Reading Programme

Welcome back to The Vetch Field for yet another FA Cup replay. A particularly good performance at the Madejski Stadium 9 days ago made tonight all possible and if it weren’t for a goal two minutes from time then we wouldn’t need to be here. Still, we all know what happened last time someone equalised against us with two minutes to go in the FA Cup don’t we. Remember West Ham!

A win tonight will also see us with a home draw in the next round with the winners of tomorrow’s replay between Blackpool and Leicester awaiting us in Round 4. There could be more FA Cup days at the Vetch just yet!

Of course every cup run brings questions about ticket allocation and the like. But this year has been extra complicated by the fact that on Round 4 day we are due to play Chester at the Vetch. Not complicated in itself until you remember that Chester was one of the games that was part of the linked tickets that were sold to include the last game at the Vetch – against Shrewsbury.

This has thrown out some questions on the internet about what happens if we get through so I thought I would take the opportunity to clear matters up with the club as to where everyone stands not just for the Chester game but also the Shrewsbury game on April 30.

ChesterCity (Home)

If we get through tonight’s game then the Chester game will be rearranged for a suitable date for both clubs. The link tickets that have been purchased for the game will be valid for any rearranged date. I am also led to believe that the club have had a few phone calls enquiring about refunds if supporters cannot attend the rearranged date (if there needs to be one) The answer to this is simple, the ticket comes as part of a linked package and if you cannot attend the rearranged date then you can receive a refund but only on the full link package and will therefore be giving up your ticket for the Shrewsbury game as well. I’m sure no-one wants to do that.

ShrewsburyTown (Home)

This particular fixture has already been the subject of endless questions because of the significance of it being the last game at the Vetch. Are you guaranteed entry? Let me (try and!) explain: –

Full Season Ticket Holders – If you are a full season ticket holder then you are guaranteed entry on production of the voucher for Match 23 out of your season ticket book. Easy.

12 Match Season Ticket Holders – Holders of these types of season tickets are also guaranteed entry to the last three games at the Vetch. However, none of the 12 match vouchers are eligible for the game itself but a ticket has been reserved for each of these games at the club and they will make an announcement nearer the time on how you claim it. Please do not throw your 12 match season ticket away after you have used the 12 match vouchers – you will need this to claim your tickets which you will have to buy at normal match prices.

Non Season Ticket Holding Trust Members – The club have guaranteed these people tickets as well. They will go on sale at a later date announced by the club but the trust has provided the club with a list of people who are eligible under this category.

Link Ticket Holders – As you are aware, the club made some link tickets available. If you have one of these then you have guaranteed entry to the game. There are still some link tickets left for the West Terrace.

The people above are the only ones that have guaranteed entry to the Shrewsbury game. There will, I believe, be some tickets going on general sale nearer the time but have not got any numbers as to how many.

I hope that this clears some of the questions that have been asked up and I have explained in my own words how it is working.

Anyway, that is enough of that for me and back to tonight’s game – let’s hope for plenty of noise to keep the Sky millions watching amused at what we can produce and here’s to a famous Swans victory? Let’s hope so anyway.

Phil Sumbler

You can keep updated on the views of the fans by visiting www.jackarmy.net – Supporting the Swans, All Day, Every Day.

You can catch previous programme articles at this link