Last chance for season tickets

Norwich City officials are bracing themselves for a potential stampede when the last remaining season tickets are released on general sale on Friday morning.

It is estimated that around 300 tickets will be up for grabs and City are hopeful they will reach in excess of the 20,000 mark for season ticket sales for the second successive year.

So far 19,500 fans have renewed their season tickets - a figure which includes 1600 from the waiting list - and there remains a further 300 fans, also on the waiting list, who have up until 8pm tomorrow to follow suit.

There are also another 165 fans, on a further waiting list, who are nailed on certainties to purchase their season tickets, which will determine the total number available for fans to buy at the end of the week.

“For us it would be a significant milestone if we were to reach the 20,000 mark for the second successive season after relegation,” said Andrew Cullen, City's director of sales and marketing.

“It says a lot about our supporters - especially when you compare the sales to those of other clubs.

“It means about 2,000 new people will be watching games at Carrow Road, which is not a bad thing as it's important to refresh the support.

“Even after a great season - such as promotion - the percentage of people not renewing is about 4 per cent, but this year it's about 10 per cent.

“It's good that new supporters are able to come to games regularly, and a lot of the new season-ticket holders are youngsters, which is important.

“From tomorrow there could around 300 tickets available to people who were not on the waiting list, or there could be fewer if those people on the list decide to sign up.

“Possibly some of the people who joined the waiting list signed up for Premiership football, and they will have the option of remaining on the list in the future.”

City's season ticket sales stand at a whopping 12,500 more than Southampton and 7,500 more than Crystal Palace, who were both relegated at the same time as City.

It is anticipated that the number of season tickets sold at Saints will go up, however, if and when chairman Rupert Lowe leaves his post as many fans on the south coast have boycotted buying their tickets in protest.

The exact figure of season ticket renewals at Ipswich is not known but club officials said last week that they were on target to reach their anticipated total of 16,000 although it is believed they still have some way to go.

People still on the Norwich City waiting list who do not wish to purchase their ticket will get their £50 deposits back if they have had a change of heart.

A further 3,500 fans have already signed up to the Hat-trick plan, which gives access to seven games during the season.

For more information, ring 0870 444 1902 or visit the Carrow Road ticket office from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 2pm on Saturday.