Allardyce pleads with disgruntled fans
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sam Allardyce, the Bolton Wanderers manager, has pleaded with disgruntled supporters to call off tomorrow's planned demonstration over Carling Cup final tickets.
Thousands of season ticket holders face the prospect of missing out on their team's Millennium Stadium encounter with Middlesbrough in Cardiff on 29 February because the demand to attend the game has massively exceeded Bolton's expectations.
Having attracted only 13,000 to the first leg of the semi-final against Aston Villa, the Lancashire club felt they were on safe ground when they agreed to let fans purchase two seats with every season ticket.
Yet such was the response that all 30,000 available tickets were snapped up within eight hours and requests for extra room from the Football League have so far met with a negative response.
Local newspapers and radio stations have been flooded with complaints from angry supporters, who have vowed to air their frustrations ahead of tomorrow's local derby with Manchester City.
While Allardyce has said he understands the fans' concerns, he believes club officials have acted properly and said that any demonstration would have a negative impact on his team.
The manager said: "Some people have been very unfortunate. I am very sorry for them, but a demonstration won't magic up four or five thousand tickets. I wish it could. If there is going to be a demo I hope the fans' anger does not get to the players. That is my main concern. If it actually happened it could only be detrimental to the team."
Bolton sold two tickets to every season ticket holder who queued last weekend. The club chairman, Phil Gartside, was worried about being left with spare tickets from their allocation after a small home support showed up for the semi-final.
Allardyce said: "For some reason, this match has resulted in utter cup mania. We thought we were dealing with this in a right and fair manner but it has left a lot of people unhappy and disgruntled."
A revolt would take the edge off an afternoon where Allardyce's side will look to avenge one of their heaviest defeats of the season as well as extend to five matches their unbeaten run in the Premiership.
After dominating the first-half at Eastlands in October, Bolton crumbled and were eventually beaten 6-2, a victory which remains City's last on home soil in the league.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments