Southend United have announced a new bonus scheme to benefit genuine supporters wishing to purchase tickets in the Family Stand at Roots Hall next season.

Tickets for this area of the ground had to be increased as a result of people taking advantage of the system by regularly attending matches without children.

But the Club are aiming to ensure that adults who do attend with children are rewarded as a result.

Family ticket buyers will now receive £20 worth of TeamCard points in December and May next season (£40 in total) if all members of the Family Ticket have attended over 70% of all games.

This will allow them to spend the £40 on Club products in line with the TeamCard programme.

This will be combined with a new dedicated turnstile for Family Ticket buyers to allow closer monitoring of entrants who may be abusing the system.

Commercial Director Garry Adamson said: "After speaking to a number of supporters from the Family Stand, we have decided on the new policy to give an incentive to genuine families who attend games.

"Unfortunately, prices had to increase as so many people were abusing the system.

"We are aware that children cannot always attend fixtures in midweek and also made allowances for holidays, which is why we have made the figure as 70%."

As a result of supporter feedback, there will also now be a new concessionary Family Ticket available.

A senior citizen, full time student or young adult (who all benefit from a concessionary price) will now be able to buy a Family Ticket at the renewal price of £300 or £320 for new buyers before April 26^th.

Concessionary tickets will require a valid form of ID in all instances. This will be backdated for any supporter who has already purchased.

Season Cards are now available from the Ticket Office with special prices available for supporters who buy their seats before April 26^th.

Instalments are also available - click HERE for more details.