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'No rush' for City FA Cup tickets Thousands queue for cup tickets
(about 3 hours later)
Cardiff City fans who are season ticket holders have been urged not to panic over FA Cup semi-final tickets which went on sale to them only on Sunday. Thousands of Cardiff City season ticket holders have queued to buy tickets to the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on the first day they have gone on sale.
Fans began queuing at midnight on Sunday and by 0500 GMT, around 400 people had joined in. Up to 6,000 supporters were queuing by 1100 GMT.
In all, the club has been allocated 33,000 tickets for their game against Barnsley at Wembley Stadium on 6 April.In all, the club has been allocated 33,000 tickets for their game against Barnsley at Wembley Stadium on 6 April.
The club said even if season ticket holders took their full allocations they would still not sell out before the tickets went on general sale. Season ticket holders are guaranteed to get their full allocation, said City.
The sale window for season ticket holders lasts until Thursday. The club had urged fans who are Ambassadors - fans who bought their season tickets before a certain deadline - and normal season ticket holders there was "no rush" for the tickets.
Other fans will not have the chance to buy any semi-final tickets until Sunday 30 March, and only then if they can produce a ticket stub from the Bluebirds' home game against Hull City on 12 March. A club spokesman said that even if they had all bought their full ticket entitlements by the end of business on Thursday, after which the tickets go on more general sale, the club would still sell only 27,000 tickets meaning a further 6,000 would still be available.
The club's Ambassadors, who are fans who bought their season tickets before a certain deadline, have been allocated two FA Cup semi-final tickets each. It was definitely worth it, it's a one off opportunity Paul Fletcher
Those Ambassadors who renewed their season tickets by 21 March will also be allocated one additional ticket.
There is no rush and all Ambassadors will be guaranteed their tickets for Wembley Cardiff City spokesman
Normal season ticket holders have been allocated one ticket each, but those who renewed their season tickets by 21 March will be entitled to one additional ticket.
Cardiff City had around 8,000 Ambassador season ticket holders for this season and half of them have already renewed.
A club spokesman said there would be 23 members of staff dealing with ticket sales at Ninian Park on Sunday. Some would manning the booths and some the phones. Both will be open for business from 0900 to 1700 GMT.
The spokesman said that even if all the Ambassadors and season ticket holders bought their full ticket entitlements by the end of business on Thursday, the club would still sell only 27,000 tickets meaning a further 6,000 would still be available.
"There is no rush and all Ambassadors will be guaranteed their tickets for Wembley," said the spokesman.
Membership cards
"They have five days to buy and it would help a great deal if fans were able to come down on Tuesday or Wednesday instead of a big rush on Sunday or Bank Holiday Monday."
Tickets priced at £25, £35 and £45 will be available all week, and there are also higher-priced tickets.
From Friday, 28 March, away travel members at the club will be able to buy their one allocated ticket.From Friday, 28 March, away travel members at the club will be able to buy their one allocated ticket.
Other fans will still not have the chance to buy any semi-final tickets until Sunday 30 March, and only then if they can produce a ticket stub from the Bluebirds' home game against Hull City on 12 March.
According to a spokesman for the club, around 5-6,000 people were in the queue for tickets at Ninian Park at around 1100 GMT on Sunday.
The queue snaked down Sloper Road, through the barriers in the Grange End, up to the top and back of the Bob Bank through to the ticket office.
He estimated that 15-18,000 tickets would be sold on Sunday.
Among the first few hundred to get tickets were Paul and Michael Fletcher, who had queued in cold and wet conditions from 0515 GMT in order to get the seats they wanted.
"It was definitely worth it," said Paul Fletcher, who has been a City fan for more than 30 years.
The Whootleys and Mcleans are buying 17 tickets for their families
"It's a one off opportunity and at least the time went quickly."
The Whootley and Mclean families were among those taking full advantage of their season ticket allocations and were buying 17 tickets for their family.
"We all want to sit together on such a special day," said Jan Whootley.
Philip Horwood, who arrived mid morning with his sons James and Jack and friends Stephen Nash, Colin and Mark Evans, said he thought City would go on to win the cup.
"This is the year for Wales. We've already experienced sporting success with Joe Calzaghe and in the Grand Slam, now it's our turn," he said.
Steward Della James said early arrivers had sung to keep their spirits up in the queue and that the FA Cup success had given the club a huge boost.
"We have waited so long for this," she said. "A lot of people put Cardiff City down but I think Dave Jones, Peter Ridsdale, the teams and the fans deserve a lot more credit."
The ticket that every Cardiff City fan wants
The club spokesman said 25 members of staff were dealing with ticket sales at Ninian Park on Sunday. Some manned the booths and some the phones. Both were open for business until 1700 GMT.
Tickets priced at £25, £35 and £45 will be available all week, and there are also higher-priced tickets.
The spokesman urged Ambassadors and normal season ticket holders to have their membership cards with them when purchasing their tickets.The spokesman urged Ambassadors and normal season ticket holders to have their membership cards with them when purchasing their tickets.
Tickets will also be available online although the club say it prefers buyers to purchase their ticket in person.Tickets will also be available online although the club say it prefers buyers to purchase their ticket in person.
The club added that its distribution policy was put forward after consultation with a broad section of fans.The club added that its distribution policy was put forward after consultation with a broad section of fans.