Blues cash in on cup draw

8:25am Friday 29th December 2006

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WANDERERS have cashed in on a plum Carling Cup semi-final draw with Chelsea by hiking up ticket prices.

The increase has angered some fans, but the club have defended the decision and say the money and the TV cash will be reinvested in the team.

Chairman Ivor Beeks said: "We hope supporters will understand. All the money will go into strengthening the squad. It won't be spent anywhere else."

Managing director Steve Hayes said: "People may think we have put the prices up a lot but it is not to repay the debt, it is to strengthen the squad.

"Paul Lambert has said he wants to bring six players into the club and this will help him."

He said the price increases, which still have to be agreed with Chelsea, were agreed after discussion with the supporters trusts.

Beeks added: "We think the price increases have been fair. We reduced our prices for the Johnstone Paints Trophy and new worked with Charlton to keep the prices down for the quarter-final."

The gate receipts from both matches will be split equally between the clubs.

Wanderers are also set to bank a further £200,000 in television rights with both legs looking set to be screened live.

The Premiership Champions visit Adams Park on Wednesday, January 10 (KO 8pm) with the return leg at Stamford Bridge scheduled for Tuesday, January 23, when Blues fans could be allocated up to 6,000 tickets.