Thanks to an unprecedented partnership with Thornaby Town Council, any household paying the parish precept is entitled to a fully-funded season ticket covering all home league fixtures for both the men's and women's sides.
With approximately 24,000 people eligible, the club is calling on the wider community to take advantage of the groundbreaking offer.
Ryan McKnight, chief operating officer at Thornaby FC, said: "To see 2,500 applications already and more than 650 fans coming down to collect their tickets is absolutely phenomenal.
“The momentum is building, but we know there are still thousands of eligible residents out there who haven't claimed their pass.
“This is a unique opportunity to back your local club and be part of a vibrant matchday atmosphere without a single penny leaving your pocket.
“I strongly urge everyone who qualifies to sign up, secure your fully-funded ticket and help us make Teesdale Park a fortress starting this Saturday and beyond."
The ticket rush comes at the perfect time, as Thornaby prepare for a massive Ebac Northern League Division One season opener against title-favourites Bishop Auckland at Acklam Road this Saturday (kick-off 3pm).
Bishop Auckland, newly relegated from the Northern Premier League East Division, represents a huge early test.
Due to the expected bigger crowd this weekend, Saturday’s match is a ticket-only affair. Fans who have not yet secured a season ticket must order their matchday tickets online in advance to guarantee entry.
Those claiming their tickets will be treated to a new-look Thornaby squad. Joint-managers Craig Skelton and Simon Kasonali, who successfully steered the club away from the threat of relegation last season, have utilised their first full summer at the helm to spark a ‘youth revolution.’
The squad's average age in their final pre-season friendly was just 20.2, highlighted by the acquisition of highly sought-after forward Spencer Walker from Boro Rangers, who immediately made his mark by netting four goals in his first appearance in a Blues shirt.
Craig said: “It will be fantastic to see so many new faces coming through the gates at Teesdale Park following the success of the season ticket offer.
“We have seen people sign up in their thousands, and we would love to see even more people do the same. You are backing your local side and uniting the community.
“You don’t have to come to every game, but once you have been to one, you will want to come back!
“People will have been watching the World Cup, and this is an excellent opportunity for more people to experience live football without anything leaving their pocket.”
Looking ahead to the visit of Martin Gray’s Bishop Auckland side, and the season as a whole, Skelton added: “We are absolutely buzzing for the new season to get underway.
“Since the last campaign ended, Kas and I haven't stopped working to recruit the right players and rebuild this squad.
“We’ve brought in eight new signings, perfectly blending the vital experience of players like Joe Pickett and Brad Mills with a crop of hungry, talented younger lads.
“We know we have a tough start on paper against a strong Bishops side, but we are firmly targeting a top-half finish. The league will be even harder this year, but we know on our day we can challenge anyone.”
The excitement extends beyond the men's team. The Thornaby FC Women’s side is gearing up for a landmark campaign of their own.
The women’s first season in National League North will officially kick off on Sunday, August 15 with a demanding away fixture against Leeds United, before bringing an exciting level of women's football back to Teesdale Park for season ticket holders to enjoy.
*People can still apply for a season card via https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=Pl0QzFSmdkWuj0XZHJ_Tha3JBDg30YdKtRYQmza3SCBUQ0g0M0VUWFVUNjc5SVJaM1gxREw2Q0gzUS4u&route=shorturl
*Those outside of the area wanting to come to the game can pay on the day or online via https://www.ticketsource.com/thornaby-fc
