Here we go! 20,000 seats for Saddlers' first trip to Wembley

The Saddlers created history this week by booking their place in the final of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy after beating Preston North End over two legs.

There will be an initial allocation of just over 20,000 tickets, but this could rise depending to demand, to see the club's first appearance at Wembley in its 127-year history.

Travel firms are braced to put on scores of coaches to the capital for the final on March 22 due to fans already wanting to secure seats even before the final tickets go on sale.

The Saddlers opponents in London will be either Bristol City or Gillingham, who meet tonight with the Robins having a 4-2 advantage.

Tickets will not be available for fans to purchase until a week on Friday. Season tickets holders will get priority, followed by supporters with a booking history or ticket stubs. The tickets will then go on general sale.

A statement on Walsall FC website said: "The Saddlers will be making our first-ever appearance at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, March 22 in the final of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

"We have been given an initial allocation of just over 20,000 tickets with more available should they be required."

"These will not be with us until next week and will not go on sale until February 6."

Travel firms including Big Green Coach and Soccer Express are already advertising transport to and from the big game.

Almost as soon as Walsall had secured their place in the final with the two-legged success over Preston, they began offering their services.

Big Green Coach director Danny Newby said although fans were waiting to snap up match day tickets first, the availability of seats to travel to Wembley had been the second most viewed page on the firm's website.

"I think they are going to be very popular," he said. "I think there will be a lot of interest, it is the first time Walsall will have been to Wembley. I think Walsall is going to be empty that day.

"It is going to be a family day out, there will be a lot of people who will have never been to Wembley."