Zanka Claus: Huddersfield's Mathias Zanka promises travelling fans a drink on him at Southampton

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Jack Rosser @JackRosser_21 December 2017

Huddersfield’s Mathias Zanka has promised to bring some Christmas cheer to travelling fans at Southampton this weekend, regardless of the result.

The Terriers fans making the 472-mile round trip from John Smith’s Stadium to St. Mary’s on Saturday will all be treated to a drink on the Danish defender.

The 27-year-old, who has played every minute of Hudderfield’s maiden Premier League season so far, posted a tweet saying ‘#ZankaClaus is coming to Town!”

He added in a video message to the fans: "Your support this year has been truly amazing, so I thought I would think up something special for those of you travelling to Southampton this weekend."

Zanka’s goodwill gesture comes as the Football Supporters’ Foundation, in partnership with Virgin Media, revealed the true cost of following your team at Christmas.

The analysis includes the costs of tickets, travel and food incurred by fans for the games played between Boxing Day and January 4.

The average cost for a Premier League fan will be £182.08, with Chelsea fans having to hand over the least money - £54.63 to watch their team at Arsenal on January 3.

Supporters across the leagues will have to fork out an average of £171.37 and the average Premier League fan will travel 372.06 miles, with Brighton supporters having to go further than any other top-flight team, 816 miles to Chelsea and Newcastle.

Kevin Miles, chief executive of the FSF, said: "Despite money being tight around this time of year, supporters will be travelling up and down the country over Christmas and new year to back their teams in remarkable numbers once again.

"Away fans are a huge part of our match-going tradition and that shouldn't be taken for granted, so clubs and sponsors can and should do more in making football as affordable as possible."

Addition reporting by the Press Association.