Martin joined London Irish as chief executive in September 2009

London Irish chief executive Andy Martin says a top four Premiership finish is the minimum he is expecting this season.

Irish finished last season in sixth, and Martin said he expects better.

He told BBC Berkshire: "We've a minimum standard across the business of top four, that's what is within the budget.

"We have high standards and Toby Booth has set the bar very high. We hung onto a Heineken Cup place which was the one good point of last season."

Martin, who took over as CEO in September 2009, also added that on-field successes would help the commercial aspects of the club.

"Winning on the pitch clearly helps us off the field," he said. "Some of the corporate renewals this year have been renewed at a very good rate but the conversations weren't as easy as last year because we had just came out of the [Premiership] final."

Martin added that despite the current economic climate, London Irish have continued to grow in the Thames Valley area.

"Gates were up at double-digit percentage," he explained.

"If you strip out some of the big games that have been taking place at other clubs, I think that is the top increase which is testament to where we are in Reading.

"I said when I first came in that we would do a lot of work in the Thames Valley. There is still a lot more to come but I'm delighted to see the area is responding.

He added: "The mapping that we do now in terms of who's coming to watch us shows us that a lot of it is coming from Thames Valley so we'll keep investing in the region as they keep coming to watch us which is great."

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