Last-minute semi-final ticket joy for Aussie Wolves fan
A Wolves fan living in Australia has avoided disaster by picking up a semi-final ticket just five days before the big game.
Mark Ardley and his son Thomas booked £1,400 flights from Perth back in July last year to arrive in England tomorrow.
The plan was to watch Wolves take on Manchester United in the match originally scheduled for Saturday.
They then were due to attend the away fixture against Southampton on April 13 and the home game against Brighton on April 20.
But when the fixture was moved after the team's FA Cup heroics the 48-year-old realised he would miss out on the game against the Red Devils.
With only 100 loyalty points to his name, Mark and his 12-year-old son were also set to miss out on the big game at Wembley, until a friend stepped in.
He said: "For some reason it wasn't working when I was trying to buy the tickets on the waiting list, until a friend of mine logged into my account himself and was able to get them.
"With 100 loyalty points we couldn't get tickets until yesterday, we would have been on the doorstep of Wembley but not going to the game.
"We're staying with my sister in London and it'll be great to be in amongst the Wolves supporters for such a special occasion.
"We're over the moon that we got them.
"It's amazing, I was ecstatic and relieved it's just incredible.
"It's been worrying me for so long that we couldn't go, I would have been so upset.
"My son is so happy to be a part of it."
Originally from Chelmsford in Essex, Mark was introduced to the club by his father who was a big fan of legendary captain Billy Wright.
Mark followed the club home and away until he left for Australia as a backpacker in 1997.
He added: "I remember being at the Sherpa Van final and I want my son to experience that at Wembley, it's such a big thing.
"We watch every game live on TV over here, and this season has given us some great memories, it's magic.
"We'll have to fly back if we get to the final and we can get tickets."
