There has been a 21% increase in the cost of being a football fan over the past three months, claims research by Virgin. Virgin Money's Football Fans' Inflation Index, which tracks the costs for supporters, shows that the cost of a match day for a supporter is now £106.21 - breaking the £100 barrier for the first time.

Virgin Money's, Scott Mowbray, said: "The question is, with rising costs, rising ticket prices, programme costs, food expenses, merchandising and now increased fuel bills, how much more can the average punter take? This could be the season when many fans stop following their teams away from home".

The index estimates that fans will travel on average 2,031 miles to follow their teams this season.