Leicester City Football Club have issued a heartfelt thanks to its "brilliant" supporters for their patience during the queues for tickets ahead of tomorrow night's big match.
The Blue Army are just two games from Wembley, and three away from the promised land of Premier League football.
But first they face Watford in the home leg of the play-off semi-final – with the King Power Stadium expected to be a 32,000 sell-out.
Nearly 28,000 tickets have been snapped up so far, with extra tickets released earlier today after the deadline for season ticket holders to purchase their own seats passed.
"The supporters have been brilliant", said a club spokesman.
"We'd like to them everyone for their patience over the last few days."
The excitement generated by City's last-gasp win at Forest on Saturday to propel them into the final play-off spot left the club struggling to keep up with demand for tonight's home leg.
Sunday and bank holiday Monday saw thousands of people queuing for tickets outside the ground, while the volume of inquires crashed the club's ticket line and website.
It has led to some scathing criticism from some of the Foxes faithful.
Season ticket holder Michael Rayns, 65, of Rugby, said: "In previous play-off years, season ticket holders were given priority before tickets went on general sale.
"It would have cut the queues and lessened the confusion."
Disabled fan Steven Palmer, 49, from Wigston, said he was unhappy that disabled supporters were expected to queue for so long.
He said: "Prior to the Cardiff play-off game a few seasons ago disabled supporters were able to go in comfort to the ticket office on the day before tickets went on sale to other groups."
"The whole sales procedure has been a fiasco!"
The club spokesman said: "We are absolutely delighted that the tie has generated so much excitement in the city and are doing everything we can to satisfy the high level of demand for tickets from our supporters."
He said more than 25,000 tickets were sold in three days, mostly through the club website, which did experience some issues on Sunday morning.
Tickets for Sunday's second leg at Vicarage Road have sold out.
He added: "We do, however, understand that the increased demand has led to difficulties for some supporters wishing to purchase tickets.
"Following the bank holiday rush, service online, over the phone and in person has been more accessible.
"We apologise if supporters have experienced difficulties with their ticket purchases."
He added: "We are expecting the largest crowd of the season for Thursday's game and supporters are urged to purchase tickets as early as possible to avoid disappointment."
The ground holds 32,262 people. The biggest ever attendance for a football match was 32,188 for a friendly against Real Madrid on July 30, 2011.
