General manager Paul Bell is very hopeful that the 10,000 barrier can be broken for the first time since chairman John Courtenay's debut match in charge against Hartlepool on the opening day of last season. "We are hoping for around 10,000," said Bell. "They are top of the league but our fans come first, although we want to keep both sides happy." The table-topping Tigers have received 1,801 tickets for the game and none will be available on the day to their supporters for whom the game will be all-ticket. However Bell said more tickets would be sent to Hull if demand exceeded supply. "We'll keep monitoring their sales on a daily basis, and are willing to send them more. The away capacity is 1,801 but we can give them more seats in the East Stand if required, but that will not be to the detriment of our own supporters," he said. The Hartlepool game in August 2002 attracted 11,041, a figure that was disputed and which led to the introduction of all-ticket admittance on match days. Because of the likely queues at the portakabins on Saturday, the club are urging fans to come early or buy their tickets before the day of the game from the ticket office. The last time club attracted a large gate against Darlington on December 28, the game was forced to kick off at 3.15pm because of delays in getting fans into the ground. Manager Paul Simpson is looking forward with relish to the clash that pits bottom against top. United however have gone five home games unbeaten, their best run for a number of years. City meanwhile are on a run of seven straight league wins. "It would be fantastic if 10,000 turn up and it wouldn't surprise me knowing what our supporters are like", said Simpson. "Hull are always well supported and the more the merrier. If we can drum up support and get them roaring it can only be good for us." Soccer stars and officials pay respects to Stokoe Famous footballing names from Sunderland, Newcastle and Carlisle United paid their respects to the former Cumbrians boss Bob Stokoe at his funeral yesterday. Sir Bobby Robson, Hughie McIlmoyle, United club director Dick Young Jnr and members of the famous Sunderland FA Cup winning side of 1973 were amongst the mourners at the Newcastle Crematorium. Stokoe who was 73 and had been ill for some years, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday. He had three spells as manager of Carlisle between 1968 and 1986, taking the club to the semi-finals of the League Cup and winning promotion to the old Second Division. Picture from News & Star |
