Saints have sold more season tickets for next season already than they did for the whole of the last campaign as excitement over the Ralph Hasenhuttl revolution grips the city.

The Daily Echo understands that Saints have been inundated with supporters wanting to buy new season tickets as well as a healthy stream of renewals since they published their new pricing structure.

It is believed that the club have sold almost 20,000 season tickets so far this summer with around two months of sales still left to go and their lowest priced offering at £399 still available.

The backing from Saints fans is a major boost for the club who are hoping Hasenhuttl will bring the good times back to St Mary’s and would love nothing more than a full stadium each week.

Average attendances have suffered over the past few years as fans voted with their feet as the team struggled on the pitch.

But it seems the optimism that has been created since Hasenhuttl took over has led many to reconsider and opt to secure their seats for the new season, which begins in August.

The club will also see it as an endorsement of their new season ticket pricing plan.

Having been heavily criticised by supporters in the past for merely freezing prices rather than reducing them, there was a radical rethink this summer.

Two thirds of existing season-ticket holders have seen a price reduction.

The other third, those sat in the centrally located premium areas, have had the cost of their seat frozen.

Adults opting to renew early, sitting in the Kingsland and Itchen stands, have seen their prices fall by £70, taking it down to £660 from £730.

The cost of an adult ticket in the family section hasn’t seen a reduction – they remain at £541.

And for those choosing to park themselves in the corners of the ground have been given a reduction of £40, taking the overall cost down from £570 to £530, if they took advantage of renewing early.

Saints also introduced a new season ticket which will see 2,000 fans seated in the Itchen South corner.

They come at a cost of £399 – and currently remain available for purchase - after the club liaised with the Saints Voice panel and other supporter groups.

There has been an age increase in the young adult category from 18-21 – 18-25, as the club look to entice youngsters into St Mary’s.

For children aged under-11 sat in the Family Stand, their season ticket costs £19, working out at £1 per match.

Supporters who opt-to-pay for their seat through finance are also not being charged interest.