THE drive to crack down on rip-off football shirt prices and the cost of supporting your favourite team is to be spearheaded from the North-East.

The Independent Football Commission (IFC), announced by former Culture Secretary Chris Smith in August 2000, is to be based at Middlesbrough.

The body, which has a remit to include reducing the price of season tickets and endless changes of strip, is likely to lease premises owned by the University of Teesside, overlooking Albert Park.

Staff are being appointed and the commission should be operational from the New Year, although an official launch will probably be held at the end of February or beginning of March.

The commission's chairman is Professor Derek Fraser, the university's vice-chancellor. He has chosen Labour MP Ann Taylor, whose family are Bolton Wanderers supporters, Conservative peer and former Home Office advisor Lord Taylor of Warwick, deputy parliamentary ombudsman, Alan Watson, Northern Foods executive member, lawyer and Hull City fan Julian Wild, and former Channel Four boss, John Willis, to sit on the panel.

Sports Minister Richard Caborn said: "This is a real opportunity for the sport - and I very much look forward to the beginning of the IFC's work in the New Year."