Fans in a tickets frenzy as club fights for its life

Mar 12 2008 by Gareth Rogers, South Wales Echo

CARDIFF City fans snapped up season tickets as the club’s future was today being decided in one of Britain’s top courts.

The spotlight will today shift from the pitch to the courtroom as the club awaits a make-or-break ruling on its financial future.

Langston is suing Cardiff City over £24m in loan notes and the first hearing takes place today at the Royal Courts of Justice in London.

And today it emerged the club’s new stadium could face a £20m shortfall on funding if Langston wins today’s hearing.

Back in Cardiff there was a rush for season tickets and tickets for tonight’s match against Hull after the club said anyone who buys either will be guaranteed or at least have a strong chance of landing an FA Cup semi-final ticket.

A club spokesman said: “It has been very busy and people are keen to renew their season tickets and buy tickets for the Hull game.

“We are expecting a big crowd against Hull but only people who buy season tickets will be guaranteed a Wembley ticket.

“People with Hull ticket stubs will be entitled to one, subject to availability.”

Queues were 30-deep outside the stadium ticket office for large parts of yesterday and Steve Williams, from Rhiwbina, Cardiff, popped out in his lunch hour to get one.

“I am hoping that I will be able to get a ticket for Wembley now.

“It should be a great occasion. Fingers crossed,” he said.

City fan Paul Corkery, from Treharris, who renewed his season ticket, said: “I think the club’s ticket policy for this has been spot-on and it has given me the incentive to renew my season ticket.

“I would urge people to get themselves down to the Hull game tonight and fill the stadium.

“They will have a good chance of getting a ticket for Wembley.”

See tomorrow’s Echo for full coverage of Cardiff City’s court battle.

gareth.rogers@mediawales.co.uk