Unique voucher deal is a cup winner!

Needham Market’s officials have come up with a unique way to take advantage of the international break and attract new fans to the Ryman North club while not falling foul of the Football Association’s rules.

Knowing that season ticket holders of many Championship and Premier League clubs will be having the weekend off and that they are banned from offering reduced admission to their FA Cup Third Qualifying Round tie against Witham Town at Bloomfields, the Marketmen are issuing a voucher inside the matchday programme for half price admission to their November 15 clash with Chatham Town which coincides with the next international break.

Needham Market's chief executive Graham Emmerson said: "We would have liked to offer reduced admission to all of our fans this Saturday but we are not allowed by FA Cup rule. By offering a voucher that can be used in conjunction with a club’s season ticket this will allow true football supporters to enjoy their Saturday afternoon at a football match at a fraction of the cost."

The Suffolk club’s own season ticket holders will be able to get an item of club merchandise for half price using the same voucher after officials announced the Non-League Day style initiative this week to attract new fans and showcase Non-League football.

The Marketmen were unable to take part in September’s Non-League Day 2014 as they were away at Thamesmead Town but they did lay on reduced travel for fans and NMFC commercial manager Alan Jopling is hoping their latest initiative will catch the imagination of supporters.

He said: "The Ryman clubs that we play have consistently demonstrated a willingness to join any initiatives that will benefit the clubs or fans attending.

"If with this latest offer we can show followers of the professional teams that there is good quality entertainment at other local clubs, we hope they will join us more regularly. Indeed, with the number of ex-professionals in the Needham side we must be worth a visit."

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