Back your team with a card that gives them cash support

IT DOESN'T seem five minutes since the last football season ended, yet here we are in the second week of August, and the new season is under way once more.

With many high-profile clubs in the UK being taken over by multi-millionaires from all over the world, their financial position is pretty much secure for the time being.

However, it is a totally different picture when you look outside the top flight of clubs, with many scraping through from year to year, their finances balanced on a knife-edge.

If you're keen on doing your bit for your favourite team, why not consider a credit card that gives a donation from profits to boost their depleted coffers?

MBNA for example has more than 70 football affinity cards on offer, including the likes of Celtic, Rangers and Hearts.

Cards for all three clubs offer 0 per cent interest on any transferred balances for the first 12 months (subject to a 3 per cent handling fee) as well as 0 per cent on any purchases in the first three months.

In addition the Celtic card gives you the chance to earn reward points, and the more points you earn, the better the reward. While 1,000 points may only get you a signed team photo, 6,000 points entitles you to lunch with the manager.

On the subject of plastic, hot off the press for this season is the Barclaycard Football credit card that you can use to purchase your season ticket and then repay what you can afford each month without having to pay any interest.

With tickets for some of the top sides in Scotland and England running into many hundreds of pounds, having to cover the cost in one go can make a pretty hefty dent in your pay packet, so it makes sense to spread the cost, especially if it's interest free.

The card also offers 0 per cent interest-free borrowing for 12 months on balances transferred and allows you to collect reward points to redeem at JJB Sports or against the latest team shirt or football merchandise. Using the card also enters you for some exclusive prize offers.

Most of you football fans are proud to wear your team's colours and support them come rain or shine, so why not take that loyalty one step further by taking a financial product that will have a positive impact on your team? It may not help their performances on the pitch, but it might be enough to see them through another tough financial season.

? Andrew Hagger is head of news and press at Moneyfacts.co.uk, a financial search engine