BRAINTREE Town are hoping that fans will support their eye-catching pre-season home action and hand a direct boost to new manager Brad Quinton.

Southend United will be the first visitors to the Ironmongery Direct Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 3pm), with further visits by Football League sides Colchester United, Barnet and Reading set to follow.

The Iron are hoping fans turn out in good numbers for the pre-season tests and have cut admission prices to encourage more to attend.

Chairman Lee Harding said they were looking forward to the games and that Quinton, who is gearing up for his first season in charge as manager, would see the direct benefits with gate receipts directly boosting the new boss' playing budget.

Harding said: "These games give us good early tests against some big, strong and organised Football League opponents.

"As I understand it, both Southend and Colchester will be sending strong sides to us and they will give us a benchmark against which to gauge our progress.

"We have always had good relationships with Southend and Colchester and it will be good to see good-sized crowds there.

"It's £5 to get in for OAPs and under-18s and £10 for adults and the bar will be open all day so we're hoping people will come along and enjoy both games.

"We are looking to generate a bit of income for the squad.

"We have managed to introduce four pre-season games against opposition from Football League clubs as there's also Barnet and Reading as well Southend and Colchester.

"The Barnet game was part of the deal for them getting Simeon Akinola last year and we're excited about the Reading game as it will be against a club who came close to getting into the Premier League last year.

"We're expecting them to send a strong squad over, but for the moment, we're just concentrating on the Southend game.

"The income is important to us.

"Hopefully supporters will see that we've gone out of our way with admission prices.

"I hope people turn up because every penny from the gate will go to Brad and his playing budget.

"He is building his squad and this is an opportunity for us to help him.

"I'd encourage as many a possible to come to watch because a good crowd would be regarded as a windfall for the club and any windfalls, like FA Cup or FA Trophy runs, are passed on to the playing budget."

Ahead of the Southend game on Saturday, there will be a one-minute silence in memory of Braintree vice-president Michael Doyle, who passed away last weekend.

Harding added: "A regular in the Iron clubhouse for many years, Michael was a jovial character who always managed to put a smile on the face of those he met and spent time with.

"His humour was infectious and he was a well respected member of our club.

"Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time."