MORTON director Graham Barr believes the earlier season ticket and shirt sales will help the club grow on and off the park.

Season ticket sales are nearing the 500 mark and Mr Barr is delighted with the early uptake and says it will help the club build momentum ahead of the new season.

With an increase in the cost of season books, he is grateful to supporters for putting their hands in their pockets at a difficult time to back the club next season.

He told the Tele: "It’s a collective effort from everyone.

"Success on the park breeds positivity and it’s on the club and MCT to make the most of that positivity.

"We don’t want to be solely reliant on what happens on the park, but from a comms perspective and commercial perspective, we need to make the most of that momentum.

"It’s been a really positive start to season ticket sales.

"As we speak, we are getting close to the 500 mark of sales.

"At this point last year, we hadn’t even launched season tickets yet, so it has been really good to get that out the door much earlier this year.

"That helps with budgeting as well as we get a good idea of where the numbers are heading whereas last year it was much closer to the start of the season before we had reached 500.

"Prices have increased as well this year compared to last due to the rising costs the club face, and we can’t thank supporters enough for continuing to buy season tickets and support the club."

He is pleased with the early sales of the club’s new home jersey which was launched last month - but he admits it will be hard to match last season’s purchases from supporters of the club's Scottish Cup centenary kit.

He said: "Early sales have been good and again we’re really pleased to have it launched already.

"Last year it was August before supporters could pick up the centenary kit, so it’s good to have the home kit out and on sale before the end of May this season.

"The centenary kit was a special kit and sales were fantastic for it, it’s always going to be difficult for this year’s kit to compete with that.

"However, what is great this year with our new Joma partnership is that we have a lot more training kit available for fans to purchase as well, which provides people with variety and options.

"These have been really well received so far. The away kit, which was voted for by MCT members, will also be launching this month."

Mr Barr also spoke about filling the void left by Chris Ross who left his role as chief executive last month.

Mr Barr said: "In the short term, the CEO role will be covered by members of the board picking up various elements of the running of the club.

"For example, I’ll be leading on communications and commercial, which isn’t a massive difference from what has happened over the last six to eight months, as I have been working closely with Chris Ross, Gareth Reid and Chris Samson from MCT to try and improve those areas.

"In the longer term, we will be looking at alternative arrangements, but these are not set in stone at this time.

"We also have a number of volunteers from MCT who are committed to picking up some tasks and projects around the club, such as organising events, and this will help a lot from a resource and income perspective.

"MCT and the club are always looking for volunteers to help out and the best way to get involved is by emailing communications@mortonclubtogether.co.uk"

"Chris has been a real asset to the club and it has been great having him on board.

"I would like to thank Chris for everything he has done since joining the club, initially in the general manager role and then in the CEO role.

"The positive for the club is that Chris is very much still going to be engaged in a voluntary capacity through his MCT membership and is committed to continuing to support in any way he can."