SAINTS are set to be one of only two clubs in League One not to offer an installment plan on season tickets this year.

The controversial decision, announced by the club on Monday night, was met with anger by many fans.

No official explanation has been given, although some supporters have received emails reportedly from the ticket office saying “increased costs of administering such a scheme”

was the reason behind the move.

Newly-promoted Rochdale are the only other club in the division not offering supporters the chance to spread the cost.

Their ticket office said the reason was that, when they tried the scheme two years ago, only about three people took it up.

Hartlepool have still not announced details for the new campaign.

However, in their customer charter, the club states they are committed to offering an interest- free installment plan for season tickets.

League One new boys Dagenham & Redbridge are the only other side not to have announced details yet.

Last year, though, they allowed supporters to pay half up front and half at a later date.

While some clubs allow supporters to pay by standing order, most run their payment scheme through an external company and charge interest.

Zebra Finance is the largest provider of payment plans to football clubs in Britain, supplying the service for the likes of Manchester United and Spurs.

A spokesman said that, when a supporter applies to take up the installment plan, Zebra will pay the club the entire year’s money for that season ticket up front, assuming the fan’s application is accepted.

Zebra then make their profits off the monthly interest payments to them.

That means the club receives all the money from their season ticket sales up front, rather than being spread over the course of the year, even if they run an installment plan.

Most clubs have also offered supporters an early bird renewal scheme, offering discounts for buying as far back as March.

But the good news for Saints fans may actually be the price.

Although the club have increased the cost this season, they are not the most expensive in the division.

Given that Alan Pardew’s men will be red hot favourites to win the league, it would not be unreasonable to expect Saints to be at the top of the tree in terms of price.

But there are six other clubs which are charging more for a top-priced new adult season ticket, which costs £426 at Saints.

Bristol Rovers are the dearest, at £488, with Brighton & Hove Albion not far behind, on £484.

Sheffield Wednesday, relegated from the Championship, are charging a top-end price of £463.

While Saints may still consider themselves superior to the Cherries, their fellow south coast outfit have a price tag of £456 on their top adult season ticket.

Peterborough, at £450, and Brentford, £440, are the other two sides more expensive.

Most Expensive League One Season Tickets

Bristol Rovers . . . . . . . .£488
Brighton . . . . . . . . . . . .£484
Sheffield Wed . . . . . . . .£463
Bournemouth . . . . . . . .£456
Peterborough . . . . . . . .£450
Brentford . . . . . . . . . . . .£440
SAINTS * . . . . . . . . . . .£426
Charlton . . . . . . . . . . . .£425
Huddersfield . . . . . . . . . .£425
Exeter . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£420
Carlisle . . . . . . . . . . . . .£408
Notts County . . . . . . . . .£400
Plymouth . . . . . . . . . . .£399
Colchester . . . . . . . . . .£393
Tranmere . . . . . . . . . . .£380
Swindon . . . . . . . . . . . .£379
Walsall . . . . . . . . . . . . .£360
Rochdale * . . . . . . . . . .£360
MK Dons . . . . . . . . . . . .£336
L Orient . . . . . . . . . . . . .£325
Oldham . . . . . . . . . . . . .£308
Yeovil . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£289
Dag & Red . . . . . . . . . .(N/A)
Hartlepool . . . . . . . . . . .(N/A)
* Do not run payment installment plan
■ Stats compiled by Tom Oxtoby