Southend United FC are encouraging fans to register with FantasticFanatics.com, an online and in-store retail platform, which enables football fans to raise money for the club through everyday shopping.
The innovative and secure platform delivers a new revenue stream to sports clubs, trusts and governing bodies. Southend United receives funds whenever fans and stakeholders’ shop, eat out, book hotels and lots more. With no cost to clubs, organisations or supporters, the platform simply generates funds when members buy the things they are already buying at affiliated retailers.
Supporters just have to register with Fantastic Fanatics and choose Southend United as a beneficiary. They can then securely register their everyday debit or credit card, and purchases they make online will raise money for the club. Supporters are automatically entered into cash prize draws, and the more money they raise, the more chance they have winning.
Retailers taking part include a large number of major online stores including Boots, B&Q, Currys PC World, JD Sports, John Lewis, Clarks, and Sky. In the near future in-store purchases will also be supported in the area, further increasing the flexibility of contributing to the development of the club, and the great work they do, on and off the pitch.
Southend United FC General Manager Rhys Ellingham said:
"We are delighted to partner with Fantastic Fanatics. We have a large, passionate and motivated support base here at the club and this partnership could raise significant funds for the club and help deliver income for development of the youth academy, stadium infrastructure and community projects.
"We appreciate how difficult things are for football and its supporters currently, with health concerns and the financial uncertainty that the Covid-19 pandemic has brought, therefore the fact this method of generating funds for the club does not cost the supporters anything and will allow the club / trust to benefit from purchases they are making anyway, make the proposition very appealing."
Fantastic Fanatics Operations Director, Barry Munro said:
"We are delighted to have such an innovative and pioneering club such as Southend United FC onboard and are pleased to play a part in helping raise funds to help meet the club’s goals and objectives. Hopefully, Fantastic Fanatics can generate new, substantial, and regular funds for the club in these challenging times for sport and football clubs across the country.
"The technology behind Fantastic Fanatics makes things so simple for the supporter, as they can choose the association or club they want to support, make a purchase at one of their favourite online retailers and generate a commission, all with a few clicks of the mouse. Our in store offering means registered retailers will automatically send a percentage of the bill to the sports club – there is no extra card or app required. It’s business as usual at the point of sale for the consumer and the retailer.
"Ultimately, Fantastic Fanatics enables sports clubs and organisations to worry less about the finances and get on with what they do best – delivering the benefits of sport to their fans, communities, participants and members."
Supporters can sign up for a free account at fantasticfanatics.com/ and there is a helpful “how it works” page here along with an extensive FAQ and support page here.