In the line of duty!
Reporter: KEITH McHUGH
Date published: 15 January 2013
HARDY football fans braved freezing temperatures to queue for big-match tickets at Boundary Park this morning.
One turned up as early as 4am, others soon after. By 7.15am, with a sharp frost and ice making standing outside the ticket office in Sheepfoot Lane a dangerous business, about 50 Athletic and Liverpool fans were waiting to buy passes for the FA Cup fourth-round tie on January 27.
At the front of the queue was Oldham-based Liverpool fan Kieran Foster (28).
“I’ve been a Liverpool fan all my life and wasn’t going to miss this game,” said Kieran, who also attended last year’s cup-tie at Anfield.
He arrived at 4am and, realising he was alone, decided to go to nearby McDonald’s for breakfast!
Two others at the head of the queue were brothers-in-law Steven Williams (23) and Luke Haslam (24).
They arrived at 4.45am – then walked to the Royal Oldham Hospital for a cup of coffee.
Despite their side-trip they stayed in pole position for the first of the tickets — more than 3,000 were available — to go on sale at 9am.
The tie has divided the family: Steven is an Athletic fan and Luke supports Liverpool!
If tickets remain at the end of business today, they will remain on sale from 9am tomorrow.
