IMPORTANT: Wembley Ticket Information

Stoke City have announced the arrangements for the sale of the tickets for the FA Cup final against Manchester City next month.

The FA has informed the club that the allocation for our first ever appearance in the final will be 25,082. It`s disappointingly less than we got for the Semi-Final, but they must think of them poor needy cooperates! This allocation will satisfy all 21,000 season ticket holders, but leaves a tiny 4,082 tickets for those who dream of going to the final to fight over. Looks like you`ll be in the queue for the long haul.

The pecking order of when fans can be eligible to buy a ticket will follow as previously done for the FA Cup Semi-Final:
Platinum Plus - Bank Holiday Monday morning (2nd May)
Potters Foundation who are season ticket holders/Platinum - Bank Holiday Monday afternoon (2nd May)
Gold - Tuesday (3rd) and Wednesday (4th)
Silver/Potters Foundation without Season Tickets - Thursday (5th) should any be available but don`t count on it

For a further breakdown of details, and links to the FA sites, click HERE.

Speaking slightly out of turn here, it begs to differ that people who want to go just because it`s the final, get a huge chunk of the allocation over the life long and loyal supporters, from both Cities, who will actually shout and sing for their team. It means that a lot of the people who went to the final will miss out on an opportunity to watch Stoke at one of the biggest games of the year, and soak up the incredible atmosphere. I personally don`t think that`s right and neither does Peter Coates.

But despite our chairman`s request for a larger allocation, the FA refuse to budge hinting that it has always been that way, so therefore will stay that way. Maybe time for a change then?

I could go on, and on, and on. Moan, whinge, whine and complain. But it won`t get us anywhere. So we have to accept what we`ve got and focus on the positives.

Like the confirmation that Martin Atkinson will referee the final! And former X-Factor finalist and 'I`m a Celebrity` Queen of the jungle Stacey Solomon will be providing entertainment on the day!! She will apparently perform a pre-match set on the Wembley pitch before singing the National Anthem.

Oh the joys of reality TV stardom. I say that but I actually like her!

Stacey said: "I am so excited at the thought of performing at The FA Cup Final in front of millions of people around the world. Wow, what an amazing opportunity".

She will be joined by three-piece vocal group, Tenors Unlimited, who will perform the traditional FA Cup Final hymn, 'Abide with Me`.

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.