The players may still be enjoying the Christmas/New Year break but the Carlton Football Club is already back in business for 2012.

The Carlton Shop at Visy Park opened for the New Year on Tuesday and the Carlton Membership Team also returned to work on Tuesday as the 2012 Membership tally continues to grow.

With close to 22,000 members already signed up for the coming season and to keep up with the pre-Christmas demand, the Club has extended the Reserved Seat renewal cut-off date to this Friday, January 6th.

The special ‘Early Bird’ offer was also extended to this Friday. The ‘Early Bird’ offer rewards members who join by Friday January 6th with an exclusive I AM CARLTON cap.

Carlton President Stephen Kernahan, who is also on leave, took time out during his break to send a message to wish Carlton members and supporters a happy New Year and to remind them of the cut-off date for the reserved seating and early bird offer.

“Members who had a reserved seat in 2011 have until this Friday (January 6th) to renew if they would like to keep their reserved seat for the 2012 season. For new members, check out our great range of reserved seat options available at iamcarlton.com.au.

“Make it your New Year’s resolution and become a Carlton Member today!,” Kernahan said in his email to members and supporters.

2012 Carlton memberships are available by calling 1300 CARLTON (1300 227 586), online at iamcarlton.com.au or in store at the Carlton Shop at Visy Park.

The Carlton Shop is open 9:00am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday and from 9:00am to 2:00pm on Saturday.

The Carlton players will commence training for 2012 next week with the first open training session at Visy Park to be held at 9:30am on Friday January 13th.