BLACKBURN Rovers fans have given the thumbs up to the club's new season ticket offer.

After the disappointments of last season, it had been feared that the club could be hit through the turnstiles next term.

But, since the new season ticket package was launched last week, the club have reported an increase in sales compared to the same period last year.

Rovers chief executive John Williams today revealed he is delighted at the positive response.

But he was quick to stress that it is still early days as yet and accepted the club have got a lot of work to do to make up for last season.

"It has been a very encouraging first week and we are ahead of last year at the same time," said Williams.

"But it is still very early days yet and there is a long, long way to go.

"We are acutely aware of the disappointments of last season but the feedback I have had so far is that the renewal package seems to have gone down well with most fans.

"It's important to me that things have got off to a good start, particularly bearing in mind the disappointing way the season finished.

"That Manchester City game on the final day of the season felt like we were the guests at someone else's party and I know it was hard for our supporters to swallow. But, under the leadership of Tom Finn, we are working hard on how we can improve things for next season.

"And now the dust is starting to settle I would like to take this opportunity to thank our fans for the dignity they showed on that day.

"I also want to thank the vast majority of season-ticket holders who did not sell their tickets on the day." As yet, the club can not put an exact figure on the number of season-tickets they have sold.

But as the club prepare for what Williams describes as 'a make or break' season, the initial response is encouraging.

"From my point of view, I will strongly urge and advise the board that we take every possible step to make sure this is the year we get back in the Premiership," said Williams.

"From a commercial point of view, with the new TV deal on the horizon, it is absolutely crucial that we gain promotion next year.

"And we will devote all our energies into backing Graeme Souness so he can achieve that."

After securing the signature of Souness's first signing, John Curtis, last week, Williams is happy with the way the rebuilding plans are going. And he is confident of delivering more new faces in the next few weeks.

"Graeme has made his targets known to the board and I am quietly confident that we are making progress on a number of fronts," said Williams.

"We have got a huge amount of work to do following the disappointments of last season.

"But, without wanting to sound blase about it, I think we are starting to turn the corner.

"From my point of view, it was vitally important that we delivered Graeme's first signing.

"And if we can just deliver another two or three pieces of his jigsaw then we will be happy.

"At the moment, we are solely concentrating on the targets Graeme wants to bring in.

"We are not too concerned at having to off-load players as yet. That can come later.

"But, without getting carried away, there is an air of confidence already about our chances next season."

Meanwhile, there were no further developments in the chase for Liverpool left-back Stig Inge Bjornebye.

But the club remain confident of agreeing a deal although the player's Euro 2000 commitments with Norway are currently proving a stumbling block.