Norwich City are within touching distance of the magic 20,000 mark for season ticket sales.When the third and final deadline for renewals passed at the weekend, the Canaries had sold 19,855 season tickets for 2008-09.

Norwich City are within touching distance of the magic 20,000 mark for season ticket sales.

When the third and final deadline for renewals passed at the weekend, the Canaries had sold 19,855 season tickets for 2008-09.

It means fewer than 150 seats are now available on a permanent basis before the club puts a cap on further sales.

The figures make remarkable reading for a club that has just finished in its lowest league position for 44 years, 17th in the Coca-Cola Championship.

Andrew Cullen, City's director of sales and marketing, said: “It has exceeded everybody's expectations after the season we have had and bearing in mind what's happening around the country.

“News from other clubs suggests the credit crunch is beginning to bite and clubs who are only now renewing expect sales to be lower than last season.

“It just underlines what we have said before about the level of support we are fortunate to enjoy.”

City have more than 1,300 new season ticket-holders, nearly 700 of them in the extended family area in the Norwich and Peterborough Stand.

By contrast, nearly 500 fans on the waiting list have paid deposits but chosen not to buy seats.

A ceiling will be set at 20,000 sales to ensure there are enough casual tickets on sale for each home game, with a total of 4,600 non- season ticket-holders on the membership list.

City are currently dealing with “movers and shakers” - fans who have renewed season tickets but wish to change seats.

Remaining season tickets are on sale on a first come, first served basis. Barclay Stand prices are £415 for adults, £250 for over-60s and £85 for under-12s. In family areas (Norwich and Peterborough Stand, Norwich Union Community Stand and Wensum Corner) prices are £415 for adults, £245 for over-60s, £70 for under-16s and £25 for under-12s.

Charlton have tried to entice extra sales by offering a free Premier League season ticket.

Chairman Derek Chappell has announced the club has decided to repeat last year's offer to provide a season's top-flight football at no extra charge if they are promoted at the end of the 2008-09 campaign.