NEWPORT CLOSE TICKET OFFICE OVER STAFF ABUSE

NEWPORT COUNTY have closed their ticket office ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup fourth round tie against Manchester United due to the ‘appalling abuse and threatening behaviour’ towards staff. Tickets for the biggest game in the Welsh club’s history are in huge demand after Newport installed temporary seating at Rodney Parade to increase the capacity to 9,000. But the League Two outfit closed their ticket office yesterday and announced that any remaining sales would be online because of the behaviour of fans towards members of staff. A club statement read: ‘Newport County would like to confirm that the ticket office will be CLOSED on Monday for general sale tickets for next Sunday’s FA Cup tie against Manchester United. ‘All remaining tickets will be available to purchase ONLINE ONLY from 10am. ‘Unfortunately, this decision has been made after the appalling abuse and threatening behaviour the ticket office and support staff received during the priority purchase period on Thursday. ‘The club will not condone this behaviour towards any member of its staff and will employ a zero-tolerance policy going forward which may result in stadium bans or legal action. ‘The club’s small pool of staff has worked extremely hard across long hours in recent weeks to organise the two sell-out games against Wrexham and Manchester United. ‘The club would like to thank them for their dedication and commitment.’ Newport expect to bank around £400,000 from the glamour tie after beating non-league Eastleigh in a third-round replay.