Sport: Mcinnes pleads with Aberdeen fans to back team at semi
● Boss Mcinnes in plea to Aberdeen fans
Derek Mcinnes is hoping for a late surge from Aberdeen fans for Betfred Cup semi-final tickets after the Dons had their allocation reduced due to poor sales.
The Pittodrie club were given 20,300 tickets by the Scottish Professional Football League for the last-four game against Rangers at Hampden Park on Sunday 28 October, which has a 4:30pm kick-off .
However, with supporters taking up just over 9,000 tickets so far – and fewer than 100 sold yesterday – their allocation has been cut to less than 15,000, with some fans who already have tickets having to be relocated within the stadium.
Speaking on REDTV ahead of tomorrow’s Ladbrokes Premiership clash with Hearts at Tynecastle, manager Mcinnes said: “All I’m hoping for is that we can sell as many as we can.
“There is still a long way to go. It is an Aberdeen holiday at the minute and supporters still have an opportunity to get their tickets and come along.
“Once the allocation was made then maybe people thought they had plenty of time to get them and we are hoping that is the case.
“I don’t get involved in what sections are being sold or whatever. I am just hoping there is a strong Aberdeen support there. From my point of view it can help the team. We want as many there getting behind the team as possible, but once the game comes round it is all about the game.
“There seems to be more talk about this game than any other game I can remember, about tickets, kick-off times and logistics.”
Aberdeen released a statement on their official website which read: “With just over a week to go until our Betfred Cup semi-final against Rangers at Hampden Park just over 9,000 tickets have been sold to the Red Army. Despite strong initial sales, particularly from our supporters’ clubs, overall ticket sales for the match have fallen short of the demand expected.
“Given current sales figures, with the SPFL recording less than 100 being sold by Aberdeen FC today, the SPFL have now taken back certain sections of the East Stand.
“In return, the SPFL will issue the club with an additional allocation of seats in the South Stand upper and lower tickets.
“This will necessitate the relocation of some supporters to alternative seats and the club will be in touch with any affected fans to finalise
“The SPFL have taken back sections of the East Stand which will necessitate relocation of some supporters”
arrangements. With 5,500 tickets still available, and access to a further allocation if we demonstrate additional demand in the next few days, the focus now quickly turns to building on the tickets that have been sold to fulfil the remainder of our allocation and ensure that the team walk out to a wall of noise from Dons supporters in attendance.”
Aberdeen had originally fought to receive an even split of tickets for the clash after the kick-off time was moved from 12noon.
This followed complaints from both Aberdeen and Hearts over the original plan to host both games at Hampden on the same day.
The SPFL were said to be angered by the manner in which Aberdeen sold the initial tickets, having been told to shift them on a block by block basis so any empty sections could be handed to Rangers to sell.
Rangers last night issued a short statement which read: “We have today been informed by the SPFL that we will receive a further allocation of tickets for the Betfred Cup semi-final against Aberdeen.
“Once the number is confirmed we will decide how to allocate these tickets with previously unsuccessful season ticket holders on the continuous credit card scheme receiving priority.”