Good on you Wheelsey.
If I was in your position I would have done exactly the same.
I've begged, borrowed, blagged my way to tickets before.
Fuck it, it's part of football. there have been lots of games where I haven't qualified for tickets and I've done whatever it takes. Gillingham at Wembley, I got tickets off my dad's mate. They went to people with a certain number of ticket stubs and I got a load together and dished them out to a couple of mates who got tickets. Blackburn 2000, I booked the corporate trip way in advance on a hunch it would be a do or die. Cup final 81 the local priest got me one somehow.
I could go on and on. If I can't get a ticket from City for a big game i'll try to get one from the home team. If it comes to it I'll go to the ground and use a tout.
There's only ever been one game where I ended up missing the game and sitting outside the stadium - the 1-1 OT draw where Brightwell scored.
Its every man for himself when it comes to tickets. If we get to Istanbul I will do anything to get one. If I had to pay thousands I would.
Ignore these idiots, Wheelsey.