St Kilda Football Club CEO Matt Finnis has today thanked the club’s most loyal supporters after surpassing 40,000 members for the first time in history.

Finnis said the historic milestone, reached over the weekend, capped off four successive years of membership growth.

“To have more than 40,000 fans signed up as Saints members is both extremely exciting and motivating,” Finnis said.

“Members are the lifeblood of our club and to surpass 40,000 for the first time is a great achievement.”

“Last year we had the highest rate of membership retention of any Victorian AFL club, while also being number one in membership growth across the whole league.

“Having more than 40,000 people showing their support through memberships really pushes us even further to succeed.”

With an even spread between those aged under 25, between 26 and 50 and over 50, St Kilda has members based in more than 38 different countries, including Dubai, Kazakhstan, Mexico and Costa Rica.

There are also more than 4,500 members who have been signed up for over 20 years, and nearly 700 40-plus-year members.

Captain Jarryn Geary said the support meant a lot to the playing group.

“It’s always an honour to run out in the red, white and black, but to know that we now have a record amount of people supporting us makes it that much more special,” Geary said.

“We recognise how lucky we are to play football for a living and to have such a passionate, supportive group of people behind us really makes you want to work harder to achieve.”

Both Finnis and Geary encouraged fans who were not yet members to help the club create an even higher membership figure.

“We’re definitely not finished yet,” Finnis said.

“We’re targeting the ambitious goal of 42,000 members and urge any supporter who yet signed up to visit saintsmembership.com.au

“Membership packages start from just $60 and now is a great time to sign up.”

For more information visit saintsmembership.com.au.