The executive director of the Tasmanian AFL team-to-be says the take-up of more than 100,000 foundation memberships has been “deeply humbling” and vindication for the long pursuit – and eventual award – of the competition’s 19th licence.

The club launched its name and colours on Monday night ahead of its scheduled 2028 entry, and had forecast it might sell 40,000 foundation memberships in the first year.

The count has already passed 120,000 and Kath McCann, who is leading the Devils during their establishment phase, said the response had been “extremely humbling and somewhat overwhelming, but in a really positive way”.

“We’ve felt the community is speaking and speaking very loudly, and very quickly about their desire [for a team],” she said.

The club is yet to analyse the breakdown of sign-ups, but McCann said the majority were from Tasmanian addresses.

AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon said the membership count reflects the strong football traditions in the state.

“One hundred and fifty-plus years of heritage they have been able to draw on,” he said.

However, he said in order to succeed the club needed the “best facility, centrally located, stadium at Macquarie Point”, Dillon said.

The number of foundation members suggests tickets for the club’s proposed 23,000 stadium, if it is ever built, will be in high demand.

The planned arena on Hobart’s waterfront has become a political controversy in the lead-up to Saturday’s state election.

The Liberal government hopes to allay concerns by capping its financial contribution to the venue which is set to cost more than $700m. The Labor opposition hopes to renegotiate the deal with the AFL to avoid having to build the new facility.

The AFL maintains if the stadium is not built, the team will not have a place in the competition.

McCann said it is too early to be talking about how the club will allocate tickets to members.

“Over the next few years, you’ll see tiers and other benefits, including ultimately tickets that will be part of the membership offering, but that’s not for now,” she said.

Foundation members paid $10 and are to receive a membership card, a sticker and early access to merchandise, as well as have their name adorn the club’s headquarters.

“With the numbers that we’re currently seeing, it will have to be a relatively small font, and that’s pretty exciting,” McCann said.

While most fans supported the club’s decision to retain a traditional Tasmanian name and colours, the response to the jumper was more mixed.

McCann confirmed the initial design represents the “foundation” guernsey and would go on sale in the first release of merchandise. The club plans to release and ultimately play in more than just the predominantly green strip.

McCann – who also sits on the Tasmanian Development Board – was one of nine Devils’ directors appointed in September, and became executive director in January for a period of two years.

A chief executive is expected to be appointed later this year, commencing in 2025.

Richmond CEO Brendon Gale – who was born in Burnie – is reportedly set to take the role.

The club was able to use the name Devils after securing permission from Warner Bros, owner of the Tasmanian Devil trademark.

Jim Cummings, the voice of the animated Devil as well as characters such as Winnie the Pooh and Tigger, provided his support to the club in a message on social media.