DENNIS Wise's arrival at the County Ground has triggered a surge of interest at the Town box office and the club's chief executive is delighted to see so many new disciples embracing the men in red.

Season-ticket sales are up on the same period for last year but it is the number of people taking the plunge for the first time which really heartens Mark Devlin.

He believes the Wise/Poyet effect has made a positive difference, in addition to reduced prices for the 2006-7 campaign.

Devlin said: "There has been a real surge at the box office in the last 48 hours or so and I'm delighted about that.

"Fans seem to be responding well to the developments they have seen at the club in the last few days and hopefully our decision to reduce the prices has had an impact as well.

"We have sold around 450 season tickets in the period since Dennis and Gus arrived at the club.

"Overall we are slightly up on where we were this time last year.

"As it stands we probably have around 1,100 season ticket holders."

Much has been made in recent years of Town needing to attract fans beyond the traditional die hards' and while acknowledging those who have stuck by the club through some very difficult times Devlin is especially encouraged by the influx of fresh support.

He said: "What's particularly pleasing is that around 10 per cent of season ticket applications have come from new' supporters, if I can put it like that.

"Obviously that's very encouraging and I hope we can build on that."

Great news for Devlin and the club coffers but not quite so great for anyone in the box office who had been hoping for a relaxing Bank Holiday weekend.

The club's chief executive said: "Hopefully these hours will assist our supporters as they look to take advantage of the Early Bird discount available."

The box office will be open on Saturday and Bank Holiday Monday.

Box Office opening hours before theEarly Bird ticket deadline: Saturday, May 27 (9am to 3pm), Sunday, May 28 (closed), Monday, May 29 (9am to 3pm).

Regular season ticket prices will come into effect after the 5pm deadline passes on Wednesday May 31.

The Town box office can also be contacted on 0870 4431894.