DEAN HOYLE believes Town’s bumper season-ticket sales will help attract quality new players to the club.

Galpharm chiefs are delighted after 15,430 supporters took advantage of the cut-price centenary season-ticket offer.

And chairman-elect Hoyle says he can’t wait for the 2008-09 League I campaign to get under way.

The club-record season-ticket figure (the previous best was 14,058 in 1970) means Town should have their highest home average crowds since their last two top-flight seasons (23,228 in 70-71 and 15,940 in 71-72).

“The atmosphere created by the last-minute rush before Friday’s deadline was good, so matchdays should be excellent next season,” said Hoyle.

“The clear message from the fans is that they are getting behind what we are trying to do as a club, and I’d like to thank each one of them.

“It’s been a fantastic response – well beyond what I’d hoped for at the outset – and our challenge is to provide the success on the field we all crave.

“The fact that we will have 15,000-plus home crowds next season is a major selling point to potential signings.

“I know that if I was a player, I’d much rather be performing in front of a big crowd than in a half-empty ground.”

Town have two massive derbies against Leeds again next season after their 1-0 play-off final defeat to Doncaster.