More than half the tickets for Shrewsbury Town’s crunch play-off final have been snapped up by eager fans as merchandise went on sale today to commemorate the match.

Supporters have been queuing throughout the day in a bid to get hold of a piece of sporting history ahead of the team’s much anticipated trip to Wembley on Saturday.

Manager Paul Simpson has called on fans to keep the feel-good factor going up to the big day and it seems many supporters have taken the message on board with queues for blue and amber jesters hats.

More than half of the ticket allocation has been sold with sales expected to reach more than 15,000 today. Judy Davies, ticket office manager, said there were about 30 £36 tickets left in the office with £26 and £46 ones also selling well.

She said: “People have been queuing all morning for tickets and merchandise. We’re very pleased that it’s going so well.

“We’ve had a full merchandise shop all morning. People are buying hats, scarves, shirts and flags.”

The club received another 4,000 tickets yesterday to cope with demand.

Mr Simpson said the dramatic semi-final win at Bury had given everyone a boost.

He said: “I do think the supporters, the club, everybody has got such a lift from it and actually getting there we have got to use that lift to keep the momentum.

“Right now it seems a long way to go but if possible we need to keep it going over the next week and hopefully build up to a crescendo. The fans are a massive part of it.”

Mr Simpson said he was looking forward to seeing the supporters decked out in blue and amber and said he hoped the team could reward their support with a promotion to League One.

Club captain Graham Coughlan said: “The fans have been a different class all season and it’s a great day out for them. On the day it comes down to 11 versus 11 but if we have the belief and the little slice of luck we will give ourselves every chance to win.”

The players have been practising penalties this week in the event the tie is not settled during normal play or extra time.

By Emma Kasprzak and Russell Roberts