Quakers' tickets mix-up after first-leg success

5:03am Monday 12th May 2008

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FOOTBALL supporters celebrating their club's success in the first leg of the promotion play-offs have had their plans for the second game thrown into confusion.

Darlington FC defeated Rochdale 2-1 in the League Two play-off semi-final first leg on Saturday, at the Arena.

But Rochdale officials failed to bring the second-leg tickets with them, frustrating Darlington's plans to put them on sale after the game.

Darlington had planned to make the tickets available to season ticket holders only until Wednesday, when any remaining seats would be put on general sale.

But the club had to make an announcement before the match to explain when they would be available.

They hope the tickets will arrive today and be available for sale later in the day.

A club spokesman said: "Darlington Football Club apologises for the fact that the tickets for next Saturday's second leg at Spotland were not on sale as advertised after the first leg. This was totally beyond the control of Darlington FC - the tickets not being delivered as promised by the host side.

"We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause."

Rochdale's Spotland ground has a capacity of 10,249.

Although it is unknown how many tickets Quakers will receive, it is expected that most Darlington season ticket holders will be able to buy a ticket once the final allocation is announced.

Spotland's away stand holds more than 3,500, but can be divided into two sections.

Andy Smith, from Darlington FC Supporters Club, did not expect the delay would create major problems.

He said: "I understand that tickets will be available at the start of the week. It is not ideal, but it is something people will be able to work around.

"I don't think anyone was annoyed. They were just a little concerned about what will happen. There is a lot of people who want to go to Rochdale for the second leg.

"I am sure the club will do as much as it can to ensure that fans who want to get tickets will have every opportunity to do so."

Some supporters posted comments on a Darlington supporters' website.

One supporter called comeondarlo, said: "I'll manage. There's always a way."

Another, posting under the username finch_were_rad, said: "I'm neither a ticket holder nor a Darlo resident. I was planning on buying it over the phone. What's the craic? This ticket stuff is a bit shambolic."

Another fan said he had paid £14 for a coach ticket to travel to Rochdale in the hope he could buy a match ticket.

Darlington's 2-1 victory in the first leg means they are on the way to being the first North-East club to play at Wembley since it reopened last year, following a £798m rebuild.

The winners of the tie will play either Stockport County or Wycombe Wanderers in the final for a place in League One on Monday, May 26.

No one was available for comment at Rochdale last night.

A policeman was injured in clashes with Manchester City fans following the team's 8-1 defeat by Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium yesterday.

The officer, from Cleveland Police and who is in his early 40s, had to have stitches for a wound caused when an away supporter threw a seat.

Violence erupted at the end of the match and seven Manchester fans were arrested.