Wolves have revealed a seven-and-a-half per cent drop in season ticket sales on 12 months ago.

The club have currently sold 18,498 season tickets in comparison to 19,975 at this time last year, showing a drop of 1,477.

The fall, which the club puts down to the recession, comes despite Early Bird prices being frozen for online renewals, a record summer spend of £18million on new signings and top-flight survival for the first time since 1981.

But the figures merely reflect a drop in gates and season ticket sales in the top flight of four per cent in each of the last two years.

Only promoted trio Albion – at just over 18,000 – Newcastle and Blackpool, plus Birmingham, Bolton, Fulham and huge spenders Manchester City have increased season ticket sales in the Premier League.

Villa with 23,500 are on a par with last year along with Blackburn, Sunderland and West Ham.

Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham join City and Blackpool as the only five Premier League clubs to sell out of season tickets.

Wolves are one of several clubs showing a slight fall with Stoke – at just under 21,000 – Manchester United, Liverpool, Everton and Wigan.

They admit the return is “disappointing” but remain appreciative of those who have renewed and understanding of those who have not.

Chief executive Jez Moxey said: “We have always prided ourselves on our number of season ticket holders.

“While it’s disappointing, we remain well aware of the difficult economic climate.

“There are still supporters who have told us they were unable to renew.”

Wolves’ most expensive season ticket – £630 – ranks 12th in the Premier League, but second most costliest in the Midlands behind Birmingham and 16th highest in the country.

But true comparisons are difficult with so many different deals.

Blackburn slashed cheapest season ticket prices to £10 per game last season, sparking sales of 19,500 before adding £1 per match for this term.

Wolves hope to swell numbers by relauching their half season ticket promotion again, which saw a rise from 19,975 to 20,409 last season.

Molineux’s capacity is set to fall to around 24,000 next season under the first phase of the proposed £40million stadium redevelopment.