Tickets for Shrewsbury Town’s Wembley showdown for a place in League One went on sale today, with thousands of fans expected to make the journey south to roar the club on.

A hotline and website have been set up to deal with the massive interest expected to be generated by the play-off final. Coachloads of fans will be travelling to Wembley, with at least 20 due to make the trip to the capital.

The Shrews secured a place in the final by beating Bury on penalties after two nail-biting semi-final legs.

Now the club will play Gillingham at the national stadium on May 23.

Shrewsbury Town have been granted an initial allocation of 21,000 tickets, compared with 38,000 given to Gillingham.

The hotline has been set up to give season ticket and Sovereign Club holders a chance to buy their tickets until 7pm on Thursday, the club said today.

Fans can now also buy them on the internet before they go on general sale online from 7pm on Thursday, and from 9am on Friday for people wanting to buy over the phone.

Sales from the ticket office at the Prostar Stadium will be cash only. This will be open from tomorrow until Friday to season ticket and Sovereign Club membership holders. General sales from the ticket office will begin on Saturday.

Club general manager Jon Harris said getting to Wembley had given the town a massive boost.

He said: “I think the general consensus is that it’s going to be a massive pick-up. There have been difficult times out there and this is a real bonus. It’s all got to be good news.”

The Ticketzone call centre will be open 9am to 7pm weekdays and from 10am until 4pm on weekends.

The ticket office at the Prostar Stadium will be open from 9am to 7pm tomorrow until Friday and from 10am to 4pm on Saturday and Sunday. Ticket prices will range from £26 (£13 concessions) to £56.

Season ticket holders will be able to buy their tickets online by clicking on the link at www.shrewsburytown.com or by phone by calling Ticketzone on 0844 8444410.

By John Kirk and Russell Roberts