AFTER watching Town for the first time as a director, Dean Hoyle promised fans the hard work is already under way to make next season a success.

The 40-year-old chairman-elect will play a key role in the interviewing process for a new manager which gets under way today.

And just days after joining the board, he’s proving a driving force with cash to bolster the squad and to help fund a one-off £100 season-ticket for fans in 2008-09 – the cheapest in the Football League.

"We are going to give it a real go," said Hoyle, who is sharing the financial load with chairman Ken Davy as the club prepares for tomorrow night’s big Galpharm derby against Leeds (7.45).

"It’s a baptism of fire for me at the moment, but the fans are telling me they are right behind us with the season-ticket offer and that those people who have been finding excuses to stay away don’t have any excuses any more.

"I’ve been thrown in at the deep end, but I like a challenge and I’m really excited about what we can achieve in the coming years.

"There will be extra investment which will be used sensibly and it’s ‘game on’ as far as people backing the club is concerned."

While Hoyle is on the board immediately and deeply involved, he will not become chairman and majority shareholder until current chairman Ken Davy has guided the club through the centenary season.

And his top priority at the moment is hoping Gerry Murphy and Graham Mitchell can mastermind a win against Leeds to kick-off season-ticket sales on Wednesday.

"The derby against Leeds means so much to us fans and I don’t think the players will let us down tomorrow night," he said.

"Thousands and thousands of people would give their right arms to be playing in blue and white stripes against Leeds tomorrow and I’m confident our players will be giving 150% to deliver for us."

Caretaker manager Murphy is keeping check on Jon Worthington (ankle) but expects him to be okay.

"Having a goal wiped out at Port Vale is a bitter pill to swallow, but I was pleased with the attitude and effort of the lads and I thought we were superb at the back," said Murphy.

"That spirit will get us a long way and there won’t be many changes tomorrow night."

Murphy had the squad in yesterday for ice baths and massages.