FC United will ask supporters to decide how much to pay for their own season ticket based on what they can afford.

The decision has been taken by the breakaway club’s elected board in recognition of the current financial climate and to maintain their policy of providing affordable football.

The UniBond Premier side, who missed out on a record-equalling fourth successive promotion, hope fans who are not feeling the pinch as much will be able to donate more.

FC board member Jules Spencer said: “We believe we’re the first football club to ask each supporter to choose what they pay for their own season ticket.

“FC United like all clubs need to raise revenue and we will feel the pinch in the coming months just as any other club will in this economic climate. But given our philosophy of providing affordable football, we do not feel unilateral price increases are the way forward.

“So we hope the ‘Your Season Ticket, Your Choice’ campaign will do two things. First, it will offer a lower season ticket price for those supporters who cannot now afford last year’s price, which was around £140.

“Secondly, it means those supporters who can afford a bit more can choose to donate as much as they wish to help fund the club’s operating costs.

“It is an ambitious campaign but we have raised similar amounts of money in the past so we hope we can do so again.

“This is about empowerment, of collective responsibility, of us all pulling together to ensure the club’s future in a way that reflects our founding principles.

“We have been asked if we’re being foolhardy but why shouldn’t a football club trust its own supporters? FC United is after all a member-owned club, so everyone has a vested interest in making this a success.”

Season tickets for under-18s will remain at the equivalent of £1 per game.