BRADFORD City has signed up its first corporate season ticket holder as part of a new initiative to bolster commercial support for the club.

After successfully launching its season ticket campaign for individual fans - and dropping the price to £149 plus a free ticket for under 11s - the Bantams is targeting companies to buy blocks of tickets to use as incentives for their employees .

First to sign up is current club sponsor credit provider Provident Financial which has bought ten corporate season tickets.

James Mason. City's chief operating officer, said: "We have spoken to a lot of local businesses - small, medium and large- and it was clear there was an opportunity to offer them an affordable corporate season ticket that they could offer to employees who might want to watch games for the first time or those that couldn't afford to buy one outright.

"As a result we've launched a corporate season ticket scheme and are delighted that one our current sponsors Provident Financial are the first to show their support by buying ten as part of an extension to their current commitment with us.

"While we appreciate not all businesses have big marketing budgets, we would welcome any entrepreneurial business owner to come forward and suggest how they could help us in any way. If it was just a couple of tickets to a bigger sponsorship deal we would welcome the support. The Club has sponsorship budgets to suit all and we want businesses along with us for the journey as we are planning on going only one way - up.

"The whole city wins if the football club is buzzing and attendances are up. Pubs and bars are full, shop tills are ringing and the whole district is buzzing on match days."

Paul Mitchell, Provident's sponsorship manager, said: “We think the corporate season ticket is a fantastic idea and great value for money for any business that wants to support its employees and the communities in which they are based.

"As well as making them available to colleagues and to our business partners, the season tickets will enhance our community enclosure sponsorship by supporting our community outreach programme, ‘Good Neighbour’, and its charity partners through giveaways and fundraising prizes on a match by match basis. We’ll also include them in competition prizes to Bantams supporters.

"We’re delighted to be the first business to sign up and hope many more join in the exciting journey this great club is on.”

See Wednesday's Bradford Means Business supplement for a closer look at City's expanding commercial operations.