Sunday’s women’s international clash between England and Spain is all but sold out – the first time the full house signs have gone up at Shrewsbury Town’s new stadium.
The European Championship qualifier which kicks off at 6pm is heading for a crowd of over 9,500 after all the tickets available from the Oteley Road box office were eagerly snapped up.
Judy Davies, Town’s ticket office manager, said it had been a busy few weeks coping with demand and the club have now set up a waiting list for fans desperate to see this weekend’s match in case of any late returns.
She urged supporters or groups in possession of tickets they are unlikely to use to hand them back to the club for re-sale as soon as possible.
Town are also awaiting news from the FA to see whether they have any returns from the allocation they were given to sell.
The interest in Sunday’s match – the first international to be staged at Town’s impressive new stadium – reflects the growing popularity of the women’s game.
England’s recent quarter-final appearance in the World Cup in China has helped to raise the game’s profile.
Many of England’s players have become household names, with the likes of Everton defender Rachel Unitt and strikers Kelly Smith and Rachel Yankey – two of nine Arsenal players selected in Hope Powell’s squad for Sunday – all set to appear in Shrewsbury.
Town chief executive Steve Wellbeloved said the club were looking forward to staging the showpiece clash.
“We’re delighted to be hosting this prestigious match so soon after opening the new stadium,” he said.
“There’s a fair bit of work connected to it and we’re determined to do it well, not least because it will lay down a marker for hosting further matches such as youth internationals.”
He added Town were grateful to the Super Blues club for donating £6,000 to meet the UEFA stipulation on facilities for women’s matches at this level.
“In all, about £6,000 worth of work was required and the Super Blues immediately stepped in to allow this to go ahead,” he said.