SUNDERLAND have introduced an interest-free season ticket payment scheme for next season.

Supporters unable to pay the full price for a season ticket will be able to pay a one-third deposit and then pay the balance in four monthly installments.

The new scheme follows the publication of the annual Premier League Fans Survey by Leicester University which showed that Sunderland have some of the least affluent fans in the country.

Research showed that nearly 50 percent of Sunderland fans earned less than £20,000 a year, compared to only 25 percent in the south east.

Chairman Bob Murray, who has insisted that admission to the Stadium of Light will always be affordable to Sunderland fans, wants more and more supporters to be able to buy season tickets, whatever their means.

He said: "Having already rewarded all of our season ticket holders with a price reduction for the coming season and introduced new lower priced ticket categories for all young people up to the age of 22, we are determined to deliver the Stadium of Light as the most affordable and accessible ground in the Premiership.

"It is vital that we continue to expand and develop the club, and our season ticket base is key to this.

"We are well aware that not all supporters can easily afford to pay for a season ticket all at once and we have been working hard to secure an attractive payment plan."

He added: "We have designed this scheme to appeal to those supporters who otherwise would be unable to buy a season ticket. We want to enable as many fans as possible to join us on match days whatever their personal circumstances and continue to grow the club at great pace so we can pursue stadium expansion.

"Our policy of affordable and accessible football is admired and recognised nationally and in line with this we will still continue to hold back some tickets for match-to-match sales."

The interest-free scheme will be available to over-18s who hold a registered bank account and the cost of tickets purchase must not be less than £200 in total.

Tickets are available for all areas of the stadium and young supporters prices range from £95 for under-12s to £220 for under-22s, while adult concessionary prices start at £320. Further details of the new scheme can be obtained from 0870 011 2266.