Meet the Sharpe family from West Cumbria, who are among the Carlisle United fans rushing to snap up bargain-priced season tickets before this Friday's Early Buy discount deadline runs out.

Grandad Ken, 72, his sons Ted, 50, and Tony, 42, along with Tony's sons Jamie, 19, and Ryan, 17, have all saved themselves some extra cash by renewing their season tickets for the Paddock ahead of the 5pm cut-off on June 12.

Each of the family who span three generations enjoyed savings of up to £30 on normal season ticket prices, with Ken's seniors' pass for all 23 home League One fixtures for 2009-10 costing just £205, while Ted, Tony and Jamie paid £280 as adults and Ryan £140 as a junior.

Ken, now retired from his job at the Marchon chemical plant in Whitehaven, used to watch rugby before switching to the Blues. He said: "The five of us all go together to every United home game in the car - and most away matches too on a coach.

"Buying season tickets now before Friday's deadline saves us all a lot more money. The season tickets are good value anyway. You get loads of free matches and lots of other benefits and where else can you get nine months' entertainment for a couple of hundred quid?"

The Sharpes, who all live in Egremont, are the largest single family grouping on the club's season ticket database.

More than 100 fans signed up for season tickets yesterday as the rush to take advantage of the second and final Early Buy option entered its last week.

That took the number of season tickets sold so far to 1,350 - exactly half way towards last season's final total of 2,700, a figure only ever exceeded once in the club's history.

United's managing director John Nixon said: "There are some really good deals and savings on season tickets at the moment. There was almost a steady run all day yesterday through callers at the ticket office and via the post and we are expecting a lot more fans to take up the Early Buy discount before Friday's deadline. The signs are really positive."

The Early Buy discount is on top of the massive savings season tickets already offer fans, which work out at up to £180 on the cost of matchday admission for all 23 home league fixtures - the equivalent between five and nine free games.

This is the third successive year that season ticket prices have been frozen by the club. Supporters can also ease the cost by paying in five staggered instalments, which works out at less than £60 for adults.

Season tickets for adults cost £280 to stand or £360 to sit if bought before this Friday, rising to £310 or £390 respectively afterwards. The same prices apply to family membership for one adult and up to two children. For seniors, season tickets cost £205 or £250, rising to £225 and £265. Juniors are priced £145 or £160, rising to £160 and £185. Children are £40 or £60, rising to £45 or £65.

Carlisle will be taking on the likes of Leeds United, Norwich City, Charlton Athletic and Southampton in League One this season. The fixtures will be announced on Wednesday June 17.

Irish international Ian Harte will be among the new faces when the Blues report back for training on July 1. The 2009-10 League One campaign starts on Saturday August 8.

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

* Pictured left to right, in their United shirts, are Jamie, Tony, Ken, Ryan and Ted, the Blues' Sharpe-shooting season ticket holders.