DOUGIE Freedman believes season ticket sales at Wanderers are firm evidence that fans are backing his plan for the club.

The most recent set of figures confirmed by the Whites show that just over 9,000 tickets have been sold in little more than a month since the curtain came down on the Championship campaign.

While attendances did fall last term, the club are encouraged by the take up of tickets so far.

And after already making five signings this summer as he continues to rebuild the Wanderers squad, Freedman reckons the faithful supporters are backing his efforts to get the club moving back in the right direction.

The Scot says it is important they continue to remain positive and stick with the team next season.

Freedman told The Bolton News: “It is fantastic news that season ticket sales are good.

“It shows the fans are backing us again, even after a disappointing season.

“They appreciate what we are trying to do and their support last season was great.

“We are trying to move the club forward and I want that to be done together and we need the fans behind us.

“The fact they are buying their season tickets in big numbers shows they are also buying into what we are doing.”

Wanderers rallied at the end of a disappointing 2013-14 campaign to finish in 14th.

But after missing out on the play-offs by the slenderest of margins on goal difference 12 months earlier, it was doubly frustrating for fans and staff alike.

Freedman concedes the case but stresses he is still in the process of rebuilding the team.

And he remains confident they will achieve their aim of getting back up into the Premier League.

He added: “It was a tough season after we almost got into the play-offs the year before.

“But we are still in transition and I knew that would happen when I joined this great club.

“I firmly believe we will get back to the Premier League and my aim is to take us there.

“I really do feel the club will be back and hope the fans continue to support us and believe that too.”

Meanwhile, Wanderers are offering season ticket holders free entry to the pre-season friendly against Vitesse Arnhem on Sunday, August 3.

Fans are requested to take their season ticket card to the turnstile on the day of the game, which kicks-off at 2pm. No paper ticket is required.

The match will be the first played at the re-named Macron Stadium.