Supporters of both Gretna and Whitehaven Amateurs will be able to take part in Carlisle United's official lottery via membership cards from their own favourite soccer outfits from the start of this season.

 

Profits from the Blues Lotto, which hands out prizes totalling £50,000 a year, will continue to go into the Brunton Park coffers.

 

But a slice will now also go to Gretna and Whitehaven Amateurs, depending on how many of their fans sign up to the £1 a week lottery, which pays out a £100 prize on all 365 days of the year as well as a £10,000 summer jackpot.

 

Carlisle United's promotion manager Ewan Wood said: "With due respect, no other sporting club in our region can afford to pay out that kind of prize money from their own lottery, never mind start one up from scratch. So as the biggest and most successful football club in the region, we are happy to invite fans from other clubs, starting off with Gretna and Whitehaven Amateurs, to sign up to Blues Lotto for the chance to win some money for themselves while raising cash for their favourite clubs."

 

Blues Lotto's regular prizes also include a £1,000 winner every other month as well as a range of consolation prizes, but this will become more lucrative as it expands to encompass the two new football clubs.

 

Ewan added: "I know all about the history and rivalry between Carlisle United and Gretna but we stepped forward with the Blues Lotto after the group of fans up there who have formed a new club started seeking ways to raise funds, following all the financial problems last year. I'm glad to welcome them because this way, while they are raising money for their team, they will also be raising money for Carlisle United. Whitehaven Amamteurs are a progressive club who have just joined the Northern League, so it is new beginning for them as well. Supporters of both those clubs will get their own Blues Lotto club membership cards. And as Blues Lotto grows, we will be able to increase the prize fund, making it even more attractive to everyone."

 

Blues Lotto was launched in June 2005 to raise money for youth and ground development projects at Carlisle United, as well as general sport in Cumbria. Members can keep the same numbers for a year and the more members who enrol, the more the prize fund increases.

 

Agents are paid commission. To become an agent, call 01228 526 237.

 

Any more sports clubs interested in taking part in Blues Lotto can ring the same number.