BOOMING crowds at Warrington Wolves have led to plans being drawn up to extend the capacity of the ground.

A capacity crowd of 13,024 watched Andrew Johns' home debut on Saturday - and the gate took this year's average home turnout to 11,003.

This is the highest average gate since the 1955/56 season.

Now, Wolves chief executive Andy Gatcliffe says drawings have been commissioned to look at providing more executive seats above the South Stand while increases in other parts of The Halliwell Jones Stadium are also being considered.

He said: "More development is in the pipeline.

"We always said we would look at the capacity after five years but we are now looking at what we can do in the South Stand.

"It was packed with 4,000 fans on Saturday and what a spectacle. But we have had drawings for executive seating above the standing area with a function room.

"Now we have to look at the costings."

The crowd increase is a rise of 11 per cent on last year's figures, which follows a 38.2 per cent increase for the first year at the new ground after the departure from Wilderspool Stadium.

And this growing trend of Wolves fever is happening without the club having won silverware since their Regal Trophy success of 1991.

Mr Gatcliffe said that the stadium was also now enjoying nationwide recognition following the bumper gates and success of the summer's women's European football championships.

He added: "The Halliwell Jones Stadium is like no other ground in the country. As well as the rugby and football, there are more than 20 health services and an educational foundation too.

"What is so remarkable about the attendances is that this is an increase on last year's increase."

l See our sports pages for details of play-off ticket sales.