Carlisle United will usher in a new era of matchday experience for supporters at Brunton Park when they take on Hibs in their final pre-season friendly fixture on Sunday afternoon (kick off 2pm).
In a ground-breaking move, the Blues' will launch a new-look cut-price official matchday programme, which will go on sale for the first time against the Edinburgh outfit, priced just £1.
Yes - that's right - only £1 instead of £3 for last season's bulkier programme represents a potential saving of £2 per game for Blues fans attending home games in the new 2010-11 campaign.
A new issue of the slimmed-down 16-page programme, called The United Review, will go on sale in the same format at EVERY home league and cup game throughout this season at the same price of £1, helping to reduce the cost of attending Carlisle home games.
Significantly, the change will also enable the club to fulfil its ambition of launching a glossy new official colour magazine of its own, which will be published every two months, starting in September.
Called United Scene, the magazine will be packed with Carlisle United features and photos and will include exclusive interviews and insights into what goes on behind the scenes at Brunton Park. More details will follow about the first edition which will be available at the ground and at retail outlets from September 1 priced £3.95 - but we can guarantee lots or surprises and some fantastic prizes!
United director Dick Young said: "We have felt for some time that big and expensive matchday programmes which have developed over the last few decades were nearing the end of their natural life. Information about the two clubs and the particular fixture being played that day is now instantly and easily available for free in advance on the internet to most people, including via our own official Carlisle United website.
"This shift was reflected in falling sales of those bulky 64-page programmes, not just here but at grounds around the country, as spectator habits and preferences evolved. So we have taken a bold step and decided to introduce a completely new package that we believe will please our fans.
"We would hope that many of those supporters coming to home games will be able to afford £1 to buy a matchday programme which will still contain all the essential information about the match. We are also really excited about the new United Scene magazine, which offers something completely different and fresh for anyone who is interested in Carlisle United."
The idea of switching to a cut-price matchday programme and launching a glossy magazine to be published every two months came from United's media officer and programme editor Andy Hall, who will oversee the editorial content of both publications. Andy said: "We are one of the first clubs in the country to switch away from the traditional full-price matchday programme and introduce a cut-price issue for just £1. I believe a lot more clubs will follow our lead in the coming seasons.
"The launch of the new United Scene magazine is a really significant move forward for the club. Most Premier League teams produce their own glossy publications every month and we think the time is right now for Carlisle United to have their own quality lifestyle-type magazine for fans to enjoy reading at their leisure in the comfort of ther own homes."
Both the United Review programme and the United Scene magazine are being designed and printed by Print Graphic in Warwick Road just across the road from Brunton Park, which is important as the club is keen to support local businesses.
Subscriptions for all six 2010-11 editions of Carlisle Scene are available now by calling the Blues Store on 01228 554138. They cost £23.70 if collected at the Blues Store or £29.70 by post (UK) and £35.70 (abroad). The magazine will include exclusive subscriber-only offers and competitions.
