GRIMSBY Town staff say disappointing ticket sales suggest fans may have "written us off already" in Sunday's play-off clash at Newport.
Accounts manager Steve Wraith thought fans were "down in the dumps" about Wednesday's controversial 1-0 defeat to Newport in the dying moments of the game when ticket sales were slow on Thursday.
But yesterday, only 50 fans bought tickets to the away leg to support the team that could progress to Wembley and finally be promoted to the football league if they win.
However, the Blundell Park ticket office is open 9am until noon today, so there is still chance to get your ticket and back our boys to beat the Welsh side away.
Mr Wraith said: "We've been scratching our heads because it has been unbelievably quiet – it's as though fans have written us off already.
"It's crazy because it's only one goal and with our away form, we still stand a great chance."
However, the total number of tickets sold is 650, which Mr Wraith said is impressive given the five-and-a-half-hour journey to Newport.
"It's not a bad crowd to take all that way but I thought we would fill our allocation and we've got 400 left," he added.
Two lads who weren't put off by the defeat – or the journey – were Harry Bampbell, 16, and Jack Blockley, 17, who caught the ticket office just in time to buy the last tickets sold on Thursday.
Jack, of Hardy's Road, Cleethorpes, said: "We've got a good chance of doing it.
"On Wednesday we played OK, but on our day we can beat anyone in the league so if we turn up to play, we can win.
"Our away form has been really good and I actually prefer the atmosphere at away games – everyone sings louder because there are less of you.
"I'm getting the coach down and I think there will be a good turn-out but I hope the whole town gets behind them on the day."
Harry, of Lindum Road, said: "Going in 1-0 down isn't too bad – all it takes is one goal and we are right back in it. The atmosphere will be great and I think we can win it – it's going to be a long journey home if we don't."
But if you can't make the five-and-a-half-hour journey to Newport on Sunday, The McMenemy's Suite will be showing both play-off games.
It opens at 12.30pm and tickets cost £3 for adults and £2 for children – which includes a drink – but you must book to guarantee entry.
It will be a comeback that no Grimsby fan wants to miss if it takes them to Wembley – and Mr Wraith thinks trailing a goal might not be such a bad thing.
He added: "Going in to a game with a 1-0 lead is dangerous because you don't know whether to attack or defend so at least our players will start on the front foot because they know what they have to do."
