A TEENAGED Carlisle United fan will be travelling the length of the country this weekend . . . to become the club's first VIP fan of the week.

Jonathan Dand, 16, from Torquay in Devon, has been selected to launch the new United initiative to reward some of the club's most loyal supporters with a day they won't forget.

Jonathan and his dad will be flying to Newcastle, then hiring a car to arrive at Brunton Park in good time for their big day.

Like all future Fans of the Week, Jonathan will meet some of the players, be featured with a special page in the matchday programme and have his choice of music played over the Tannoy. He will also be welcomed by a special message on the electronic scoreboard, have hisphoto taken with some Blues players and go out onto the pitch at half time.

Jonathan has been a Blues fan since he was two, when his Carlisle-born dad Michael took him to his first match - away, not unnaturally, at Torquay. Mr Dand, who nominated him as the club's Fan of the Week, says: "He is absolutely, totally 100 per cent Carlisle United, through thick and thin. There is no more loyal supporter of Carlisle United than Jonathan, even though he lives almost 400 miles away from Brunton Park."

Asked what he would tell the players if he were giving the team talk before the game, Jonathan replies: "One word - 'Win'."

If you would like to nominate someone to receive the same VIP treatment, just let the club have their name and contact details.

You can let the club have your nominations in a variety of ways: by post to Fan of the Week, Carlisle United FC, Brunton Park, Carlisle CA1 1LL; e-mail media@carlisleunited.co.uk; call 01228 526237 or fill in one of the forms available at the Blues Store at Brunton Park or on the official club website.