Wolves have sold nearly 14,700 Season Tickets under the Early Bird scheme – the second highest figure since the initiative was launched back in 2002.

The recession-busting vote of support from the galleries suggests the Molineux fans have not been so optimistic about watching Premier League football next season since they were last in the top flight.

In 2004, the New Year, early Spring defiance of Dave Jones’ survival fighters helped encourage 17,422 fans to snap up Early Bird season tickets in the belief Wolves might win their battle against relegation.

With the remaining applications now processed, following the March 13 deadline, 14,657 tickets have been snapped up, a take-up rate by existing season ticket holders of more than 83 per cent.

“This is a slightly higher figure than we were initially anticipating prior to the final batch of applications and obviously it is great news,” said Molineux chief executive Jez Moxey. “It’s a fantastic show of support, and we would like to once again thank the fans.”

Meanwhile, tickets to join the next exodus from the city went on general sale today.

The first 1,000 tickets of the allocation for the crunch clash with Blues at St Andrew’s were up for grabs but, after the 5,000-plus at Forest, Wolves have to be content with a 2,700 allocation for this game.