The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Fans snap up cup final briefs
HUNDREDS OF Tayside football fans queued for hours yesterday morning to secure tickets to next month’s historic Scottish Cup final.
Dundee United will face St Johnstone in what promises to be a thrilling match at Celtic Park on May 17.
It is the first time in their 130-year history that the Saints have made a Scottish Cup final and the first time two Tayside teams have contested the end-ofseason showcase.
Excited fans began queuing as early as 6am, and by 9am hundreds were lined up at both Tannadice and McDiarmid Park to book their place in Glasgow.
Dundee United fans are understood to have snapped up around 16,000 tickets on the first day of their sales yesterday, bringing the overall number of tickets sold across both teams so far to at least 26,000.
Fran Ritchie, the Dundee United ticket office manager, said: “It has been going really swimmingly — the response has been fantastic.
“We had people queuing outside from six this morning.
“I haven’t even had time to count how many we have sold. “It has been manic.” Many Arabs waited for more than an hour to get their hands on the briefs.
Derek Walker, 56, said: “I’m really excited for the match.
“I have been to every United cup final and it is always worth it.
“I think it will be a hard game, but we (Dundee United) should win by a goal I would think.”
Jim Patterson, 66, added: “The game could be difficult though.
“The standard of refereeing this season has been awful and that could really play a part in the final.
“We have got concessions, so I’m not too bothered about the prices. It is a cup final after all.”
Bev Little, 51, called for more cut-price tickets to be available.
She said: “I think there should definitely be more concession tickets.
“With all the travel trouble and the fact that everyone wants to go and bring their families, it is going to cost folk a fortune.”
St Johnstone have so far sold more than 10,500 tickets for the match, with 3,000 of those being snapped up on the first day of general sale.
Saints fans were enthusiastic about the upcoming fixture.
Claire Kenny queued to buy tickets for her parents and young son.
She said: “It’s the first time my son has been to a football match and my dad wanted it to be a good one for him.”
One of the youngest fans waiting in line was Tulloch Primary pupil Cadyn Pettie.
The 10-year-old had taken time off school for a hospital appointment and made a detour via McDiarmid Park.
He said: I’m really excited about going to the match — I’m going with my mum and dad.
“I’ve waited all the time I’ve been alive to go to a cup final.
“My favourite player isAlan Mannus, the goalkeeper.
“He won’t need to save any Dundee United goals because they won’t even get a shot in.”