Rush predicted for Spartans’ last 100 tickets

Jan 3 2009 by Dave Black, The Journal

THE FA Cup fever gripping Blyth will intensify this morning when the final 100 tickets go on open sale for Monday’s mouth-watering clash between the Spartans and Blackburn Rovers.

Spartans officials expected a queue to begin forming outside Croft Park from about 5am today as fans scramble to get their hands on the last tickets for the third-round tie between the famed cup giant killers and their Premier League rivals.

The 100 tickets go on sale from 10am at the Spartans’ social club – and officials admit that many who turn up today will go away disappointed.

The club is confident it has managed to provide tickets for all of its regular, hardcore supporters for the biggest game in its 100-year history.

That has been achieved through a voucher scheme and by asking fans to keep their ticket stubs from the last round FA Cup victory over Bournemouth.

About 14 of the club’s allocation of 3,000 tickets have gone to loyal branches of supporters based in Coventry and Cannock, who regularly attend both home and away games.

The crowd will also include fans who have travelled from Belfast and Dublin for the game, which is being shown live on TV by Setanta.

Today’s general sale of tickets was boosted by an additional 70 following ground rearrangements made after discussions with Setanta and the police. If Blackburn Rovers sell their full allocation of 1,000 tickets, 4,200 people will be crammed inside Croft Park on Monday night.

Spartans general manager Ian Evans said: “I am convinced we will have people camping out from about 5am when the last 100 tickets go on open sale. I will be the person who has to go out and say sorry to those who will miss out.

“We have serviced all of our regular supporters and season ticket holders, and have been praised for the way we have handled things on the club forum.

“We have brought in pitch covers to protect against any threat of frost and it is all systems go for Monday night.”

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Page 2: Full day at work, then team turns out for match