Passion, commitment, belief - that was the message from Oxford United to businesses looking to invest in the club.

The club staged a high-profile corporate launch yesterday at Oxford Castle's Malmaison Hotel, with more than 60 existing and potential backers joined by club directors and players in a bid to raise money for the club's drive to make an instant return to the Football League.

Chairman Nick Merry said: "Since we have taken over, season ticket sales have been tremendous.

"We have a really big future - it's going to be a very exciting season."

Season ticket sales have exceeded last year's total, despite the team's relegation last season from the Football League to the Nationwide Conference.

And Mr Merry, who took over the club from controversial former chairman Firoz Kassam in March, believes the combination of corporate backing and the support of the fans is a winning one, despite the club's revenue from the league being halved.

He added: "There's huge potential and we're going to make up the shortfall."

Mr Merry declined to reveal how much cash he was investing personally, saying it was "whatever we need to be successful".

Fellow director and team manager Jim Smith said: "We have bought League One standard players and they don't come cheap. We need to generate money to keep going forward and be successful."

A range of incentives for investors was outlined by director Kelvin Thomas.

He said the emphasis was on partnership, with the aim of creating a successful, financially stable club.

New opportunities include an online savings account with the Norwich & Peterbrough Building Society, while the club's main sponsor, Buildbase, is launching a building materials discount card for season ticket holders.

A pre-season corporate hospitality package, including the games with Premiership clubs Portsmouth and Manchester United, was offered to those at the launch.

And every delegate was issued with a pack outlining details of opportunities ranging from match ball sponsorship to private hospitality boxes, costing up to £10,000 a season.

Buildbase marketing director Peter Butterfield said the Cowley-based company had taken the decision to back the club based on "loyalty and commercial common sense".

He added: "Our exposure won't diminish - the Conference is covered by Sky TV - but the real difference is becoming involved with Nick and Kelvin, who have such a commitment to the community."

The Oxford Mail has also confirmed its continued commercial support to the club for the coming season.