"Normal" SH are paid over 12 months
Nope - 10 months. Last DD for the current season gets taken on 28 Feb; first DD for next season gets taken at the back end of April. Also, my DD for the last 2 seasons at the AMEX was also 10 months, not 12.
Also, see this: http://www.seagulls.co.uk/news/article/take-advantage-of-direct-debit-option-856072.aspx