BRIGHTON and Hove Albion are expected to have more than 34,000 fans descending on Wembley tomorrow.
The Seagulls will be out in force to watch Chris Hughton’s side take on the Premier League powerhouse that is Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final.
The club announced that they sold out their initial allocation, of 33,466, with extra tickets being made available last week.
An additional 1,500 pitch side seats were allocated to Albion fans, meaning more than 34,000 Seagulls supporters will be making the trip to Wembley.
Speaking about the cup semi-final, Albion chief executive Paul Barber said: “We are delighted with such great support.
“We hope everyone has a wonderful day.”
>> Rare Brighton and Hove Albion 1983 FA Cup final photos uncovered
Albion manager Chris Hughton praised the fans and hopes the team will give them a day to remember.
He said: “The fans have been outstanding. They were outstanding at Chelsea.
“They appreciated what a difficult task it was and I think whatever the result is on Saturday they will be exactly the same.
“It’s an appreciation of a team and a group of players who have got to this stage.
“They understand how difficult the game will be and, of course, it’s something that doesn’t happen too often, particularly for a club like ourselves.
“I think they will make the most of it, irrespective of the result.”
Hughton’s side go into the game looking to cause a huge upset against Premier League table-toppers Manchester City.
14 places and 47 points separate Albion and their opponents in the league, with many favouring City to come out on top.
Since Albion’s promotion to the Premier League the sides have faced each other three times, with City coming out on top each time.
However, when it comes to domestic cup contests Albion go into the game having won their last two clashes against the blue side of Manchester.
The last came in 2008 when Albion, then managed by Micky Adams, beat City on penalties in the League Cup, having held them to a 2-2 draw following extra time.
The time before that was on Albion’s route to the 1983 FA Cup final.
The Seagulls thrashed City 4-0 at the Goldstone Ground in the fourth round.
They would go on to lose the final to Manchester United, having drawn 2-2 in the first game before losing the replay 4-0.
And regardless of scoreline it looks like there will be one way in which Albion beat City.
While Albion have sold more than 34,000 tickets, City have failed to sell out their allocation.
Reports suggest that Pep Guardiola’s side have only sold about 25,000 tickets for the match.
It has also been reported that the club have returned the extra 2,000 seats they were given.
However, Brighton and Hove Albion announced that no Manchester City tickets will be made available to Albion fans.
The match will be City’s fourth trip to Wembley this season.
They also face two more trips to London within the space of a week; facing Tottenham at the new White Hart Lane on Tuesday, before a trip to Selhurst Park to take on Crystal Palace next weekend.
City fans have argued that the 5.30pm kick off time for the semi-final has been a factor, as the last train north from London’s Euston Station is scheduled for 9.24pm.
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