SAINTS are celebrating their highest season ticket sale since relegation as excitement levels rise ahead of the big kick off.

The club have shifted more than 13,500 tickets - a 30 per cent rise on the same figure 12 months ago.

This time last year Saints had sold 10,341 season tickets and the final figure of 11,900 included 1,000 half season tickets shifted at Christmas.

Saints supporter services head David Luker declared himself "delighted" by the current figures, and predicted a healthy opening day crowd of around 25,000 for the Crystal Palace game next Saturday.

Saints only attracted a 25,000-plus crowd for nine of their 23 home Championship games last season.

"It's an amazing result to sell that many tickets," said Luker. "It's a testament to two things - one, the marvellous bunch of supporters that we have and two, the sensible pricing structures now in place.

"It shows what can happen if you listen to your customers and take on board their comments. We have listened to fans across a broad range - adults, youngsters, senior citizens, students - and our figures stand up against many.

"They're pretty similar to Middlesbrough's.

"Remember, we only had 16,000 season ticket holders for the first two seasons at St Mary's - so relatively speaking, our figures now are very good when you consider the changes at the club since then."

Luker was also chuffed with the superb crowd of 19,401 for last weekend's glamour friendly with Lazio.

Full story in today's Daily Echo.