MORTON general manager Dale Pryde-MacDonald has issued a rallying cry to the public as he looks to try and match last season's season ticket numbers as in a bid to make Cappielow a fortress this season.

Mr Pryde-MacDonald spoke of his delight at seeing the immediate reaction to the incpetion of a kids season ticket programme, Team Ton, aimed at building a connection with the next generation of Morton supporters. That has helped numbers currently sit around the 1,000 mark a week before the season starts, but the Ton GM says it's vital that the club sell another 60 tickets.

And whilst he understands that financial boost that will inevitably come with said ticket sales, he's looking further ahead.

Mr Pryde-MacDonald hopes that he can see the crowds that saw Cappielow packed to the rafters one day return to Sinclair Street as he looks to build on the uplift in attendances that were sparked by glamour ties against Motherwell and Hearts last season.

He told the Tele: “Season ticket sales have been good, the addition of our Team Ton programme for Under 12’s has added to that but overall, we are happy, albeit we are probably about 50 to 60 season tickets away from where we were last year. 

"For a club like us that is a vital 50 to 60 season tickets to sell.

“Probably this season more than any other in recent history, the presence of fans in the stadium is going to play a massive part.

“Of course, everybody will talk about the financial importance of season tickets but for me it’s about trying to bridge that gap to when the club was getting an average attendance of 5,000-plus, maybe 20 years ago. 

"It's important for us to look at trying to get back to that, as well as driving the important revenue stream.

“Last year we obviously saw some big crowds attend Cappielow for the Scottish Cup games with Motherwell and Hearts and there was an uplift in some of our league games too which was really positive."

Mr Pryde-MacDonald says that there's lots to be positive about within the confines of Cappielow. He pointed to last season's achievement which saw Ton face-off against the likes of Rangers, Motherwell and Hearts as well as embark on that 16-game unbeaten run.

He says it's vital that this season Cappielow is a place that's feared, with the Champioship looking as ruthless as ever.

Mr Pryde-MacDonald added: “Over the last couple of years Dougie [Imrie] and his staff have provided some mouthwatering ties for supporters at Cappielow and away from home - Celtic, Rangers, Motherwell and Hearts.

"As well as that, he led the team on that 16-game unbeaten run which gives us all a lot to be positive about moving forward.

“The nature of the Championship this season will be extremely competitive, there isn’t a gulf between any of the teams, so every season ticket and supporter we get can really help push us on and help us get try and make Cappielow as hard as possible for opposition teams to come to."