Carlisle United say they are “encouraged” by the number of supporters renewing their season tickets in another summer of uncertainty.

The Blues say they have retained 95 per cent of all those who bought season tickets in their early-buy period last summer.

They are hoping to build on that figure and hope more fans will help take them past last year’s overall numbers.

United’s early-buy period this summer ended on June 7, and in that period the Blues said they had sold 1,715 season-tickets.

Last year, by June 8 they had sold 1,603.

The club said 95 per cent of the latter number had signed up again with renewals, the rest new season-ticket holders.

“Those supporters are extremely loyal and we do not take them for granted,” said club spokesman Andy Hall.

“The fact they are coming back on board again in such numbers gives us something to build on. It is important to us and is very much appreciated.

“It has been really encouraging. It has again been a summer of uncertainty, this time in terms of player recruitment, but the fans hopefully have recognise that although it is frustrating for us as much as them, the work is ongoing.

“The aim as ever is to build a team that will compete at the right end of the table, and with our season-ticket holders backing us, that job becomes much easier.”

Last year’s early-buy deadline was extended more than once – latterly to June 15 after the appointment of John Sheridan as manager. That saw a further increase in season-ticket sales.

Their overall total across 2018/19, including season tickets, half season-tickets and Flexicards, was 1,984.

United will be hoping the addition of further new faces will see more supporters commit to season tickets.

The squad returns for pre-season tomorrow with the Blues continuing their efforts to bring more players in.

Manager Steven Pressley was back at his desk yesterday and both he and director of football David Holdsworth are hoping to do further deals, with strikers and midfielders on the agenda.

United have still not been drawn on strong speculation linking them with Gateshead midfielder Tom White, the former Blues youth player.

They are also pursuing a number of loan targets, including Premier League and Championship players.