Pictures and video: Hundreds queue as Shrewsbury Town vs Manchester United tickets go on general sale

Hundreds of people braved the sub-zero temperatures to secure their seat to watch the all important match and the queue snaked its way around the car park's perimeter and out of the club's main gates.

Angela Locke, 51 who works in a nursing home and her hairdresser daughter Laura, 33, were first in the queue. The pair from Shrewsbury had taken their places at 8.15pm last night.

Armed with thick coats and Thermos flasks they ensured they were first to the ticket office when it opened at just before 9am this morning.

But they weren't even standing in queue to buy tickets for themselves. Instead Angela was buying one for her son and Laura was getting one for her boyfriend.

"We are dedicated," said Angela. "We stayed in the camper van at first until more people turned up and then we braved the cold. I have got five layers of clothing on just to try and keep warm. I hope that Town win even though we are not going to the match ourselves. The tickets are for my son and for my daughter's boyfriend. I am just a dedicated mum."

Taxi owner Tony Draycott, 51, from Meole Brace was second in line and took his place in the queue at just before 10pm last night.

"I thought there would be some people here already when I arrived so I wasn't surprised," he said.

"I was bored at home and thought I would come down and try my luck. I go to a lot of games with people in my buses. I am hoping for a draw or a replay which will then go to penalties at Old Trafford and have been a Town fan all my life but the ticket is actually a surprise for my grandson, Frankie, who plays for Shrewsbury Town's Under Sevens."

Hayley Reece had travelled from St Asaph in North Wales to queue for her ticket. The 45-year-old was bundled up against the cold and had joined the queue at around 1am.

Her husband is in the Philippines setting up a new building firm but Hayley has been following the town for about 15 years and said he is gutted to miss the big match.

"But he will be so proud of me doing this," said Hayley from beneath two coats and a number of scarves and hats.

Meg Cole, 17 from Church Stretton and her friend Nicole Lewis, 16, from Craven Arms had spent part of the night asleep outside the ticket office. They had arrived at the ground at 4am with Nicole's dad Brian, a 51-year-old builder.

"We are desperate for tickets," said Meg from beneath her duvet. "I have to get a ticket." Nicole added: "I support both Man Utd and Town. The game is too good an opportunity to miss. We were so desperate for tickets that we slept on the floor."

Personal trainer Gareth Jones from Shrewsbury said his son wanted to see the match and he was treating him to a ticket as he had recently been ill.

The 41-year-old said: "He is a big Shrewsbury Town fan and has been ill lately. He is asleep in the car under two duvets while I am stood out here in the cold. He used to be a Man Utd fan but now he is dedicated to the Town."

Denise Corfield, 53, from Welshpool and her daughter Azora, 11, were patiently waiting further down the queue. They had arrived at around 5.30am.

"We are both very big fans of both clubs but we will be cheering on the town. I would like there to be a draw as then it means we can go to Old Trafford and get some money for the club. I'm looking forward to see both teams play. It will be exciting to see the Manchester United players. It is great for the town."

Also standing in the queue, where hot tea and coffee were being handed out by members of the club, was Brian Jones and his son, 36-year-old landscape architect, Matthew. The retired 63-year-old had arrived at the ground at around 7.30am. "I was very surprised by the number of people already here," said Brian. "The excitement of coming to see the biggest club in the country and one of the biggest in the world is wonderful. I have supported both teams but I have been coming to see the Town play since the 1960s. My dad used to take me to the Old Gay Meadow on the crossbar of his bike.

"There will be a great atmosphere on the night and that is what I am looking forward to the most. How many opportunities are there to get thousands of people together in one place in Shrewsbury all cheering on their side? I don't think the players will let themselves down. They have a good manager who knows what he is doing. There is great support for the Town and the manager and that makes me proud to be a Salopian.