It's the hottest ticket in town!

Monday 14th November 2005

TONIGHT'S visit of Forest is arguably the biggest competitive match ever held in Weymouth.

A sell-out crowd of 6,500 will be at the Wessex Stadium for the first round replay - most hoping to see the Terras secure a famous FA Cup victory.

Millions more will watch the game from the comfort of their front-rooms with the clash aired live on Sky Sports.

But away from the action, the preparations for tonight's game have been long and arduous.

Led by chief executive Gary Calder, club staff and volunteers have spent hours ensuring everything is alright on the night.

Here the Dorset Echo goes behind-the-scenes for the build up to the mouth-watering contest.

4.45pm Saturday November 5

The final whistle blows at the City Ground and Weymouth secure a replay following a I-I draw. Preparations are underway...

10am Monday November 7

Replay tickets are designed. But before the print button is pressed, Weymouth receive the phone call they've been waiting for.

Gary Calder gets confirmation the match will be screened live on Sky Sports, boosting the Terras coffers to the tune of £75,000.

9am Tuesday November 8

Tickets are printed, with the first batch delivered to the Wessex Stadium and on sale to season ticket holders by 2pm.

Phones continue to ring off the hook with hundreds of enquires from fans all over the country.
Meanwhile, chief executive Gary Calder holds the first of a series of meetings with officials from Sky Sports who survey the Wessex Stadium.

9am Wednesday November 9

A team of at least five club staff and volunteers are on duty at all times in the Barclays Suite dealing with ticket sales and enquiries.

Fans who went to the City Ground clash start to queue at 8am to ensure a replay ticket.

Within a couple of hours, more than 2,000 are sold.

Calder discusses matchday arrangements with police, fire and council officials.

A decision is made to charge £5 for car parking at the ground, with some spaces available at businesses at the Granby Industrial Estate.

More meetings with Sky Sports who carry out an onsite visit.

2pm Wednesday November 9
With tickets due to go on general sale, queues begin stretching 500 yards around the Wessex Stadium car park.

But a problem arises when printers are late delivering the final batch of 4,000 tickets.

Calder decides to continue with sales, allowing fans to purchase tickets and collect them at leisure.

Sky tells club they plan to use eight cameramen for their live coverage of the tie.

Tests reveal brightness from the stadium floodlights is not good enough in places for the television company.

Calder springs into action to import some extra floodlighting.

9pm Wednesday November 9

Probably the most hectic day in the club's history is over.
Officials announce more than 5,000 tickets are sold within 24 hours.

10am Thursday November 10
Arrangements are made to ,create a temporary studio and gantry above the terracing.

Sky commentator lan Crocker and analyst Tony Gale ,will be sat opposite the main stand, while anchorman Jeff Stelling and former Terras manager Steve Claridge will be in a studio at the speedway end of the ground.

The matchday programme is completed and sent to the printers.

Around 2,000 have been ordered, 1,500 more than usual.

Arrangements are made with AFC Bournemouth for the use of 30 Dean Court stewards for the replay.
Extra catering facilities for supporters are ordered, while shuttle buses are arranged for fans to get to the stadium from the town centre.

Hampshire Cricket Club also lend a hand, allowing the Terras to use their blotter machine to clear any surface water from the pitch if needed.

11am Thursday November 10

Calder finally tucks into a three-hour old bacon roll and cold cup of coffee, having arrived at 8am.

9pm Thursday November 10

Another day, is over and less than 200 tickets remain.

9am Friday November 11
Various sponsors, guests and members of the media will be attending and ticketing arrangements are made for them.

Requests from more than 35 national and local media organisations are received.
The final few terrace tickets remain on sale.

6pm Friday November 11

Calder chairs a meeting with match-day volunteers to discuss arrangements for Monday.
The group include programme and ticket sellers, stewards, and Tannoy staff.

3pm Saturday November 12

In between all the hussle and bustle of ensuring Monday's big game goes smoothly, Weymouth host Welling United in Conference South.

1pm Sunday November 13

The Wessex Stadium staff take a well earned break.
Calder, who has spent the whole week on his mobile, makes a few last minute phone calls to check on arrangements.

9am Monday November 14

Matchday is here.

The entire behind-the scenes operation clicks into gear again.
Only time will tell whether everything goes as planned...