Advocacy for Additional Tickets
In a spirited campaign, local MPs from Southend-on-Sea are advocating for increased ticket availability for the upcoming National League play-off final at Wembley Stadium. The current allocation has been augmented to 21,500 tickets each for Southend United and their rivals, Oldham Athletic, not including travel packages.
Local Leaders Unite
The push for more tickets has united local officials, including MPs Bayo Alaba and David Burton-Sampson, along with council leader Daniel Cowan. They are determined to communicate the importance of maximizing fan attendance at this significant match.
Safety Concerns and Transportation Challenges
Wembley Stadium has cited safety as a primary concern, particularly in light of ongoing engineering work that has temporarily halted London Underground services at Wembley Park station. In response, Transport for London has announced additional Bakerloo line trains to facilitate fan travel, while Chiltern Railways has committed to extra services for the event.
New Ticket Releases and Club Efforts
In a recent development, an extra 2,722 tickets were made available on Monday at noon. Following negotiations with the stadium, Southend United secured an additional 1,059 tickets, alongside 1,663 tickets bundled with coach travel. A club spokesperson reaffirmed their dedication to collaborating with all involved parties to explore innovative solutions for increasing capacity.
Community Support and Expectations
The local MPs have expressed their commitment to advocating for more tickets, emphasizing the need for a meaningful allocation that reflects the community’s enthusiasm for the match. They mentioned their efforts over the weekend to rally support for this cause, stating, ‘We will persist in our efforts to ensure that as many fans as possible can attend this pivotal game.’
Future Prospects and Fan Engagement
Former football star Stan Collymore has also weighed in on the matter, revealing discussions with the Mayor of London’s office regarding potential increases in fan capacity. The mayor’s office is optimistic that the next safety meeting will pave the way for accommodating at least 60,000 supporters. A spokesperson from Wembley reiterated that the safety and security of attendees is their utmost priority.
Looking Ahead
As the clock ticks down to the final match on Sunday at 15:00 BST, the community remains hopeful that concerted efforts will lead to a more significant turnout, reflecting the passion and dedication of the supporters. The anticipation continues to build as local leaders and fans alike await positive developments in ticket availability.