More on KentOnline
Gillingham season ticket sales have been selling at a “phenomenal” rate while kit sales are through the roof too.
While last season turned into an anti-climax, supporters are clearly getting behind the club again for another crack at promotion from League 2.
More: Finances unveiled following a monumental season
Gillingham’s managing director has revealed the levels of interest in the Gills with just less than a month to go before the players return to pre-season training.
Players report back for duty on Monday, July 1.
“People have backed the club again by coming out and buying season tickets,” said the club’s MD, speaking on Monday.
At the time they were just 72 short of last year’s number.
“Considering we are at the start of June, that is phenomenal,” Comper said.
“You would expect us to sell 72 between now and the start of the season and hopefully go above the record we set last year.”
The Gills sold around 3,500 season tickets last year, breaking the previous best total of 3,477 for the 2009/10 season. They were up over 30% on the previous year’s total.
On Friday the club launched a new third kit, unveiling the design down Gillingham High Street while also introducing their new signing Armani Little to fans.
A new home kit and a commemorative yellow away kit have both proved popular among supporters with 1,000 shirts sold within 24 hours of release.
“We have done pretty well two years in a row,” said Comper, of their new kits.
“I have been really pleased with the reaction and the supporters seem to have got on board, which is fantastic.
“Two seasons ago we sold 1,800 shirts all season so to sell over 1,000 in 24 hours is brilliant.
“To have had them on sale before we had even hit June was brilliant and we are really pleased with that.
“We will continue to try and get ahead of the curve with things done promptly. I am thankful to everyone who came out and bought them.”
A new batch of shirts is expected to arrive soon with certain sizes already sold out.
Mr Comper also revealed that the uptake on renewals for their LED pitchside advertising was at the 90% mark, all 20 hospitality boxes were sold out for the season and they’ll be looking to build on growing numbers of fans who enjoyed hospitality last year.
He said: “It’s amazing when you consider we have 20 boxes and for this level of football that’s really good, that’s great for us. The hospitality numbers have gone up slightly which again is good, that’s something that we are looking to grow.
“We had 250-350 people in there for the last few games and that is something we want to see on a regular basis.”
The return of the GFC community department is expected to further increase the club’s opportunity to gain supporters while a new website and app is expected to increase fan engagement.