The BBC's Karl Newman: Children could get discounts in the future

In the survey of 2,000 fans, nearly two-thirds of those with young children said the cost of admission sometimes prevented them from taking their families to games.

The average cost of Premiership tickets for two adults and two children is £56. The cost at Chelsea is £88.

Alison Pilling of the Football Task Force, which ordered the survey, said: "This Boxing Day, there will be many families across the country who would like to be taking their children to the match but can no longer afford to do so.

"Our survey provides startling new evidence of the extent to which children are being shut out of our football grounds. The game must act now if it is to save the fans of the future."

Banks' investigation call

The Task Force's next commercial report will focus on the pricing of children's tickets. Recommendations could include Premiership clubs offering a fixed percentage of tickets to children at a standard discount.

In May Sports Minister Tony Banks urged the Football Task Force to investigate season ticket prices after 17 of the 20 Premiership clubs increased their cost by more than the 4% rate of inflation.

High wage demands

Aston Villa put up the price of its most expensive season ticket by 22%.

Derby County has frozen season ticket prices as an incentive to fans to buy them early, but Arsenal and Blackburn have matched Chelsea with a 15% rise.

Many fans say football is changing beyond recognition as high wage demands from players, large television fees and major merchandising deals make the game more money orientated.

Manchester United and Leeds United have been among the first to set up their own television channels to reap the potential rewards of pay-per-view.

Many clubs have also been criticised for the prices of replica team strips.

However, the 20 Premiership clubs made a combined pre-tax loss of £9.4m last year, despite increased turnover and sharing a £50m advance payment from satellite broadcaster BSkyB.