, who use the club’s Valley Express cut-price coach service, can now order their season tickets for the 2005-06 campaign confident the club will provide transport to and from the ground.

Charlton’s board of directors have committed themselves to running the highly successful £5-a-head service to every Premiership game in 2005-06 and are to introduce a season-long pass covering the entire campaign for £85.

All present routes will continue to operate and further expansion has not been ruled out.

The news comes as service organisers prepare to carry a record 1,600 passengers aboard more than 30 coaches for Saturday’s home game against Bolton.

Charlton chief executive Peter Varney said: "We are delighted by the success of Valley Express, which is introducing news fans, bringing back old ones and reducing the number of season-ticket holders using their cars at the same time.

"We hope to receive planning consent from Greenwich Council in April to extend the East Stand and Valley Express is an integral part of our strategy to develop the club’s support.

"We wanted to make the announcement now so that fans could make plans before the May 5th deadline for renewing season tickets at the lower rate."

Valley Express first appeared as a pilot scheme in Thanet at the start of the season. Soon it embraced East Kent to include Deal, Sandwich, Herne Bay and Whitstable.

In January, the service was extended to cover the entire county, including longstanding supporters’ club services from Maidstone and Canterbury, followed in March by additional routes from Sussex and Essex.

There are now pick-up points in more than 60 towns.

Valley Express organiser Rick Everitt said: "The service has been growing match by match and we believe we have only scratched the surface."

Season-ticket holders in the relevant area will receive an application form when their tickets are issued in the the summer, while fans who have used the service during 2004-05 will receive a combined season-ticket and Valley Express application form.

The Valley Express season pass will also be available to purchase on-line at www.valleyexpress.co.uk and from the club’s call centre on 0800 5871100.