FA Cup fever has hit the town with a frenzy, and a trip to the new Wembley stadium is all everyone is talking about.

It is expected around 30,000 tickets will be allocated to Reds fans wanting to be at the FA Cup semi-final in less than three weeks' time.

That has led to a flurry of fans phoning local coach operators wanting to ensure their travel plans are in place.

Within minutes of the final whistle being blown at Oakwell on Saturday night fans were trying to organise buses to make the trip down Wembley way.

Several local coach operators are booked up already, and Goodyear coaches were fully booked by Sunday night.

Other operators are holding on until the announcement as to whether the match will be on Saturday April 5 or Sunday April 6.

Yorkshire Rose Coaches, based in Summer Lane, has already got 24 coaches fully booked - with a staggering 46 more lined up for the fans.

Owner David Mills said: "People were trying to book coaches immediately after full time. Everyone wants to go.

"We have made arrangements to lease coaches from other operators all over the country, and we've got them coming from all over the north of England.

"We took 40 coaches to Cardiff two years ago for the play-off finals, but this is the FA Cup and it seems to have created even more excitement and enthusiasm.

"Lots of people want to make a weekend of it and some are even planning to make it a three-day long trip."

Tykes all over the world are planning flights back to get to Wembley, and Alan Bloore from the Barnsley Supporters' Club says he has been inundated with calls, emails and text messages from all around the globe.

The Star has chartered a fleet of coaches to take fans to Wembley and is offering readers specially-priced package deals including accommodation at hotels near the new Wembley stadium. See today's Star for more information.

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Reds waiting for Wembley tickets go-ahead.

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