Carlisle United fans only have until 5pm on Thursday to take advantage of the club's new credit crunch-busting Early Buy option on season tickets, which is proving incredibly popular.

More than 500 supporters have already saved themselves an extra £20 by snapping up cut-price season tickets for the 2009-10 campaign ahead of the newly-introduced April 30 deadline.

The further £20 discount per season ticket, which runs out tomorrow, is in addition to the price freeze that the club has maintained on them for the third year running. It means a saving of up to £50 can be made on season tickets compared to the full price charged for those bought after the second Early Buy option on June 12.

Under the initial April 30 deadline, season ticket holders can now receive the equivalent of free admission to up six matches for adults, seven for seniors or 11 for children. Until 5pm tomorrow, season tickets cost from as little as £260 for adults or family membership, £185 for seniors (standing) and just £35 for children.

United's managing director and joint owner John Nixon today praised United fans their incredible show of loyalty in already buying 517 season tickets for 2009-10 despite them not even knowing yet if United will be playing in League One again next season.

He said: "It is an astonishing show of support from our fans for the club, especially after how disappointing this season has been. It has been a real tonic for everyone at the club and has given us all a lift.

"We had set ourselves a target from our 2,700 season ticket holders to reach by the initial April 30 Early Buy deadline, which we introduced for the first time this year, and we were delighted to see that we had gone past the 500 mark by the close of business yesterday.

"And with two more days to go until the 5pm deadline on Thursday, we are hoping we can push on and that a lot more fans will take advantage of the extra £20 saving.

"I'd like to thank them all for their loyalty. It shows that our fans are getting right behind the club just when we need them most."

Season tickets can be purchased from the ticket office at Brunton Park during office hours or by calling the club's new ticket office direct line on 0844 371 1921 or by emailing ticket.printing@carlisleunited.co.uk.