STOKE CITY are hoping that the loudest supporters in the Barclays Premier League will turn out in force for their FA Cup third round tie against York City . . . after learning that their non-league opponents expect to bring a 4,500-strong following to the game.

The Britannia Stadium Ticket Office today issued a further 1,500 tickets to the Blue Square Premier League high-fliers after their initial allocation of 3,000 seats sold out in quick time at Kit Kat Crescent last week.

York's big day out at the Britannia Stadium has created great excitement among their supporters and they are anticipating that the additional tickets will also be in big demand this week.

The cup tie is one of three home games for the Potters in the space of nine days with Premier League fixtures against Birmingham City and Fulham either side of the York match.

Tickets are on sale for all three matches - Birmingham on Monday 28th December (3.00pm), York City on Saturday 2nd January (3.00pm) and Fulham on Tuesday 5th January (7.45pm).

Tickets are priced as follows for the FA Cup third round tie - £15.00 for adults, £10.00 for over 65s and £5.00 for under 17s. The tickets went on general sale on Thursday 17th December and are also now available at scfcdirect.com.

Due to the size of their allocation following the release of additional tickets, York are now expected to fill the whole of the SEAT Stand.

*For more information, please contact the Britannia Stadium Ticket Office on 0871 663 2008.

*A full list of Ticket Office opening times for Christmas and the New Year are available on the website.