St Kilda has made history by signing 20,000 members in the fastest time in club history.

The Saints broke through the 20,000 mark late last week ahead of Tuesday’s NAB AFL Draft.

The club has set its sights on securing 40,000 members in 2016, having one of the highest member retention rates of any Victorian club throughout 2015.

RELATED: Be a Saints member in 2016

St Kilda CEO Matt Finnis said the bold target was looking more achievable as positive momentum builds around the club.

“There is a genuine sense of excitement around the Saints at the moment and that is reflected in signing 20,000 members before the end of November,” Finnis said.

“Our members are the most important people to our organisation and we are making a concerted effort to engage with our existing members, re-engage with those who have been with us in the past and reach out to those who we can welcome as new members.”

The club launched its 2016 campaign last month under the banner ‘Be St Kilda’.

In 2015 the Saints embarked on a successful 25 by 25 campaign, with the aim to sign 25,000 members before Christmas. That achievement is looking set to be matched this year after a promising season from St Kilda’s young group.

“We are delighted to hear that our fans are feeling more engaged by the club. We have had feedback that points to increased member satisfaction across a number of key areas,” Finnis said.

“Our job now is to continue to build that level of membership engagement and to keep taking the club to its people in exciting, new ways.”

Prospective members can join with the club with via Saints Easy Pay.

85 per cent of the club’s 2016 members have signed on through Saints Easy Pay, which allows them to avoid dealing with paperwork and also gives them instant access to their 2016 membership pack.