Wolves supporters club plan to boycott Boro

Tickets have been set at £32 for one of Wolves' longest trips of the season, which has been moved to a Friday night for Sky Sports television coverage.

Hatherton Wolves – the largest independent Wolves supporters club – said the ticket cost was the 'deciding factor' in choosing to snub the match.

The club has been taking fans to matches for 27 years.

Russ Evers, who runs the group along with Roy Tansley, said: "To have the ticket prices quoted at £32 was the deciding factor and we have now decided to boycott this event.

"This has obviously inconvenienced those who were planning to go but there comes a time when a stand must be taken. Enough is enough."

Official Wolves coach travel for the match has been priced at £25.

Mr Evers, aged 51, added: "The whole Middlesbrough trip - especially for those who are self-employed - is too much.

"It could end up costing £32 ticket, £25 coach, £10 taxi home, £25 food and drink and £50 loss of earnings, which equals £142, the equivalent of a week's holiday in Spain."

The group recently shelled out £700 to as a goodwill gesture to 17 fans who made the equally-lengthy trip to Brighton on New Year's Day, another one of 13 matches moved for television coverage this season.

They normally cater for around 100 fans every away game and decided to reward the 17 with free travel due to the disruption that had been caused.

Mr Evers added: "Due to the loss this caused and having assessed the desire among our regulars to take a half or full day off work, we still planned on running a trip to Middlesbrough.

"They would sit in traffic for five hours, get home in the early hours of the following morning and have to organise taxis etc at more expense.

"For away games, changing kick off times and dates for television coverage causes issues for coach organisers and companies.

"Arranging time off work or changing shifts for most people going to the game causes general disenchantment all round."

So far this season, 13 Wolves matches have been moved for television coverage.

Wolves boss Kenny Jackett said of supporters being unhappy with prices: "I certainly understand their feelings. Myself and the players really do appreciate their support.

"Again on Saturday at Reading, they were vocal and drove us on. To get results away from home, you need that.

"Some presence from the crowd affects a referee, it does. My former club, away from home, it was very hard to get too many decisions.

"Being at Wolves we have a strong presence. We really do appreciate the backing."

And of ticket pricing in general, he added: "It's a very hot topic. Supporters will see there's a lot of money in the game now, so you could subsidise it.

"The bottom line is losses for the owner. In any type of football equation, look at losses for the owner and then start looking up."