Net yourself the best deal this season

With the transfer season in full swing and the 2009 football season fast approaching, devoted fans should ensure their football related credit cards and savings accounts are the best on the market. There is a wide range of products to choose from and some great deals on offer, so fans should take time to shop around to avoid scoring an own goal.

Credit cards

If fans want to show loyalty to their club by opting for an affiliated credit card, they can actually fare quite well. Most football-club cards offer 0 per cent balance transfer deals for 12 months, with 0 per cent on purchases for three months, and a competitive APR on a par with other leading credit cards. There are however several other cards out there with longer 0 per cent balance transfer periods, such as Virgin's 16 month offer, so unless they're a die hard fan it is wise to shop around.

Anyone looking for a card to spend on can also do better than a three-month interest-free period. The Tesco Clubcard Credit card, for example offers a 12-month interest-free period on purchases.

Kevin Mountford, head of banking at moneysupermarket.com, said: "Clubs are increasingly keen to increase revenue through new means, and stretching into financial services has been a useful avenue for them to pursue to this aim. Whilst the more complex affiliated products such as investment and mortgage products have not proved popular with football fans, they have been quick to embrace club credit cards.

"From a supporter's point of view, the financial connection to the club is tenuous at best; however, the credit card will carry the logo of their chosen team and it will identify them are a supporter willing to put their club where it counts - on their money. But for anyone who simply wants the best deal, Virgin is still man of the match when it comes to the best balance transfer deals."

Football savings accounts

A number of clubs offer affiliated savings accounts. The top scoring club savings account from Barnsley FC offers 1.5 per cent AER and while this may seem reasonably competitive against the Bank of England base rate, currently 0.5 per cent, it loses its shine when compared with the best standard deals available. Fans could get double the interest if they opted for the Alliance & Leicester or Birmingham Midshires accounts, offering 3.15 per cent AER.

Kevin added: "Football related savings accounts need to be evaluated against the wider market and from a purely financial perspective, the current ‘best buys' offer a much better return on savings which is more important than ever in this low interest rate environment. However, for some fans, it won't just be about the interest rate. Its worth remembering that football affiliated savings accounts often offer a raft of other benefits including financial contributions to the club and ‘money can't buy' offers. Provided supporters are aware of the pros and cons and shop around for the best deal, a football affiliated savings account can be a great way to support your team - just don't keep all your money in that account. If you can afford to, mix and match so you reap the benefits of such an account and give something back to your club, while having some of your savings in an account paying a better rate of interest."