as usual has led to a mad dash for tickets. As always when demand exceeds supply it is inevitable that many disappointed fans will question the allocation system.
A new angle to this old argument has been added with the introduction of coaches laid on by the Clubs official travel partner, Thomas Cook. It would appear they will run around 25 coaches from Celtic park to Manchester with passengers also guaranteed a match ticket for a total cost of £81. This may be a convenient though pricey option for some, what though of our fellow supporters from outside a 30-mile radius of Celtic Park?
This places Celtic In direct competition with the traditional Supporters Clubs who have been successfully running buses all across Europe for years. Many clubs will no doubt struggle to obtain enough tickets to justify running a coach but those, in and around Glasgow, who do are likely to charge around £15 or £20 per person to travel. The vast majority of Supporters buses are well run and self-policing, everybody on the bus usually knows everyone else and invariably look out for each other in the unlikely event of problems arising. Supporters clubs will no doubt opt for the same bus company they use on a Saturday.They will depart and return at a time of their own choosing, to their local area.
What options are open to those supporters out with the Glasgow area who on return to Celtic Park in the early hours of the morning find themselves stranded miles from home. Travelling with your local supporters club surely must be preferable if tickets were only available.From the reported allocation of 4000 we can assume that Thomas Cook have been given approximately 1250 (25 x 50seat coaches) with business class, investor members and other right to buy groups accounting for another 1200 tickets it leaves us with a balance of 1550 for distribution among all other independent travellers.
With over 50,000 season ticket holders it is an almost impossible task to satisfy demand at any time and we should have some sympathy for JPT and the ticket office staff. However the harsh reality is If I dont have a ticket then I aint happy.We are all no doubt a little selfish when it comes to ticket issues however when it is our own clubs and the guys we know and trust every week with our travel arrangements we feel more assured of the fairness involved. This is not to suggest any dodgy dealing from the new travel partner but they wont be running buses for the fun of it.If you are one of the lucky, pampered, privileged or down right crooked rascals who have MY ticket for Old Trafford, enjoy it, remember your fellow Celts at home, cheer a little louder, sing a little sweeter, enhance our proud reputation and remember next time IT MIGHT NOT BE YOU
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