Long wait for Pompey fans ahead of FA Cup clash

Some fans stood in line for two-and-a-half hours before getting to the three sales windows, while others spent yesterday trying to buy tickets by phone.

Only season ticket holders, shareholders and people who had tickets from last Tuesday’s game against Ipswich Town could buy, with any unsold seats to go on general sale on Monday. Tickets were not sold online.

Roger Bateman, 76, from Portchester, said he gave up after standing in line for more than an hour.

He said season ticket holders should have been able to buy before anyone else.

Mr Bateman said: ‘This is a disgraceful way to treat their season ticket holders, for all the money they are getting off them.’

Lee Denford, 47, also from Portchester, said he queued for two-and-a-half hours and when he got home he discovered he had been given the wrong tickets.

He said: ‘They gave me tickets to the Leyton Orient game instead of Bournemouth.

‘I’m absolutely hopping mad. I think this must have happened to other people as well.’

Pompey spokesman Neil Weld said the mix-up would be sorted out.

But some fans were more positive about the wait.

Rob Cole, 50, from Southsea, said: ‘It’s not really very well organised, but it brings back memories of the glory days.’

Andy Ferguson, 56, from Cosham, said: ‘I can put up with the rain for a couple of hours.

‘You pay for watching the best football club in the world.’

Mr Weld said the club was doing its best to keep up with demand for tickets. He said: ‘The turnaround from the last game has been quite tight – we’ve only had since last Wednesday.’

Mr Weld said tickets would be on sale from 11am today from the ticket booths behind the Fratton End. He said 9,100 tickets were sold yesterday.

n Turn to pages 47-48 for more Pompey news