BILLERICAY Town’s season ticket sales have gone up a massive 1,300 per cent ahead of the new season.

Town owner and manager Glenn Tamplin told the Echo more than 500 season tickets had already been sold, less than four weeks after the end of the Ryman Premier League season, with the number set to rise even further.

That is compared to a previous high of 35 season tickets in previous years.

And Tamplin is hugely excited at the progress made, with the newly-titled AGP Arena currently undergoing massive renovations work in the off-season.

“This club is going to explode next season,” he said. “The ground is looking great and I think I got more than 200 tweets yesterday asking about season tickets.

“We have sold more than 500 and the most we have ever sold before that is 35.

“It is hugely exciting.”

Billericay have also signed experienced centre-back Matt Paine from Boreham Wood.

The 29-year-old defender helped Boreham Wood to an 11th place finish in the National League last season.

And Tamplin said the former Colchester United youth product, who has also played for Thurrock, was one of the best in the business in non-league football.

“He is a great singing,” he said. “In my opinion he is one of the best centre-backs and holding midfielders in the National League. I am very privileged to have him here.

“He is professional, he is a leader and he has that technical ability that allows him to play the ball out from the back.

“We are playing football next season. I will be bringing in six more new faces at the weekend.”