Tim Waddington has praised Colchester United fans for their loyal support after crowds rose for a third successive season – despite their relegation to League Two.

Attendances at the Weston Homes Community Stadium were up seven per cent this season, averaging 4,135 despite the U’s struggling near the foot of the table for the majority of the campaign.

The growth in crowd numbers this season, which included an 11 per cent increase in the South Stand, means that Colchester’s attendances have grown by an impressive 17 per cent, over the past three campaigns.

U's general manager Waddington told the Daily Gazette: “We’re delighted that crowds are up for the third year in a row.

“We’ve had a seven per cent growth on our gates this season which is pretty unbelievable, considering it’s been a relegation season.

“This year’s average gate of 4,135 is bigger than the season we were promoted in 2005/06, which was 3,969 and it’s our seventh best gate in the last 30 years.

“It put us in great condition for next year.

“I’m delighted with that and it’s testament to the people we have here working at the club and all of their efforts and also the fans as well for their dedicated support.

“As the chairman recently said, they’re a tough breed.

“I was a bit flat coming in on Monday morning after the Rochdale game.

“But as soon as we started talking about what our plans are for next season, it’s a positive and it starts from now.”

Colchester have reduced their ticket prices for their first League Two campaign since the promotion-winning 1997-98 season.

The U’s have introduced a new match credits scheme where supporters can tickets in blocks and annual memberships, with monthly subscriptions.

“What we want to do is make it as easy as possible to help fans come and watch us,” added Waddington.

“You can now buy online just minutes before the game and it’s much more flexible than it used to be.

“We also have an annual membership scheme where you can join at any time so if you can’t make the first part of the season, you can still commit for later on.

“We’re also offering match credits, which is a flexible scheme where you can get a block of ten games.

“We’re taking down the barriers and making it easier for people to commit and doing everything we can to make it as easy as possible to come and watch us.”