Nearly half of Shrewsbury Town Football Club’s allocation for its crunch play-off final at Wembley have been sold.

More than 11,000 tickets had been sold by this morning, as 4,000 extra tickets it has asked for to boost its allocation arrived.

The club now has an allocation of 25,000. A small group of supporters were outside the Prostar Stadium this morning eagerly waiting for the ticket office to open.

Tickets for the match against Gillingham on May 23 went on general sale from the ground 24 hours early .

Jon Harris, general manager of Shrewsbury Town FC, said there had been a strong take-up of sales online, while hundreds of people queued earlier in the week when tickets went on sale to season ticket holders and Sovereign Club members.

He said the club’s extra allocation arrived at about 9am today, and fans who were queuing were given cups of tea and coffee while they waited.

“Online sales have been very good and stadium sales have been very good and steady,” he said.

“We’re expecting a steady flow today. I think we’ve got the message home that there isn’t a need to panic.

“It’s been a fantastic uptake but we didn’t expect anything different.

“We know how patient our supporters are and how loyal they are and there’s no question that there will be between 20,000 and 25,000 there a week on Saturday,” he added.

The Ticketzone hotline is 0844 8444410.

People planning to travel to Wembley by coach will be able to park at Sutton Grange Nursery Car Park, near the Prostar Stadium in Shrewsbury.

Chris Smith, Shrewsbury Town away travel club organiser, said people will need to pay £5 for a parking permit.

For further details about the exact pick-up points and how to get tickets call Mr Smith on (01952) 604742 or e-mail him at shrewsawaytravel@hotmail.com

By John Kirk