OXFORD United are hoping for more bumper crowds at the Kassam Stadium after season ticket sales reached a significant milestone.

The U’s have passed their 2021/22 tally of just under 4,700 with the Sky Bet League One campaign still more than three weeks away.

It comes after the average league attendance at Grenoble Road reached a record high of 8,463 last term as United scored the joint-most goals in the third tier, although they missed out on the play-offs.

READ MORE: How Oxford United's week is shaping up as pre-season continues

And managing director Niall McWilliams believes the entertainment on offer is key to the promising sales.

He said: “In terms of season ticket sales we’re in a very healthy position.

“We’re on target to have over 5,000 season tickets.

“We’ve already sold more season tickets to date than we did in the whole of last year and that’s a reflection of the unbelievably attractive football we play on the pitch.

“We’ve played exceptional football for the last four or five seasons and we know it’s going to be the same again.”

The U’s chief said in May he wanted to hit a record number of season tickets in 2022/23, which would mean shifting about 5,500. That includes half season tickets launched later in the year.

But he held back on predicting whether United will reach that mark.

McWilliams said: “We’re not quite there if we’re being perfectly honest, but we’re certainly very hopeful.

“We’re about to launch another campaign this week and we want to work in a closer fashion with the businesses of Oxford.

“I wouldn’t rule it out, but our season tickets are healthy.

“As a football club we’re exceptionally pleased.

“It’s not easy times in the country just now and we’re hoping that’s a reflection of the entertainment we provide on the pitch.”

Season tickets have been on general sale since June 9, after existing holders were given five weeks to renew their 2021/22 seats.

Fans’ organisations OxVox and the Oxford United Supporters Panel received ‘significant’ feedback on this year’s offering and submitted a joint response to the club.

READ MORE: Date confirmed for Oxford United's Carabao Cup tie with Swansea

At the end of last season McWilliams pledged to work with the two groups, as well as the Oxford Fanatics, to improve the atmosphere at the three-sided stadium.

And he hopes supporters will notice a difference at the opening home game against Cambridge United on August 6.

He said: “We’ve talked before that we’re aware we have to help our fans create a better atmosphere within the stadium, and we’re working with fans' groups to promote that too.

“The product on the pitch is exceptionally good, what we have to do is look at improving the product off the pitch – make it a more entertaining, colourful and glamorous place to come.

“It’ll evolve as the season goes on, but we’ll certainly see some changes at the first home, competitive game of the season.”