Warning to fans on eve of cup tie

Last updated : 22 March 2006 By Editor

With the attendance expected to disappointing for a game of such magnitude in the club's history, it seems that blaming the FA for switching all the sixth round ties to midweek, in its bid to help the national team prepare for the World Cup, isn't enough.

The message from the club to supporters without a ticket is ‘Attend on Thursday or risk missing the semi-final.'

Since West Ham reached the last four on Monday, and Chelsea are also considered highly likely to progress tonight, should Charlton join them in the last four, Liverpool and three London clubs will have reached the semi-finals, and an all London tie at a neutral venue would be unavoidable.

So if Charlton beat Boro and avoid the European Champions in the draw for the next round, tickets to face either West Ham or Chelsea, presuming they beat Newcastle tonight, will be limited. Why? Because a neutral venue in the capital doesn't offer the same facilities that Villa Park or Old Trafford does for example, and the club wants to warn fans of this hypothesis in advance.

Charlton have already promised to give greater priority to fans wishing to secure a place at any potential semi-final if they attend the club's league and cup matches against Middlesbrough this month.

But with the FA Cup match being screened live on BBC2, tickets sales identify that some supporters have opted to attend the Addicks Premiership meeting with Newcastle United at the Valley on Sunday and watch the cup game at home instead.

Source: Official site