Town have sold 15,500 tickets for Saturday’s Championship play-off semi-final first leg against Norwich City at Portman Road (Sky Sports 1 midday, KO 12.15pm).

Tickets went on sale to Platinum and Gold Card holders on Sunday at 8am, while season ticket holders were able to secure their seats from this morning with their seats reserved until Wednesday at 8am.

Silver Card holders can get their tickets from Tuesday at 8am before seats go on general sale from Wednesday at 8am.

Fans can purchase their tickets in person at Planet Blue but the club encourage supporters to buy their tickets online from ITFC Direct. Full ticketing details for the home and away legs can be found on the club site.

Manager Mick McCarthy expects most impartial observers will view the Canaries as favourites having done the double over the Blues during the regular season.

"They have beaten us twice, but I don’t think it does us any harm to be honest," he told talkSPORT.

"They have been outstanding since [manager Alex Neil] came in and they beat us there 2-0, but we didn't really play against them.

"I would have thought most people, innocent observers who have no vested interest in the game, will be thinking it is going to be Norwich [who win], so happy days.

"Norwich have got a terrific squad. We have got a squad that has been put together for next to nothing. We have spent £110,000 - £10,000 on Tyrone Mings and £100,000 on Freddie Sears - but it is brilliant.

"We have got a great squad of lads. They are a real joy to work with, they all fancy it, they all want it, and every week they give everything."

Photo: Action Images

blue90 added 08:44 - May 5 BlueSwede - finally someone talking some sense. I can't remember the exact figures but I think for last season we only just operated within FFP. A season in which we did not buy any players. I know we pay good wages but still, considering this it is impossible for Evans to invest anymore money. Where he is in this years rich list is irrelevant, he is doing everything he can!!

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Bergholtblue added 08:45 - May 5 Any thoughts from the club for a screen at PR for the away leg?
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brittaniaman added 08:48 - May 5 Blueswede: I think you answered your own question !! QPR broke the FFP rules last season by over spending, and they got a massive fine, which they have refused to pay, but we are still waiting the outcome of that one ?? so the only way it will work is to deduct Points..
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Tractorog added 09:07 - May 5 I'm no lawyer, but I believe that there is a general rule that only the state can impose fines and penalties. If a contract contains a fine or penalty that clause is void which is why the banks are not allowed to charge penalty fees for going over drawn any more (they can charge the cost of a letter but there can be no element of penalty). So I suspect the legality of FFP is questionable. In my own industry there are certain individuals who have been fined by the regulator several times and are now challenging the legality of the fines on this basis.

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commuterblue added 09:14 - May 5 invest more! charge less! play better football! don't concede!
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PhilTWTD added 11:50 - May 5 BlueSwede Essentially, clubs have to spend within their turnover plus an allowable further investment. The link posted above outlines the overall rules. Further useful links on embargoes and recent tweaking of the rules: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29940463 http://www.football-league.co.uk/news/article/2014/championship-financial-fair-p You're right to say that ME is limited in what he can inject - and according to Ian Milne Town have operated close to their limits - and that cash from ticket revenue from the play-offs will add to the available pot going forward (of course, this won't be particularly relevant if we get promoted!).

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sgtlargent added 13:40 - May 5 Hopefully those that do attend, intend on singing. Too many of you lot leave your voices at home. Zzzzzzzzzzzz
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gorse added 15:15 - May 5 While the extra money is nice, I wonder how much will be spent on Policing the first leg?
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MichaelT added 15:22 - May 5 Biggest game in over a decade and people are moaning about an extra 10/15 quid? I know everyone has different financial issues and families etc. But to attend a playoff semi-final game against your nearest and dearest is going to be one hell of an experience. I remember a few years back when we played arsenal in the semi final of the League Cup, me and my brother missed out on tickets but ended up buying 2 tickets for 100 each!! we didn't see it as a rip off, we were just excited about the prospect of seeing our team in an important game. NOW STOP MOANING AND CHEER THE BOYS ON!!

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yorkshirebluehd7 added 16:05 - May 5 I was so praying we got the equaliser as now means I can't go to the game or even watch it on sky because of daughters birthday party
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bluesince84 added 17:17 - May 5 YORKSHIREBLUE i feel for you my friend, the norwich home game this season was my nephews bday party and i put a big sign on the door saying no-one mention the result as i have it taped at home.....that lasted about 3 mins!
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blueboy1981 added 17:55 - May 5 BanksterDebtSlave ........... is absolutely right. Norwich have certainly done their bit to ensure their full house, with incentives apparently to ensure such - we seem to have adopted the principal that 'everyone will want to see this' - therefore no need to do anything other than 'man the ticket sales'. Of course we want a FULL HOUSE for this - But IS this the correct way to go about it ??? ..... I wonder !!! - with it being on Sky, which will make some (if not many) of the 'floaters' think twice. This is a comment / observation from a Season Ticket Holder of many, many years standing - before anyone accuses me of being a 'floater'. Hope the place is full to the rafters - but will it be ??? ........... it will need to be, to assist overcoming this opposition.

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Seasider added 18:08 - May 5 If we manage to beat the Canaries over two legs, which is possible but very far from being certain, and get through a Wembley final which we win.Even more unlikely but not out of the question;wouldn't it be a great gesture to pay the creditors,many of them local, who only received a small percentage of money owed to them when ITFC went into Administration under Mr Sheepshanks.

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blueboy1981 added 18:14 - May 5 ........ typical example on here of those who can afford - having no consideration for those who cannot. Or letting their heart rule their head - either way foolhardy / heartless - or BOTH. I am fortunate enough to be able to afford the game - but I am no one's fool - even the Club's - therefore believe the Club should / should have done everything to ensure EVERY seat is SOLD OUT. That would have included some on restricted / low income being able to have enjoyed the experience, as well as others. These people are just as important to ITFC - or should be.

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BlueSwede added 18:21 - May 5 Thanks everyone for the comments and thanks itfcserbia and Phil for the links about the FFP.
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rickw added 19:02 - May 5 I've been to every band C (£21) game this season, as I could't justify spending more when I can't afford it, however I see this as a special game and have spent £37 on a ticket for Saturday, so I think this will be a sellout even with the more expensive pricing
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Gilesy added 19:15 - May 5 Blueboy - are you suggesting this match won't sell out though? I largely agree with the principle; I'd rather Portman Road was full through lower ticket prices, but wouldn't the club too? I do think, however, that this match will sell out even at the increased price.
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blueboy1981 added 19:25 - May 5 Gilesy ......... I haven't said it won't sell out, if you read my post correctly you will see just that. I think I make my point very clearly, that there are possibly better ways of doing so WITHOUT biting the hand that feeds - in such a situation. IF it is true that Norwich are pricing their Tickets @ £25 - that in my book is a far fairer way of doing so, and rewarding the paying public. No doubt some wag will tell me to go and support Norwich - all that will do is indicate a depth of understanding, or not, as the case will individually apply. But I have come to expect that from some quarters.

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Gilesy added 19:39 - May 5 That's fine - I wasn't having a go! It's just "therefore believe the Club should / should have done everything to ensure EVERY seat is SOLD OUT" rather implies you think it won't. I just want to know what my chances of getting two tickets tomorrow are! Season ticket holder from 76 to 90 and now exiled in the far north. I'll pay whatever it takes.
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blueboy1981 added 20:03 - May 5 Gilesy .......... that's obviously your rightful choice, and the detail you give 'probably' indicates that you visit Portman Road very infrequently now - therefore prepared to 'pay whatever it takes' to see this game.
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