Leeds United football club today signed a deal to provide the first ever football club-specific WAP mobile phone.
The club has entered a three-way partnership with BT Cellnet and software company WAP Integrators.
Under the deal, Leeds United fans will be able to bet on their team, buy tickets or send emails to other fans over a WAP-enabled mobile phone.
They will also be able to ask for a text message telling them when their team has scored, won a penalty or even a corner.
Fans signing up for a 12-month period will be given a free handset, free connection and one month's free line rental.
Managing director Mr Mike Mulvaney said the betting service would initially be tested with 100 fans but said he was confident the technology was reliable.
He said Leeds United estimated there could as many as 50,000 "ardent fans" who would be keen to sign up for the service. The Football Association claims Leeds United has a fan base of 1.7 million.
"There is a huge potential market for WAP phones linked to sporting clubs," Mr Mulvaney said. "We believe this deal is a WAP world-first which should generate revenue from the start."
PA