City fans queue for a taste of FA Cup glory

Mar 24 2008 Lisa Jones, Western Mail

THOUSANDS of Cardiff City football fans set their alarm clocks early to be at the front of the queue for FA Cup semi-final tickets.

Yesterday was the first day that Ambassadors and season ticket holders were able to buy tickets for the clash against Barnsley at Wembley Stadium on April 6.

Fans started their ticket vigil outside Ninian Park from around midnight on Sunday and by 5am there were as many as 400 people queuing for tickets, said City stewards.

In the biting cold and rain, the numbers continued to rise, with up to 6,000 supporters by 11am yesterday.

Fans in the queue were funnelled by stewards along Sloper Road and into the football ground through the Grange End, through a series of holding areas before being sent up the back of the Bob Bank through to the ticket office.

The ticket frenzy caused chaos along Sloper Road and adjoining side roads as fans parked their cars before joining the queues.

Martyn Jones, 44, a Royal Mint worker from Ton Pentre, Rhondda, was one lucky punter. He came away with a clutch of 14 tickets. He had been at the ground since 5.30am and left four hours later.

“There were about 100 people there before me,” he said. “I wanted to make sure I had the best chance of the best seat.

“It’s going to be a big day out and City are going to beat Barnsley 3-1.”

Simon Stevens, 37, a railway worker, from Llwynypia, Rhondda, was with son, Kian, eight.

He said: “This might be the only chance we ever get of seeing City play at Wembley. I’ve followed them through the FA Cup campaign and it’s been magical.”

Glen Jones, 46, a milkman of Fairwater, Cardiff, has been a fan for 39 years and was there with friends Mark Miller, 46, a store manager from Grangetown, and Gerard Bateman, 43, a vehicle assessor from Whitchurch. Mr Jones said: “My passion for the club has kept me coming back here, through good times and bad. Look where we are now, on the brink of winning the FA Cup.”

Mr Miller added: “Our commitment to the club has finally paid off.”

Mark Goody, 44, a car sprayer from Llandough, said: “I want to be part of it all. It’s my local club and I’m so proud we’ve made it this far.”

Gareth Bennett, 39, a writer, from Canton, Cardiff, a fan since 1988, said: “My friend and I went to Middlesbrough because we had the feeling we had a chance of getting through. It’s almost as though we expected it. Maybe it’s destiny.”

Paul Leades, 39, a credit controller from Radyr, said: “City getting through to the FA Cup final seems like the best way for Wembley to thank Wales for looking after the FA Cup tournament, when we held the finals in the Millennium Stadium over the past few years. Maybe it will be our year to go back there.”

Ambassadors and season ticket holders have until the end of business on Thursday to get their match tickets, before they are released to away travel members. Other fans will have to wait until March 30 before they get a chance.

lisa.jones@mediawales.co.uk