SORT OUT THIS TICKET MESS

1 September 2005

The ticketing chaos at The New Stadium Swansea is a major problem that needs sorting urgently. We have a magnificent, £27 million facility. The Swans are riding high in League One and last Friday the Ospreys attracted a crowd of more than 18,400 at their first match in the ground.

But these achievements are being sullied by the stadium management company's inability to sort out ticket sale problems.

StadCo may dispute claims that 2,000 supporters were left queuing for the Barnsley game on Monday but whatever the figure it is clear many fans were dissatisfied with the ticket arrangements. These are people who might decide not to bother again.

There have been calls for turnstiles to be introduced at the stadium but this is not the way ahead for today's modern facilities.

Even so, it is not fair to expect supporters who might live some considerable distance away to buy their tickets in advance. Anyone should be able to arrive at the ground an hour before kick off and expect to get a ticket in time for the start of the match.

One of the season's biggest fixtures is with Bristol City on September 10. Stadco needs to have got the ticketing mess sorted by then.