Albion are keeping a close eye on a controversial new ticket exchange scheme.

But Paul Barber says it is by no means the key reason behind recent no-shows at the Amex.

Many seats at a stadium hugely reliant on public transport were left vacant as the club were landed with an undesirable 8pm kick-off for the visit of Brentford on Boxing Day, which was shown live on Sky Sports.

Along with Covid worries, the lack of public trains and buses was a key reason for a low turnout although Albion worked hard to lay on a range of extra travel options – and footed the bill.

Albion declined a request for an actual attendance figure, as per club policy, and the number has now been officially recorded as 30,141, which represents tickets sold.

Those who were able to attend were praised by head coach Graham Potter for their backing of the team.

Writing in the match programme, deputy chairman and chief executive Barber accepted some kick-off times were a problem.

He added: “While ongoing Covid concerns have undoubtedly and understandably played a major part in the no-shows at the Amex this season, we also have to accept that a run of late kick-off times combined with live TV coverage, as well as parking and transport issues and, on occasions, inclement weather, have played their part too.”

Some fans are unhappy they have to pay a fee to pass on and receive tickets from friends who cannot attend.

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Barber wrote: “As with all new policies, we have spent the first half of the season looking at how the scheme has been working and if and how it could be improved for next season.”

He added the scheme was “a long way from being the main reason” for no-shows at the recent midweek game against Wolves.