Johnno delighted with season-ticket news

Scott Johnson has hailed the increase of Ospreys season-tickets for the new campaign as "excellent news for everybody at the region"

He was reacting to the news earlier this week that numbers for the 2010/11 season had already exceeded the final number sold for last season, with over a month to go until Italian side Benetton Treviso arrive at the Liberty Stadium on Friday 10th September for the Ospreys first home Magners League match of the year.

“To be able to say that season-ticket numbers are up on last year is really excellent news for everybody at the region, it really is” he said today.

“The news has put a smile on everybody’s face and certainly helps to give something of a feel good factor about the place. All the guys want, all any rugby player wants, is to know that the fans are behind you and this is a sign that our supporters are backing us this season. It’s great stuff.

“We’ve got a squad that is more than 80 per cent made up of local boys who have grown up and live in the area, so you can appreciate how much it means to them to have their local community supporting them. We are all proud to represent the Ospreys, the people here and everything they stand for, and working together we are stronger.

“We are always working hard and striving to make the Ospreys successful, that’s us in the rugby department, the players and coaches and whatever, and it’s the guys in the office, we’re all working hard to make us a long term, sustainable success story. The fans have a massive part to play in that as well, which is why it’s such great news that season-tickets are up.

“We want to see big crowds at the Liberty Stadium, with passionate supporters making a hell of a racket, as that will really give the boys a boost. This is a fantastic start, we know we’re going to have more season-ticket holders this season, who share the optimism and excitement that we have here. What we need to do know is continue growing as a rugby business, which includes growing our crowds and season-ticket holders even more.”

Season-ticket holders remain on sale at the Liberty Stadium Ticket Office, with the Early Bird prices starting at £165 for an adult running until 6pm on Saturday 7th August, offering you the chance to watch the Ospreys this season for under £10 a game.