FANS TO DITCH SEASON TICKETS

Nineteen per cent of Manchester United fans asked in a survey said they would not renew their season tickets because of the cost. Despite an average 12 per cent increase in season ticket prices, the Reds have still been over-subscribed for next season, but the increased cost is beginning to bite.

Across the leagues, a study by Virgin Money found that more than 200,000 football fans will not renew their season tickets this summer.

The survey consulted 690,000 season-ticket holders from clubs across the country, and the results show 29% blame the rising costs of following their team or the poor quality of football on offer as the reasons for not renewing.

A whopping 31% of Aston Villa season-ticket holders consulted said they will be absent next campaign because of the standard of football on display.

Malcolm Clarke, chairman of the Football Supporters' Federation, said:

"We've been begging clubs to peg ticket price rises for ages now. It appears that if this research proves correct our worst fears will be proved correct.

"Football in this country is simply pricing itself out of the market compared to other top European countries like Germany and Spain. With the new money coming into football from the newly announced Premier League television deals there should be a price freeze on tickets at a minimum."

Percentages of season-ticket holders not intending to renew next season:

Due to cost: Man Utd 19%, Birmingham 18%, West Brom 17%, Cardiff 16%, Portsmouth 14%.

Due to standard of football: Villa 31%, Millwall 29%, Wolves 28%, Southampton 27%, Sunderland 26%