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Finance for Football Fanatics

Now that Euro 2008 tournament is heading towards its climax, football fans everywhere are starting to look forward to the start of the 2008/09 football season. Throughout the UK fans will be getting ready to support their team, either by buying this season's latest kit, shouting at the TV screen or singing on the terraces.

Whether it's Man United, Arsenal, Forest Green Rovers or Tipton Town FC, there are ways to support your club, just by going about your day to day finances.

Savings

With nearly 80 football affinity accounts on offer, most fans will be able to find a savings account which will help boost the finances of their favourite club. Most club websites have links to their affiliate sites. Norwich & Peterborough BS, Britannia BS and West Bromwich BS provide most of the affinity accounts in England, while Dunfermline BS provides most of the accounts for the Scottish clubs.

The interest rates on these accounts maybe lower compared with the market leading internet or telephone access accounts. However, most football fans may feel that giving their extra support to their club is worth it.

Football affinity accounts work by donating up to 1.25% of the balance in the account. So if Norwich City got a capacity crowd of 26,000 supporters and every fan had a £1,000 in the Norwich City Club Saver account, £325K would be donated to the club each year.

Credit Cards

The cost of a season ticket continues to increase. If you support one of the top premiership teams, the cost can run into hundreds of pounds. With many family finances struggling with the credit crunch, many may be wondering whether they can afford the cost this season. However, help is on hand with the Barclaycard Football MasterCard.

The card offers the chance to collect points at selected retailers, which can be redeemed for discounts at selected shops or to purchase exclusive gifts such as an England shirt signed by the 1966 world cup winners or a Brazil shirt signed by Pelé.

With the fixture lists just realised, football fans everywhere will be eagerly awaiting the start of next season. Now they can get additional funds for their club, just by having their team's savings account or credit card.