Nov 22, 2006__Fulham football club is utilising RFID technology to track supporters in a bid to improve queue efficiency and boost safety at its Craven Cottage grounds.

A new RFID smartcard has been developed for use by the London-based premiership club, containing specific data on football matches that the cardholder has paid for. Each card holds a chip and aerial, and can be updated via telephone.

Some 20,000 of these new smartcards have been issued to Fulham members and season-ticket customers.

In total, 46 smartcard readers have been installed on turnstiles at the club's grounds.

Fulham's head of IT, Matthew McGrory, describes the new system as faster and safer.

"The old system took, at the best of times, ten to 20 seconds per season-ticket holder on the turnstile," he said.

"That is now down to four seconds."

Other football clubs embracing RFID technology include Coventry City, Manchester City, Reading and Wigan.

Earlier this year Fulham installed a wireless network at Craven Cottage.

TUV Product Service, part of the TuV SuD Group of companies with 1bn Euros turnover, in excess of 9,500 employees and 500 locations worldwide, is a leading provider of Compliance and Assurance Solutions for the RFID sector. Please contact us (info@tuvps.co.uk) for further information.

source: www.tuvps.co.uk