Paul Downing: Wembley ticket sales beyond our wildest dreams

Paul Downing believes the "incredible" level of ticket sales for the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final has been beyond many people's wildest expectations.

The March 22 showpiece is on course to pull one of the largest final attendances in the competition's near 30 year history.

At present, Dean Smith's men are set to be backed by a travelling support of approaching 30,000 and for players from a division where only a handful of clubs pull in five figure crowds, it promises to be quite the experience.

"It's incredible," admits Downing. "We have played in front of nowhere near that number of fans.

"It is a credit to both clubs, for us to have captured the imagination of all the fans and to have sold that number has outgrown anyone's wildest predictions.

"We can't thank the fans enough for the support they are going to give us."

With still almost a fortnight to go it looks certain the game should become just the fifth final in the competition's history to break the 70,000 attendance mark.

The crowd of 80,841 who watched Wolves defeat Burnley in 1988 remains the largest ever and that record is likely to stay intact.

But there is a chance this month's game could beat the current high at the rebuilt Wembley, when 73,476 watched Southampton beat Carlisle.

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Downing, whose uncle Keith played for Wolves in the final 27 years ago, revealed players have watched with the delight the speed tickets have been snapped up.

"Especially on the first day when you heard rumours of the queueing for seven or eight hours that people had done, I was probably a little bit surprised at that," he said. "I think when we thought about it, when we got through it is just extended family with the amount people want and it can just go on and on. Anything is possible."

Downing will have no shortage of support from family and friends at the game, including his uncle.

"I got in early with the tickets and sorted them out, there will be a big family entourage there," he said. "They are looking forward to it like I am, it's going to be a big day.

"I have been to a few games there, it is a great place. i watched, as did most of the lads, the Capital One Cup final, the pitch looks in immaculate condition.

"With the number of tickets being sold, it is going to be a great atmosphere."