Tonight's Carabao Cup clash between Sheffield Wednesday and Grimsby Town at Hillsborough is set to be more than just a game! Grimsby Town fans are being urged to participate in a vendor boycott initiated by Sheffield Wednesday supporters.
Why the Boycott?
Sheffield Wednesday fans, backed by their Supporters’ Trust, are boycotting all retail outlets inside Hillsborough. This includes club merchandise, food, and drink kiosks. The aim? To pressure owner Dejphon Chansiri to sell the club.
The boycott stems from serious concerns regarding Chansiri's alleged failure to pay HMRC (Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs) and unpaid wages to both playing and non-playing staff. These issues have sparked fears about the club's future.
Mariners Trust Backs the Boycott
The Mariners Trust, representing Grimsby Town fans, appears to be supporting the action. They're encouraging travelling fans to use outside vendors instead of those inside Hillsborough. A spokesperson also suggested that some pubs, normally reserved for home supporters, might be opening their doors to away fans due to the boycott.
Adding a splash of colour to the protest, the Trust is also encouraging Grimsby Town supporters to wear their yellow shirts from last season as a show of solidarity.
More Tickets Approved!
In related news, Sheffield Wednesday's Safety Advisory Group and South Yorkshire Police have approved an additional 2,000 tickets for the game. This brings Grimsby Town's total allocation to 6,069 – their first trip to Hillsborough since 2003!
Tickets remain on sale until 3pm today via the Blundell Park Ticket Office and online. Supporters who purchased tickets from the additional allocation after Saturday need to collect them from the ticket booth outside turnstiles 1 to 7 on Leppings Lane at Hillsborough from 6:30pm tonight.
Coach Travel Still Available
Coach travel, independently provided by Soccer Express, is still available. Two 78-seater coaches are scheduled to depart from Blundell Park at 4:45pm today, heading directly to Hillsborough with a stop at Doncaster Services. The price is £15 per person. Call Soccer Express at 0333 444 0226 between 4:30pm and 10pm to book a seat.
It seems tonight's game will be a memorable one, both on and off the pitch!