We have about 4 categories that you have to get past, they used to publish the results of the ballots and how many applied, for the bigger games there were as many as 15,000 who used to apply, first of all you have the execs who get first dibs and seeing as they pay up to £250k a season for boxes I have never begrudged them that privilege but these are the ones you can get your hands on easiest from people you know. Then there are the loyalty pot of which I was once a member, these are the ones that have applied for every away game since the war !! United don’t like this group and the numbers are dwindling every year. Then there are the majority, the season ticket holders, but as said you have to opt into the league cup, those that do always pray for an away draw. Then the most popular group the sponsors , players and general hangers on. I made use of this once or twice, thanks to assisting Ken Ramsden on a few occasions. I went down to the ticket office office to collect the tickets and there must have been 50 or so envelopes with tickets in. These are ones that get returned the week before the game and go back into the draw.