Phil SumblerYesterday’s announcement that the Liberty Stadium will potentially have a 3,000 crowd for the play-off semi final against Barnsley sparked much debate as to how the club would allocate tickets – or more to the point which names would be in the draw for such a restricted number.
The good news of course is that the game has been designated as a game that will test the return of crowds to sporting venues in Wales and it will give at least some Swans fans the chance to return to the ground for the first time since March 7th last year when the Swans drew 0-0 with West Brom.
The club are yet to confirm how the arrangements will work despite the BBC initially reporting yesterday that the club will be offering the tickets free of charge to those successful in the ballot – a report that was hastily changed to remove that particular piece of detail.
However, what does seem certain, is that the names in the ballot will be those of season ticket holders who decided to forego a refund for the current season and instead opted for the streaming package that was available as an alternative.
When the club made the communications back in August (see here) they also stated that those that did not request the refund would take priority when the crowds were allowed back in.
The statement at the time read “Season ticket holders who accept the streaming option and leave their money in the club will receive priority access back to the Liberty Stadium when crowds are able to return. This is not a guarantee of access as numbers may be restricted by Welsh Government. ”
So with a limited number heading back to the Liberty on 22 May it looks like it will be from that particular group of season ticket holders that the name will be drawn which will generate some further debate but with no ideal solution the club can surely only honour the statement initially made that this will be the case?
Yesterday’s club statement following the announcement simply said “We would like to thank supporters for their patience and will communicate any relevant arrangements in due course once they have been confirmed.”
Connor Roberts meanwhile told Elis Hames’s feast of football podcast “It’s been a long time coming.
“It will be nice for all my mates and the fans that support me and the team.
“It’s a little bit more normalisation. It’s obviously not going to be exactly the same as it was.
“But it should be good and hopefully we can make them smile and they can go away happy and obviously that would mean a positive outcome over the two legs.”
Mwanwhile Barnsley have made their announcement for their fans for their home leg stating that their ballot will be open for 24 hours, closing today at 12 noon.
The C.K.Beckett South Stand, Investment Room East Stand and the North Stand will be in operation. It will not be possible to guarantee a specific seat and you may be allocated seating that is not in your regular stand.
Tickets are priced at £25 (Adult), £15 (Senior/Young Adult), £10 (Under 19) and £5 (Under 12)
Iv been folling the swans since 1954 I start g selling programs then started watching them loyal jack come o the swans keep the faith