PROMOTION to the Premiership is expected to net West Ham about £30million -- but it seems the fans will fund a large chunk of that bonus.

Although season ticket price rises were kept low, individual match tickets at Upton Park next season are set for a massive increase of up to 51 per cent.

Top-priced seats for category A games are set to soar to £53 - among the most expensive in the country - from £35 last time.

And the cheapest seats in the ground will cost £37 when the most attractive opponents come to town.

Even against such uninspiring foes as Blackburn or Middlesbrough top seats will cost £43, dropping to £30 for the cheapest areas.

By contrast Chelsea's most expensive seat is £48, and Manchester United's is £41.

The other newly promoted sides, Sunderland and Wigan, will charge a maximum of £30 and £25 respectively. In Sunderland's case that is an increase of just £7, compared with the Irons' £18 hike.

But the increased costs are not expected to hit crowds next season.

Steve Lewis, a Billericay-based fan, said: "It won't stop me going but I do think it's bad.

"A lot of West Ham's fans aren't the wealthiest of people, but there's so much excitement about being in the Premiership at the moment that the ground will be full."