ACCRINGTON Stanley supporters can now help their favourite team when they get a mortgage.

The Conference club has expanded into the property business -- and that could see house-hunting fans buying their dream home with a "Stanley Mortgage".

Under a new agreement with Clifford Smith & Buchanan, supporters who take out a mortgage with the Burnley business will automatically be boosting the club's coffers.

Stanley's commercial manager Karen Fazackerley said: "If someone wants to go in and look at a mortgage they can get a home visit or speak to people from Clifford Smith & Buchanan in the Burnley office for free.

"And if they decide to take on a mortgage with them we'll get a percentage.

"I'm quite new to the job here and I've been looking at different avenues where I could get financial revenue from.

"This is ideal. If it works then it works but if not we're not losing any money."

John Ryland, independent financial services manager at Clifford Smith & Buchanan, revealed five supporters taking up the Stanley Mortgage could help pay the salary of a player for a year.

The Stanley Mortgage Service will be officially launched at the home match against Southport on November 26 although it is available to fans from today.

A similar initiative was launched by Brentford Football Club at the start of the season involving a tie-up with Buckingham Mortgages.

Chairman of the company Geoff Buckingham said: "It's had limited success but it does have potential if the club is willing to push it."

Accrington are also looking into the possibility of setting up a savings account and a loyalty card, both of which could be launched before Christmas.