400 Hammers to make Malta trip

West Ham have sold  just 400 of the 3,000 away tickets allocated for the second round Europa League tie against Birkirkara FC this Thursday.  Tickets were priced at £32 (€45) each for the Millennium stand within the Maltese National Stadium which has a capacity of 18,000.

The cost of direct flights up to £400 and further expenses of hotels at up to £100 per night are thought to have put many West Ham fans off making the four hour flight to the island in the med just south of Italy.

Home supporters will pay between €10 (£7) and €30 (£21) for their tickets for the match and Birkirkara will be offering free transport to their supporters from their clubhouse, the Infetti Training Centre, Duke of Connaught’s Own Band Club, Santa Helena’s Band Club, and from near Maltco outlet in the Birkirara to the national stadium on Thursday night.

The game is due to be screened LIVE by UK sports TV channel Premier Sports on Sky, Virgin, Talk Talk and online.