HUNDREDS of football fans queued outside AFC Bournemouth's ground this morning in the hope of getting tickets to their final league game of the season.

Some slept through the night outside the Goldsands Stadium with the aim of getting their hands on seats for the match against Charlton Athletic next Saturday, May 2, after the original 2,900 ticket allocation sold out on Monday, April 6.

Club chairman Jeff Mostyn also expressed his gratitude earlier this week to Charlton Athletic after they granted an extra 1,400 away tickets for the upper section of the West Stand for Cherries fans, an area normally reserved for home supporters.

The first person to proudly lay their hands on tickets was Tony Wheat, 52 from Verwood, who said that he had been queuing since 12noon on Friday.

He added: “I feel fantastic and the re-allocation was fantastic. It wasn’t important for me to be first in the line but it was very important that I got these tickets. I queued for five hours when tickets originally went on sale and missed out. It’s all about the passion of the game.”

Fellow fan, Peter Davidson, 71 from Lower Parkstone, then proceeded to offer Mr Wheat £200 each for two of the tickets, which he refused. The offer was eventually raised to £1,000 for each ticket, which Mr Wheat declined.

Having followed the Cherries for almost 50 years, Peter Davidson said that he wanted to take his daughter, Claire, to the match against Charlton Athletic.

He added: “I’ve been a fan since I was 22. I thought he would have accepted that offer, but it shows his loyalty. I would pay up to £1,500 each for two tickets, so £3,000 in total.

“It’s such an important part of history, to be at their final fame of the season. I’ve missed a lot of games in the past, due to business and playing golf, but I don’t want to miss this one.

“I just want to take my daughter along, so I am hoping to get a ticket for her, as she’s a daddy’s girl.”

Rachel Maidment, 35, was kicking a football around with little son, Jack, 22-months, dressed in a mini replica shirt, while waiting for partner, Nicky, who was queuing for tickets.

She said: “I’ve been a fan since I moved here around 10 years ago. Jack absolutely loves nothing more than kicking a ball around. He will definitely go to games in the future, but I think the one on May 2 might be a bit noisy for him.

“It would be the dream, the ultimate, for him to play for AFC Bournemouth one day.”