A CALL by Burnley MP Kitty Ussher to stop banks making money out of football clubs has received overwhelming support in the House of Commons.

And Mrs Ussher today said the petition was the first step in a campaign to highlight the issue over season ticket sales, following a complaint by Burnley FC.

Management from the club and the Clarets Trust complained last month about banks refusing to pass on all the takings from credit and debit cards immediately, preferring instead to pay by instalments in case clubs go bust.

Mrs Ussher has been backed by 18 fellow MPs this week who have added their signatures to the early day motion calling for a debate on the subject.

The list of names includes Alan Keen, the chairman of the All-Party Football Group in parliament.

Mrs Ussher said: "I'm delighted that the chair of the All-Party Football Group in Parliament has agreed to back this campaign and be one of the founder signatories.

"I have tabled the motion to highlight the injustice of banks withholding the cash from clubs from credit and debit card season ticket sales.

"This is a great boost to the campaign and it means that we have a high chance that lots of other MPs will add their own names, which will put additional pressure on government, banks and the regulatory authorities to respond.

"I've written to the relevant government ministers and regulatory authorities asking them to take any actions within their power to stop this practice."

Mrs Ussher also revealed she had also been in touch with David Davies, the chief executive of the Football Association, about the issue.

A petition has also been set up by the Clarets Trust.

A spokesman for the Association of Payment Clearance Services, an independent body representing credit companies, said: "This is a contractual arrangement between Burnley FC and their bank.

"They signed up to this and were made aware of the contractual arrangements from the outset."