SANTA may find himself besieged with requests for soccer shares this year after the owners of Premier League side Sunderland announced plans to float on the British stock market before Christmas.

Supporters of the "Rokermen" will be able to join in the north east of England club's bid to raise up to £12 million sterling through a placing on the stock exchange as some of the shares will be reserved for private investors.

Sunderland plc expects to be valued at between £40 million and £45 million. Full details of the scheme and its timing have yet to be disclosed.