West Brom have already sold over 17,000 season tickets for their Premiership return.

Despite the fixtures not being out until next Thursday the club have been gripped by a feverish demand for seats.

New applicants began queuing on Monday from 2am - seven hours before tickets went on sale for the first time to non-season ticket holders.

The club only began selling season tickets six weeks ago and the current sales figure is a 1,200 increase on the same time last year as fans guarantee their seat for the club's eagerly-awaited Barclays Premier League return.

Chief executive Mark Jenkins told the Birmingham Mail: "We started selling season tickets a little later this year so it is really encouraging to see that so many supporters have already bought seats.

"The season does not get under way for another two months and when you take into account the tough economic climate, we're really pleased with the way sales are going and how our fans have responded to the team's promotion."