Chancellor George Osborne has handed Carlisle United fans another money-saving incentive to buy a season ticket for the new 2010-11 campaign.
VAT will rise 2.5% to 20% on January 4 next year, forcing most businesses including football clubs to put up their prices from that date to cover the tax increase.
But Blues fans who buy season tickets will escape any possible rise in admission charges at Brunton Park in the new year, having already paid for all 23 npower League One home fixtures in advance, including 10 after January 4.
The club are also helping out by extending the deadline to set up standing order payments on season tickets from last week to 5pm this Friday (JULY 2). This enables fans to make five equal monthly installments, starting on July 12 through to November 12, at no extra charge.
Anyone who misses Friday's deadline will still be able to pay by standing order, provided they make the first month's payment themselves up front.
United's managing director John Nixon said: "Unfortunately, it is highly likely that we will need to increase admittance prices in January 2011 to cover the increase in VAT we will have to pay. Of course, this will need to be ratified by a board meeting.
"As always, buying a season ticket is by far the cheapest way to watch Carlisle United play regularly at Brunton Park and our supporters can still buy one at the old VAT rate to counter any increase. We have tried to be as flexible as we can by also arranging to extend the deadline to set up standing orders to this Friday."
Adult season tickets cost £323 to stand or £408 to sit, with seniors at £236 or £280. Juniors are £172 or £193 and children's are £82 or £107. Some of the best deals are for family season tickets, from just £323 for one adult and up to two youngsters.
United have so far sold 1,750 season tickets, with the kick-off of the new 2010-11 campaign at home to Brentford on Saturday August 7 still more than a month away.
Season tickets can be bought by:
+ calling in at the Brunton Park Ticket office 10am-5pm Mon-Fri
+ telephoning 0844 371 1921
+ clicking HERE to download the application form
+ clicking HERE to download the Standing Order Mandate details (for fans wishing to pay by standing order only)
+ emailing ticket.printing@carlisleunited.co.uk to request a form
+ faxing 01228 554 141
+ writing to Carlisle United FC ticket office, Brunton Park, Warwick Road, Carlisle, Cumbria CA1 1LL.
