Fans queue for playoff tickets

lil eva · Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 9:04 pm Post subject: Fans queue for playoff tickets

Leeds United fans staged their very own early kick off today - to be sure of the hottest tickets in town.

By 9am, more than 1,000 supporters were already queuing at Elland Road to snap up tickets for Leeds's vital play-off semi-final home leg against Carlisle United.

First in the queue was Jason Powell who set up camp at 10.30pm yesterday - more than TEN HOURS before tickets the tickets went on general sale.

The 26-year-old self-employed builder, who comes from Kettlethorpe, Wakefield, told the Yorkshire Evening Post: "There was no way I was going to miss this match.

"It's not been too bad overnight - we've had some pizzas, there's been a couple of deckchairs to sit back and relax in - and, best of all, the weather's been good to us!"

Friends Gavin Copley, 27, and Chris Colley, 26, were among those who walked away with some of the first tickets.

The pals, both from Wakefield, began queuing at 5.30am but came armed with flasks of coffee.

Butcher Gavin said: "We were supposed to be here at 3am but we slept in! We came down as early as we could because we knew the tickets were going to be really popular, we needed to make sure we got ours."

Chris, a retail manager added: ""I'm really excited about the game, can't wait."

Mary Hathaway, 82, who has 30 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren, queued with one of her grandsons, Lee, 17.

Mary has been following Leeds since 1947 and has watched the Whites at Wembley before.

She said: "It would be brilliant to go again. I've seen some things at this club. I just hope they can do it on Monday - 4-0 would do me!"

Electrical labourers Chris Flesher, 42, from Birstall, and Tom Gomersall, 20, from Wakefield, arrived at Elland Road at around 4.30am - having come straight from work complete with chairs!

Chris, from Birstall, said: "We borrowed a couple of chairs - we knew we were in a long wait! We're really pleased to have been near the front of the queue. Can't wait for the game, now."

Linda Kitchen, 56, from Harehills, Leeds, was the first woman to walk away with tickets.

She plans to take partner Judy Hogg to the big game on Monday and is predicting a comfortable 3-0 victory for Leeds.

The retired nurse added: "To be honest, I'd be happy with 1-0 as long as we win. It's brilliant to see them in the play-offs."

Father and son Ian and Simon Cliff arrived at around 5am and said they had a "good laugh" in the queue.

Leeds City Council employee Ian, 46, from Pudsey, said: "We've made some new friends. Everyone's in good spirits, it's been good fun."

Morrisons manager Simon, 25, from Horsforth, said: "It's bad karma to predict a score, but I'm keeping everything crossed for a win."

Postman Kevin Murfin, 49, set off from his home town of Mansfield as soon as he finished work at 6am. He bought four tickets so he could also take his two sons and a nephew.

He said: "I'll be Mr Popular now, you can guarantee it. I've been supporting Leeds since my dad brought me as a kid. It'll be a great game."

Grimsby Whites members Dave Mitchell and Scott Wing were working at Sainsburys until 3am but set straight off for Leeds. Scott, 20, had to return after he had his ticket in hand.

He said: "It's going to be a long day but it's worth it."

Dave predicted a 2-0 win for the Whites.

With tickets also being sold on the internet and telephone, staff at Elland Road said they could sell out by the end of the day.

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