Players in the English Premiership enjoyed bumper 35 per cent increases in their pay packets in the 1996/97 season, and wages are expected to keep rising, according to a report released today. The report by accounting and consulting firm Deloitte & Touche also noted that clubs are still spending more and more money on transfers despite the Bosman ruling which ended fees for out-of-contract players within the European Union.

Income for last season's 20 premier league clubs rose by 32 per cent to £455 million sterling as television revenue more than doubled. Players continued to cash in on the game's growing riches.

The report said clubs' total wage bills rose by 31 per cent in the period, but estimated that players' wages would have grown by at least 35 per cent on average to total about £135 million.