World Cup glory just the ticket

BOUNDARY PARK LIFE: ATHLETIC are preparing for a potential £1million giveaway this summer.

The club's board of directors have given the green light to a scheme whereby those fans buying season tickets for the 2010/11 season will be given full refunds on the cost of their purchases — provided England win the World Cup in South Africa.

The brainchild of Athletic sales and marketing manager Guy Walker, the hope is that a whole new set of potential season ticket holders will jump on the offer to boost crowd numbers for next season in a similar way to incentives at rival clubs.

"This is a great way for our fans to back England to win the World Cup for the first time in 44 years," said Walker.

"Hopefully, it will provide an incentive big and powerful enough for fans to purchase season tickets for 2010/11."

With Fabio Capello's team rated 6-1 shots at some bookmakers to lift the trophy for the first time since 1966, the offer appears to carry a big financial risk for the club in terms of the cash which would then have to be handed back to Athletic supporters.

But chief executive Alan Hardy stressed that the club's owners will be only too happy to fork out in the event of an England triumph, particularly if — as is hoped — the deal causes a rise in the number of fans taking on season tickets with the club.

"It gives the fans a good chance of getting their money back, especially with England being one of the favourites, and adds a bit of excitement," said Hardy.

"Fabio Capello has done a terrific job in getting the team through qualification for the World Cup in such great style.

"Now, fans watching the tournament who buy a season ticket will have an extra incentive to want England to do well.

"We are hoping to significantly increase season ticket sales with this promotion and I can honestly say that the more we pay back to supporters, the happier we will be!

"Effectively, it is like us placing a £50 bet on England for every season ticket holder.

"This is a totally new innovation and it wouldn't surprise me if one or two other clubs copy it."

Athletic's big bet follows on from other notable schemes to raise crowd numbers.

League Two side Northampton Town will give fans who purchase season tickets before March 5 a free week's holiday accommodation in Spain or Tenerife, while non-league Mansfield Town of the Blue Square Premier gave supporters the chance to pay any sum they wanted at the turnstiles for their home match against Gateshead earlier this month, boosting the crowd figure to over 7,000 in the process.

To be eligible for Athletic's special England offer, fans must purchase season tickets before May 29