Fans queue up to get tickets for Cardiff City’s dream Wembley date

Mar 24 2008 icWales

CARDIFF CITY fans queued from midnight on Saturday to get their hands on tickets for the club’s historic FA Cup semi-final clash with Barnsley.

Thousands of season ticket holders braved the cold and rain to ensure they secured tickets for the April 6 match, the first time a Welsh side will play at the new Wembley.

Fans began to gather as early as midnight on Saturday and within four hours around 500 people were in the queue.

It was estimated that by 11am yesterday there were 6,000 fans waiting, with the line snaking down Sloper Road, through the barriers in the Grange End, up to the top and back of the Bob Bank and through to the ticket office.

The Bluebirds have been allocated 33,000 tickets for the semi-final and it was estimated around 18,000 had been sold by close of business yesterday on Sunday.

Ambassador fans, those who have bought their season tickets before a certain deadline, and normal season ticket holders have first option on picking up tickets for the game.

If all ambassador and season ticket holders take up their full quota of tickets this week, it will mean 27,000 of the full allocation will have been sold, leaving 6,000 remaining for non-season ticket holders.

Other fans will still not have the chance to buy any semi-final tickets until Sunday, March 30, and only then if they can produce a ticket stub from the Bluebirds’ home game against Hull City on March 12.

A club spokesman said 25 members of staff were dealing with ticket sales at Ninian Park in booths and over the phone. Supporters are able to purchase tickets online but buying them in person is recommended.

Tickets priced at £25, £35 and £45 will be available all week, and there are also a selection of higher- priced tickets available.

The spokesman urged ambassadors and normal season ticket holders to have their membership cards ready to show ticket sellers when purchasing their tickets.