Oxford United supporters have been handed the chance to make big savings on a season ticket for next season.

The U’s have announced prices for the 2011/12 campaign – and the club are hoping their new strategy will help surpass the 4,000 they sold this season.

Although the cost of a regular-priced season ticket will rise by just over £20 in all areas of the ground, people buying theirs within the next month can make savings.

A season ticket in the Oxford Mail stand will be £316, up from £295. However, if existing season ticket holders get theirs before April 14, the price is just £240 – a difference of £76.

North Stand season tickets can be bought £82 cheaper, South Stand Lower £88 and South Stand Upper £91 in what United are dubbing the ‘early bird special’.

And the club are hoping to help supporters afford a season ticket by offering a new ten-month finance option, allowing fans to split the cost and pay by instalments.

United chairman Kelvin Thomas said: “Our support has been fantastic this season with one of the highest average home attendances in this league and the one above.

“We appreciate things can be difficult in the current economic climate and so have introduced a new finance option to allow fans to pay each month and spread the cost.”

If supporters miss the early bird special, United will still offer discounted season tickets – saving £43 for the Oxford Mail stand – until a later date, yet to be decided.

Matchday ticket prices have yet to be released.