TWTD has learnt that at least 350 Town fans are likely to be travelling to Milan without tickets for the second leg of the UEFA Cup, although we suspect the numbers could end up in the thousands.
Large numbers of supporters who had already booked flights and accommodation in Milan failed to get any of the 6,000 tickets Town had on sale. The last of these were snapped up on Wednesday morning.
Elsewhere we have received a number of complaints from fans about the priority scheme and its relation to the official trips, and particularly the length of time it has taken some supporters to get through on the phone. Whether Town get any more tickets for the game is not confirmed, although TWTD understands that Town will get no more than the 6,000 already issued.
Supporter David Goodchild didn't get a ticket but had booked a flight and accommodation in Milan. He asked through the TWTD Message Board if there were others in the same position that he was. He quickly discovered there were and now has been contacted by more than 350 similarly ticketless fans.
David told TWTD: "It all started yesterday when it transpired that I could not get Milan tickets and I started chatting online to a number of people on the Message Board. I said to send me details and we would look to get seats together direct from Milan if no more were forthcoming to the club.
"I was overwhelmed by the response and to date I have over 350 people, mostly season ticket holders and Portman Plus members, who have sorted flights accommodation etc. but have no tickets."
David and other supporters are now lobbying the club into trying to get more tickets and he has been in contact with club secretary David Rose's office. Inter rarely sell-out UEFA Cup games and it is likely that there will be large areas of the ground empty.
Other supporters who failed to gain tickets are angry at the length of time they spent waiting on the phone to the ticket office and the way it appears some people got round the priority system.
James Driver sent TWTD an email and has sent a similar piece to the club: "Once again Ipswich Town's inept ticket distribution amazes me. After upwards of five hours on the telephone today (Monday), I am still no closer to securing an Inter Milan away ticket with my Portman Plus Gold card.
"And later, I find out that three friends of mine have secured a ticket each, while only having one Portman Plus Gold card between them. Just what has happened to the so-called priority system?
"Obviously I am not prepared to mention names of my colleagues, as they are delighted to be going to the big game, and they are, like me, true supporters. The fact that they have decided to take the official tour option DOES NOT mean that the priority system be disregarded.
"It seems to me that ITFC are only interested in maximising their profits, and disappointing many a true supporter, as highlighted by the 60/40 ticket split, another point which I disagree with. The priority system is in place for distribution of the tickets, and not to force people into taking the club travel option."
Norwich-based supporter Emma Corlett had an equally annoying experience on the phone: "I tried all Monday to get through on the ticket line to get my away passport ticket. It was engaged all the time, I didn't even manage to get in the queuing system.
"The ticket office line had me as caller 23, so I didn't bother hanging on. Same again on Tuesday, so I decided to leave work early and drive to Ipswich. I got there just as it started to rain, so I got soaked. The bloke behind me in queue had driven up from London after also not being able to get through on phone."
Both failed to get tickets. While the club were selling tickets for the away Helsingborg game there were suggestions that the out-sourced ticket phoneline operators were not following the correct priority system, a claim that the club refuted. The length of time it takes to get through on the phone, particularly when there is massive demand, has been the subject of supporter complaints for some while and the huge demand for Inter tickets appears to have brought this to a head.
We have also heard from an Away Match Passport and season ticket holder who spent a large proportion of his Monday on the phone to the club for an Inter away ticket, but then received an Inter Milan home ticket in the post a day later.
If you want are a fan who has flights and accommodation booked but no tickets and want to contact David Goodchild, mail him here.