Supporters can help St Ives Town rise to the Southern League Premier Division challenge, says manager Ricky Marheineke
Manager Ricky Marheineke celebrating St Ives Town's play-off final triumph at the end of last season, which earned promotion. Picture: DUNCAN LAMONT - Credit: Archant
St Ives Town mamager Ricky Marheineke reckons the club’s supporters have a huge part to play in ensuring their first season in the Southern League Premier Division becomes a success.
Saints are gearing up for a historic campaign at Step 3 level after being promoted through the Division One (Central) play-offs back in May.
They regularly attracted attendances of close to 300 for home fixtures at ProEdge Westwood Road last term and Marheineke hopes those figures will increase following the rise in class.
He said: “I’m confident we can make our first Step 3 season a good one. By that I mean meeting our target of finishing above the bottom four and staying in the Premier Division.
“The fans have been brilliant during my time at the club and they have a big part to play in us being able to do that.
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“We want to give ourselves the best possible chance of staying in the league. Better players cost more money and that means we need more revenue.
“We’re not bank-rolled by one man. This is a self-sufficient club which is run as a business.
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“We are now in a position where everyone has wanted to be for a long time, but the challenge is making sure we stay there and to do that we need extra fans coming through the gate.
“We’re hopeful the people of the town will really get behind us and we can achieve crowds of around 350 for home games.”
St Ives have introduced an ‘Early Bird’ season-ticket offer which runs until June 30.
The prices are currently £160 for adults, £90 for concessions, £25 for students and £20 for children, but will then rise next month.
They can be purchased through the club’s website http://stivestownfc.co.uk/ or by emailing sitfcsecretary@aol.com
St Ives have a change of friendly opponents on Saturday, July 9. They will now entertain United Counties League Division One side Oakham United after Yaxley pulled out of the game due to player unavailability.
