Ipswich Town will have a big following at St Mary's for the FA Cup 3rd round tie in January after their first allocation of tickets sold fast.

The Tractor Boys received an initial allocation of 3,100 tickets for the game at St Mary's on Sunday January 4th basically the normal away allocation in the Premier League, however Ipswich and Saints officials had talked and Town retained the option to take up the full allocation of 4,700 or around 15% of the capacity.

They have almost sold the 3,100 originally received with the last few tickets expected to go today and therefore they have requested a further 1,600 to give them the maximum amount that they will be granted.

Ipswich are also highly appreciative of Saints in allowing them to take the extra 5% they are entitled to in FA Cup games, usually the initial 10% is on sale or return , with the extra 5% on a strict pay for any seats not taken basis, but Saints have waived this ruling so Ipswich do not have to gamble that they may have to fork out of their own pockets for any unsold tickets.

Staff officials from both clubs had been in regular discussion since the two were paired in the FA Cup 3rd Round draw with regards to the match pricing and ticket allocation for away fans and with Ipswich co operating in allowing Saints to reduce ticket prices to low levels, Saints reciprocated in return.

From Ipswich Town's official web site

“Southampton, and in particular Michael Jolliffe — Saint’s Ticket Office Manager, have been fantastic,” Lee Hyde, Town’s director of retail operations told the Club website.

“They’ve moved a number of conditions which are usually in place that can restrict a club’s reluctance to ‘gamble’ financially when taking the extra five per cent that away Club’s are entitled to in the Cup.”

Good to see that Saints are now talking to other teams and looking to work with them with regard to ticket prices and allocations rather than just stick to rules and regulation which in the long run do nothing to help supporters.

Photo: Action Images

A1079 added 17:08 - Dec 19 This is how it should work. Well done Saints and Ipswich for working together for the good of the fans and the respective clubs. I have always felt that there is a certain bond between these 2 clubs. I have seen some great games between us, the most memorable being when McMenemy was our manager and Bobby Robson was the Ipswich manager. We were 3-1 down at half time at the Dell and came back and won 4-3. McMenemy allegedly said to our team at half time - mountains are there to be climbed! In many ways resonates today. Hope this tie will be equalling exciting with the same outcome, though Mick McCarthy is pretty useful as a manager of championship clubs. It won't be easy.

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