EAST FIFE Football Club intend to bounce back from their own misfortune at the hands of the current credit crisis by auctioning off the opportunity to sponsor the club to supporters and local businesses.

From next Monday individuals, groups, or local businesses can buy a raffle ticket at £250 a time to be entered into a draw that will take place at the end of February.

Three tickets will be drawn, with the first prize being the winner’s name on the front of the team’s home kit, the second prize having their name on the back of the home kit, and third prize winning sponsorship rights of the team’s shorts.

Winners will have their names on the shirts until the end of the 2009/10 season, with those who do not win receiving full hospitality for four at East Fife’s Bayview Stadium during a game next season.

The novel fund-raising approach has come about after the Methil club split from this season’s initial shirt sponsor, the Largo Trust, over claims from the club that the charity failed to pay fees believed to be around £68,000, something the trust denied.

Though a statement from the East Fife last month confirmed the money was not essential for day-to-day running of the club, improvements to the ground could not go ahead without this funding.

Nobody from the club was available to speak to The Courier yesterday afternoon, however initial response to the scheme from supporters has been overwhelmingly positive.

Posts on the unofficial fansite, “Away From The Numbers,” have included, “It would be a dream come true,” and “An ideal opportunity for all of the supporters to help the club.”