Ticket Sales Rocket as the Balloon Goes Up

Ticket sales for Wednesday’s game against Brighton continue apace with almost 5,000 tickets already sold. FC United volunteers have been working flat out taking phone orders and processing Internet sales. The high demand proved too much for our card machine as it went into meltdown on Friday morning and telephone sales had to cease.

Fortunately we have had the opportunity to sell tickets from the ticket office at Gigg Lane and we are grateful to Bury FC for all the assistance that they have given us in the run up to the game in providing ticket printing facilities and office accommodation.

With the weather forecast indicating a continuation of the arctic conditions FC United decided to put tickets on sale to ease congestion at the turnstiles on the night but as matchday draws closer interest in the game has rocketed.

Thanks to our intrepid reporter and tent aficionado Frank for the images

The Gigg Lane pitch before the heated covers arrive



Tickets for the Manchester Road End (West Stand) and the Main Stand have already sold out and with tickets in the Cemetery End selling fast a decision was taken on Thursday afternoon to begin sales in the South Stand. The FCUM Radio commentary team have been ousted from their usual spot and will now broadcast from the press box in the Main Stand.

THE MATCH IS NOT ALL TICKET and fans will be able to gain entry by payment at the turnstiles. However, fans have been keen to buy advanced tickets to ensure that they are not disappointed on the night. Attendance at the second round replay could well be bigger than FC’s record gate of 6,023 against Great Harwood in the club’s first season.

Bury ground staff have been working with specialist pitch protection company, Sports and Stadia Services, to get the pitch ready for the televised fixture.

A huge balloon is laid out on the Gigg Lane pitch on Friday afternoon




The cover is secured to the safety barriers



All joints are sealed before inflation



Final preparations are made



All systems in place



Shelter for the pitch



ESPN’s preparations for the match began last Tuesday, straight after their televised fixture at Droylsden. To ensure that the game is captured from every angle a plan was drawn up to decide on sites for the fifteen cameras that will be located around the Gigg Lane pitch. Two new gantries have been slung from the South Stand roof to view any controversial offside decisions and the cameras placed in the corner of the net should spot any balls that may ‘bounce’ out of the goalkeepers’ hands.

After much debate the pundits caravan is sited in the Cemetery End on its own purpose built stage.

Caravan Staging under construction




Margy gets the players pepped up

As preparations advance at Gigg Lane, Karl Marginson has been making sure that the players remain focused on the game itself with a training session at JJB at the weekend and a further session scheduled for this week. ‘The lads are all looking forward to it,’ said FC’s manager, ‘missing the Chasetown and Whitby games was a blow not least because Jerome (Wright) and Scott (McManus) will miss the Brighton match through suspensions. It is a squad game and I am comfortable that we have a talented group of players at the club. It is the job of me, Roy and Darren to get the players ready. I am expecting the atmosphere on the night will be a bit special with all four sides of the ground in use. They should be able to hear our fans back in Brighton!’