Albion fans have reacted to news two of their club’s next three matches will be shown on pay-per-view TV.

And most appear to angry about it.

Fans will have the choice of paying £14.95 a time to watch matches at home to West Brom and away to Spurs in the space of a week.

That fee comes on top of subscriptions already paid to Sky Sports, who will be showing the games.

The PPV matches are optional and would not previously have been accessible, other than by illegal stream.

Until now, all matches during the lockout have been shown without additional charge.

That ends for now for Albion fans when they see their side at Crystal Palace live on Sky next Sunday - although future fixtures will no doubt be picked by Sky and BT Sport.

Clubs agreed to show all fixtures last season without extra charge but it cost them a rebate to broadcasters, a situation which was unsustainable in the longer term.

They had hoped fans would be starting to return to stadia this month - offering a much-needed cash boost - but that has been blocked by the government, despite indoor events getting the go-ahead.

The cost of PPV, as opposed to the concept, appeared to be what was angering many supporters as they took in the news.

Season-ticket holders have paid up front for matches this season but ultimately will not be charged for fixtures they cannot attend due to the Covid-enforced lockout.

That money will be held for future fixtures when the situation changes.

But that does not ease the cashflow situation for now.

Albion fan Matthew Light tweeted: “I pay just over £400 a month for my family’s season tickets. I subscribe to Sky, BT Sports and Amazon. Can you please explain why I should pay a further £15 to watch an Albion game?!! I am totally disgusted you voted for this. You should be ashamed. #bhafc”

Supporter Chantal Taylor added: “I already have a Sky Sports subscription, shouldn’t have to pay more. It’s disgraceful. Downright greedy.”

Albion fans will be among the worst hit as two of their three games covered by the PPV period had not been chosen for live broadcast.

West Brom have it even worse given all three of their fixtures in that time will be on PPV.

Others will not be affected at all as all three of their games had already been picked by the bradcasters.

Nick Simmonds, who calls himself “a long-suffering Seagulls fan” called for a boycott of PPV.

He wrote: “I don't have Sky or BT and won't be paying for #PPV either. My football buzz comes from seeing my team live with 30,000 like minded souls. Until such time as that starts to be possible again I'm out. #bhafc #Together #FansUnited #BoycottPPV.

Kevin Barry was among those who were more inclined to watch local football live than pay for extra Prem fixtures.

He wrote: “@OfficialBHAFC should now consider refunding the season ticket money. Seems little chance of getting back in anytime soon. Still won't be paying. Would rather stick with local football. Football have really mis-judged this one. It will encourage multiple household gathering.”

But Tony Wade pointed out season-ticket payments had been frozen and that PPV was an optional extra for TV viewers.

He said: “It doesn’t change anything, not for actual fans. This is just an additional option to watch a match that wasn’t there before. Don’t want to take the option up, then don’t.

"The club have stopped taking money and any credit will be applied to future games, or you have the option of a refund. Previously, if a game was not selected for TV, you couldn’t watch it (by legal means). Nothing has changed in that sense, other that you now have the PPV option.”

Those who commented on our website initially seemed to accept the news.

Albion In Staffs wrote: “I don't see the issue with the Covid pay per view service that others have. Basically, they're saying that if there's a game you might have attended, you can watch it for £14.95. That's considerably cheaper than the cost of a ticket, travel and all the sundries.

“Until now, watching all games has been a concession that's been suitable to the Covid situation. Now, it's time for the benevolence to end and justified commercialism to kick back in.

“Yes, we'll have to pay to watch the 'extra' games, but it's still a darned sight cheaper than actually going. So what's the problem?”

But others pointed out watching a game could not be compared to actually being there.

Jeff Lomer highlighted the raw deal Albion fans could face, commenting: “You can't have the big clubs, ie United, being on 25+ times and clubs like Brighton on only ten times. Share it out for all fans at every club.

“People say they won't pay it but they will, it's like booking boxing you don't want to pay it but you do in the end at the last minute.”

Reader Rob191246 pointed out a health risk, saying: “At £15 a throw during an economic crisis, people will gather in groups, often from different households, often in small rooms sitting next to each other opposite the TV, often shouting through their face masks!, perhaps in an atmosphere enhanced by alcohol and physical embracing as goals are scored.

“Of course they will all wash the toilet facilities after use and wash their hands a few times during the match.”