Relegation from League One would leave a “big dent” in Colchester United’s ambitions, according to Tim Waddington.

But the U’s general manager says ticket prices would be altered accordingly, should the club drop into English football’s third tier.

Colchester are preparing for crucial back-to-back home games against fellow strugglers Crawley Town and Yeovil Town.

Tony Humes’ side are two points adrift of safety with 11 games remaining and Waddington is staying upbeat about their chances of staying up.

But with next season’s ticket prices to be announced at the end of the month he revealed the cost of watching the U’s will be altered, should the worst happen.

Waddington said: “We’re still positive we can get out of trouble.

“But if the worst scenario does happen, we will have to deal with what is in front of us.

“We have a fight on our hands - we’ve missed opportunities to get wins this season and clearly, the next two games are huge.

“For the last four or five years, we’ve had a three-tier approach based on promotion, stability and relegation.

“Relegation will be a big dent for us, in terms of our ambitions and finances as a club.

“It’s the nightmare scenario but prices would be altered if that happened, just like they would if we won promotion.

“We’ll be announcing the prices for next season before the end of this month.

“If we are relegated, we will have to accept that there will be alterations.”

Some U’s supporters have called for the club to reduce ticket prices, in order to swell the gate for this weekend’s vital game with Crawley.

But Waddington said such approaches do not guarantee a significant increase in attendance.

“Reducing ticket prices for one game to try and get more people in doesn’t necessarily work,” he said.

“Generally speaking, in that scenario the same people who come to all of the games just come for less money.

“We’ve had initiatives this season such as under-11s going free and advanced pricing at £15 per ticket which have proved really popular.

“What we have is a core fanbase that comes thick and thin to our matches.

“I speak to the players and I know it makes a big difference to them when they get behind them.

“The South Stand boys and girls in particular have been phenomenal and their support makes a big difference.

“We know the home form hasn’t been great and we have a lot of work to do to get out of it.

“But the fans can play an important part for us in the next two home games.”

For all of the latest Colchester United, including a three-page preview of their game against Crawley Town, see Friday's Daily Gazette.