Boss humbled by fans’ devotion

Photo: Anthony Miller

CUP FEVER: fans formed a huge queue in the wind and rain to buy tickets for the Liverpool game.

ATHLETIC manager Paul Dickov has paid tribute to the fans who braved the elements to queue for FA Cup tickets.

"It is quite humbling really," said Dickov. "I got out of the car and it was cold and raining heavily and people had been standing there since 4am. It is a credit to the fans that they are willing to do that. What we desperately want to do is put in performances for them and to get those who are going to Liverpool back to Boundary Park."

Athletic quickly went through their allocation of tickets for the third-round tie at Anfield on Friday, January 6 (8pm kick-off).

The final ticket of the 6,136 was sold just before the office closed late yesterday afternoon. Some fans had queued from 4am in order to claim their seat — and one man even had to be treated for hypothermia from the cold and lashing rain.