Ticket prices up at the Hawthorns

Albion have announced the first season ticket price rises in three years for their return to the Premier League.

Adult season tickets for next season have risen by £50 on this year's normal rates and £100 on Early Bird prices, which are not on offer for next year.

The prices represent an average rise of around 13 per cent on normal prices and between 25 and 33 per cent on Early Bird rates used by large numbers of fans.

The cheapest adult season ticket will cost £399 with chief executive Mark Jenkins announcing the rise was needed to help the club compete in the top flight.

But in announcing next season's prices, a club statement said: "Average season ticket price for next season will comfortably be the lowest in the Midlands even if all neighbouring Premier League clubs freeze their prices."

Jenkins said: "Our season ticket prices compare very favourably to other clubs of our size in the top flight and we hope they are as well received by our supporters as they have been in recent years.

"We have been at the forefront of pricing season tickets as fairly and competitively as possible in recent years as we are very mindful of the current tough economic climate, particularly in the Black Country region.

"We had this very much in mind when deciding next season's prices, which we feel are excellent value for Premier League football.

"With season ticket income being our second biggest revenue stream after television fees, we also had to structure our prices in a way that will enable the club to be as competitive as possible in the Premier League."

Wolves, who look likely to retain their Premier League status for next season, are yet to announce their post-Early Bird renewal prices but the club's Early Bird scheme is underway for a ninth successive year.

The cheapest adult season ticket under Early Bird rates will cost £370 in the Jack Harris Stand for next season.

The same ticket for this season cost £493 for renewals and £522 for new applicants under non-Early Bird prices.

Matt Grayson, Wolves' head of marketing and communications, said: "We are offering Early Bird for the ninth successive season offering outstandingly good value, probably better than any other club.

"You need to look at the overall value being offered and the majority of our fans are watching Premier League football at Championship prices, an average of £19.50 per game."

At Villa, the cheapest adult season ticket for next season is in the North Stand, priced at £350.

Prices in the Holte End range from £390 to £495 depending on the location of the seats.

Albion smashed all records for their Premier League campaign two years ago, selling 21,700 season tickets.

And numbers held up well for this year's Championship campaign with 18,100 season ticket holders.

Current season ticket holders can renew from today at the East Stand box office, by phone on 0871 271 9780 online at www.wba.co.uk.

The deadline for renewals is 5pm on June 4 and new applications will be a possible from 9am on June 7.