HERE'S one Sold Out sign that will cheer all York City hearts.

Saturday's FA Cup clash with Fulham will see Bootham Crescent packed to the rafters, after hundreds of fans queued today to snap up precious tickets.

Tickets for the game with the Premiership side went on general sale at about 8.15am.

James Richardson, communications manager, said the club had intended to start selling at 9am, but had opened early because of the size of the queue.

By 11am, the last lucky ticket holder was leaving Bootham Crescent, guaranteeing City a bumper pay day.

One of the first people to get their hands on a ticket was Alan Barratt, 27, who had been queuing since 7am.

He said: "I've been a fan all my life, and this is a great game for City."

A fan hit out after it turned out he had been waiting in vain.

David Wedgewood, from Leppington, near Stamford Bridge, tried to telephone the club last week before joining the queue at Bootham Crescent today, but still missed out on a ticket.

"It seems to have been an unfair system when loyal fans miss out. And it wasn't through a lack of trying," said Mr Wedgewood, who claims to have followed City both home and away this season.

"I'm not one for kicking up a fuss, and the club needs all the support it can get at the moment. But when you follow them home and away and are one of the 60 fans who watched them at Notts County in the LDV Vans Trophy this season it's disappointing.

"This was our chance to be rewarded for following the team at games like that and spending hundreds of pounds travelling across the country."

Mr Wedgewood said he had left his details with the ticket office in the hope he will be able to buy any returns.

Another queuing fan, Adam Thompson, 19, said: "It's a big day for City this Saturday."

A win would see City go into the fifth round for the first time since 1986.

The game will be watched by a crowd of more than 9,000.

Fulham put their 3,000 allocation on sale to season ticket holders today.

Meanwhile, City of York Council chiefs were today delivering a confidential letter to City chairman Douglas Craig regarding details of a consortium bid to buy the club.

The council is leading a collection of local businesses who wish to purchase York City and Bootham Crescent.

On Saturday, the council revealed the consortium had made Mr Craig an offer and said it had been rejected.

But Mr Craig told the Evening Press he had not received any details of any consortium bid.

Updated: 14:32 Monday, January 21, 2002