SOUTHEND United have introduced a new ticket-by-text system to help make purchasing tickets even easier for their supporters.

This new initiative, which has never been used before by a football club in Great Britain, allows fans to receive their tickets as a bar-coded text message to mobile phones.

And anyone who uses it for this weekend's home clash with Northampton Town will get £2 off the normal price of a ticket.

"As a football club we want to be at the forefront of technology and our tickets-by-text service takes all the hassle away from our supporters," explained chief executive Geoffrey King.

"To make this work however, we need the support of our loyal fans to make use of the service.

"You can sit anywhere in the ground at Roots Hall with tickets-by-text available for throughout the whole stadium."

Fans will hold their phones against the readers on the turnstiles to gain entry to the game and will also avoid queuing on a matchday.

One user of the service will also win an iPod as an incentive for fans to try ticket-by-text.

To book your place contact the ticket office on 08444 770077.