‘Incredible’ – Dean Holden expresses admiration for Charlton Athletic fanbase as huge numbers set to make Old Trafford trip

Dean Holden has described Charlton Athletic’s ticket sales for next Tuesday’s EFL Cup quarter-final at Manchester United as “incredible”.

The Addicks sold out their initial allocation of 7,403 tickets just a few minutes after they went on general sale earlier this week.

An additional 2,005 tickets were made available on Wednesday.

Salford-born Holden grew up as a Manchester United fan and has talked previously about travelling up and down the country following their fortunes in his younger years.

“My boy sent me a message yesterday that he’d seen on the club’s Instagram account,” said the Charlton manager. “He sent it across to me when I was walking back across to my house. I was really heartened by seeing that. It shows the size of this football club.

“I’m not surprised, in one sense, because it is a club that has got fantastic history and I’m sure the supporters are really looking forward to going up there.

“What does surprise me is the amount, because there are no trains coming back after the game. People are looking at probably two days off work or two days off school, that is really incredible at this time – just after Christmas and finances are low. The country is not in a great place, let’s just say that without getting too political, so that is one incredible achievement by the supporters.

“We have got to go there now and make sure we really give them something to shout about. That’s what we’ll be aiming to do.

“I like moments like that, because it really shows the club in its best light. Players and staff, and I’m not just talking about football staff, but ones from the stadium and training ground will be up there. There are coaches going. All the supporters can pull together in the name of Charlton Athletic and show what this club is all about.

“When it comes about it will be brilliant.”