Source: FOOTYMAD
U's fans in ticket frenzy
Oxford United supporters have stunned Wembley and ticket agency officials with the speed at which they have been snapping up tickets for the Blue Square Premier play-off final. More than 21,000 have been sold already – in just two days. But fans who are frustrated by glitches in having their tickets confirmed are urged to have patience. Some 16,000 were bought in just over 24 hours after tickets for the clash with York on Sunday, May 16 went on sale. Around 8,000 were sold to season-ticket holders and members on Wednesday, and amazingly, the same amount were snapped-up within the first hour of tickets being on general sale yesterday. Seetickets, the agency dealing with the sales, then caused panic among U’s fans when their website announced that all of Oxford’s areas had sold out. They later inserted a clarification that it was just the initial allocation which had been sold, and a further 18,000 went on open sale at 11.30am. Seetickets have a call centre staff of 200 dealing with this game with their online service and phone lines open 24/7. A statement was issued yesterday confirming that “Wembley Stadium, Seetickets and the Football Conference have been surprised and overwhelmed by the initial demand for tickets from Oxford United supporters”. United’s commercial manager, David Jackson, said: “It was always going to be difficult knowing how many we would sell. We asked for 35,000-ish as an initial allocation. “But I don’t think we would ever have envisaged 20,000 being sold in just two days. It’s amazing.” Jackson added that the decision to use an agency was made by the Football Conference, but it made sense. “Given the timescale involved, using an agency was the best option,” he said. “The Conference made that decision, but I have to say that online is working. Sometimes it says that tickets have sold out in areas, but people just need to be patient.” United’s ticket office is not selling tickets for the final, but their switchboard has still been jammed, often with fans frustrated at problems they have encountered when trying to buy tickets. One supporter, Michael Ball, from Abingdon, claims he could be more than £500 out of pocket after trying three times to order five adult and four junior tickets. “I was not sure my original order got through, so I checked with my bank, who said that no money had been taken out of my account. “So I repeated the order and the same thing happened. “When I tried for a third time, the confirmation came through almost immediately. “I then checked with my bank and found all three orders – nearly £800 – had been taken out of my account. “I’m fuming because I paid £522 for tickets I don't need.” Dave Gordon, from Headington, expressed his frustration after failing to get through on the phone. “I just hope that the loyal fans can get tickets,” he said. “It annoys me when we get these big games, all these people turn up to buy tickets, but when we come round to the start of next season they disappear.” Source: Oxford Mail Fancy a flutter with paddypower? Sign up now and get the best deals on United's trip to Wembley Follow the link direct to match odds
