They came, they queued, they tapped away at their computer, tablet or mobile phone and in just a little over two hours all remaining tickets for Norwich City's first trip to Wembley in 30 years were gone.
On a day of drama at Carrow Road more than 200 Canaries fans flocked to the ticket office at the stadium – some of them since the early hours of the morning – while others persisted with their computers, mobile phones or other internet devices in a desperate bid to get their hands on tickets for the bank holiday play-off final against Middlesbrough.
And with no tickets for general sale for the must-see game it meant a yellow and green army of season ticket holders, away season ticket holders, priority club members and shareholder members had an anxious few hours yesterday before what remained of the 39,000 seats allocated for City fans went on sale last night.
And just before 8pm last night – a little over two hours after they went on sale – the club confirmed all remaining tickets for the Wembley play-off final had now 'sold out'.
However, those fans who have not yet physically got their hands on some of the golden tickets were thrown a lifeline after the club revealed it had secured a few hundred extra seats.
The club's original allocation was around 38,900 tickets, but was increased to 39,500 tickets, after chief executive David McNally said earlier this week he would push to get more tickets for Norwich fans.
Any additional tickets will be available via www.canaries.co.uk from 9am tomorrow.
The Canaries' opponents Middlesbrough also secured some extra tickets for their fans for Monday's multi-million-pound game.
It was at about 5.45pm – after a wait of several hours for many who were brought hot drinks throughout the day by members of Delia's Canary Catering team – the doors of the ticket office finally swung open.
First to get his ticket was 16-year-old Sam Harris, who had been in the queue since 3am.
The College of West Anglia pupil, who lives in King's Lynn, although the family are originally from Fakenham, said: 'It's amazing.
'It's huge – it doesn't get any bigger. I'm looking forward to it – I've been looking forward to it all week, but now I've got a ticket I'm even more excited.'
The teenager, who had been queuing with his father Harry, said it had been a memorable day.
He said: 'It's unreal – 16 hours' queuing and now I've got the ticket in my hand.'
Gary Webster, 34, a ground worker from Thorpe St Andrew, was thrilled to have got tickets for him and his nine-year-old son Harry.
Mr Webster, who joined the queue at 6pm, said: 'I'm chuffed to bits. It's the first time my son's ever been to Wembley and I promised him.'
David Stansbury, 49, from Taverham, had already got tickets but joined the queue at 5.30pm to get tickets for his nephew and niece.
He said, 'It will make the little boy's day. He's only nine, so it will be a treat for him.'
Sharon Mitchell, 44, a housemum from Coltishall, and her friend Helen Kozakiewicz, 35, a housewife from Coltishall, were also successful in getting tickets.
Miss Mitchell said: 'I haven't slept for three nights, I've got to say I've been worrying about not getting these tickets so I'm very pleased.'
Mrs Kozakiewicz said: 'I'm really excited and happy.'
Any additional tickets will go on sale to season ticket holders,
priority members, away season ticket holders and shareholder members at 9am tomorrow via www.canaries.co.uk.
A maximum of two tickets per customer number will still apply.
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