FANS ASSURED NEW STADIUM TICKETS 'ARE IN THE POST'

21 July 2005

Swans bosses have promised ticketless fans they are pulling out the stops to ensure they get to see the first match at Morfa's new stadium on Saturday. The newly-promoted League One side take on Premiership team Fulham on the weekend in a showcase game to herald the opening of the £27 million ground.

But following yesterday's report that some supporters have been frustrated at problems with the system of ticket allocation, the Evening Post has been inundated with calls from fans who are demanding to know what is going on.

Many of the complaints have centred around the ticket hotline, with fans complaining that they have been unable to get through or are confronted with a repeated recorded message.

But others who have already paid money for the Fulham game say they are growing increasingly anxious because they are yet to receive their promised tickets.

Stadco, the company which has assumed responsibility for ticket allocation, has blamed some of the problems on the unprecedented demand for tickets.According to a spokesman, the ticket office has been selling more than 400 tickets an hour for the Fulham game.

"The unprecedented demand has obviously caused some technical difficulties but these have now been solved and every telephone- ordered ticket for Saturday's match was posted out yesterday at the latest," he said.

"As tickets are nearly sold out, the remaining tickets will only be available to fans who purchase them in person from the ticket office at the stadium."

Meanwhile, fans who have tickets for the match but are still awaiting the arrival of their season ticket can bring the receipt for their season ticket along with their match ticket and entry will be allowed as normal."

The new ground has a capacity of 20,000, but it is reduced to just 12,400 for the first match due to safety regulations.

That has contributed to the huge demand for tickets, with thousands of supporters wanting to be present to witness the beginning of a new era in the club's history.

Swansea City FC director David Morgan wants supporters to help create a perfect atmosphere for the inaugural game, and has promised that the club is doing everything it can to assist fans.

He added today: "We have been assured by Stadco that every single ticket for the match on Saturday was posted out first class by yesterday."