THE chance to see one of the greatest football teams in the world play Real Madrid was too tempting for hundreds of die-hard Cherries fans, who queued through the night at Dean Court to secure tickets for the season's hottest match.

Some families queued in relays, taking turns to sit through the night, others made a snap decision to join the queue's end this morning, which snaked through the Dean Court car-park.

All the currently available tickets had been sold by 2.30pm, but it is believed more may be available next week if the under-construction South Stand is completed.

First arrivals were the hardy Carter family, who had come in force from Boscombe and Southbourne.

“We arrived at 5.45pm,” said Graham Carter. “We brought our garden chairs and some warm clothes and then ordered a pizza which they kindly delivered to us here. We also had a football which we were playing with earlier but there are too many people here now.”

Dad, Mike, said the family were lifelong Cherries fans. “I know the tickets are expensive but I think, for what we're going to see, they are good value; £60 for us and £30 for the kids. How often do you get to see Real Madrid?”

Graham believes the match will be fantastic for the club he has supported since he was a child. “It's been quite cold here and we didn't really get any sleep but I don't care about any of that, it will be worth it to see Bournemouth beat Real!”

James Stratford, Ollie Scott and Ben Harvey arrived at 1am. They remembered to bring chairs but only had one sleeping bag between them. “I suppose we should have been more organised,” said Ollie, who was preparing to go on to his job at Liverpool Victoria.

Student Ben said they had been surprised to see so many people at such an early hour. “But there was a really good atmosphere and it wasn't a really cold night, which helped.”

All three were hoping to get tickets as near to the pitch-side as possible. “It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Ollie. “I suppose we all want to see Ronaldo but the chance to see one of the greatest football teams in your own town is brilliant.”

Further along the queue Alex Moneypenny was waiting with his friends who arrived at 4am “To be honest we just want to see Real Madrid,” he confessed. “We didn't want to lose the opportunity to see them in our home town.”