Following a purchasing window for Jets Members, around 10,000 public tickets went on sale yesterday morning for the Saturday November 27 clash.

Prices for a family on the “Picnic Hill” are set at $30 while general admission on the Hill is at $50. At the other end of the scale premium tickets are going for $175.

And in further good news, the damaged EA stadium surface is set to rival the pristine pitch at Melbourne’s AAMI Park.

Hunter Venues, through the assistance of the NSW Government, have begun replacing 4200m2 of the stadium turf extensively damaged after a SuperX event on October 16.

EA Stadium is taking this opportunity to invest in a special sports turf call StaLok. This is the same turf used at Melbourne’s AAMI Park and they say it will allow for a quick turnaround from laying to playing through incorporation of UV resistant fibres within the profile beneath the turf.

StaLok also provides additional load bearing capacity to the surface with stadium bosses boasting the ground will be ready for the Jets’ home game on November 13.

“The focus for this project has been to achieve a result that caters to the busy schedule at the Stadium over the coming months, and guaranteeing the safety of all who play on the surface. Our expert advice suggests that once laid, the surface will be suitable for play within a couple of days,” said Hunter Venues Chairman, Ted Atchison.

It all points to a very special night in the rich history of football in the Hunter. And if there’s one person who knows what is about to hit, it’s Newcastle-born former Sydney FC defender Robbie Middleby.

The now retired footballer lined-up against Beckham’s LA Galaxy in late 2007 in front of over 80,000 fans at Sydney’s ANZ stadium.

The A-League team won 5-3 in an entertaining encounter. Aside from the goals – including a stunning free-kick from the England midfielder that bust Clint Bolton's net - many remember the game for a Middleby hip and shoulder which resulted in the England superstar breaking a rib.

The subsequent on-field spat between the pair followed by hugs also made headlines.

Middleby  – now football operations manager at North Queensland Fury – has fond memories of that night. 

“You know what? That first year it happened so many people asked me exactly what he whispered in my ear. It was fabulous but more than that, just to be in that game with the crowd and the atmosphere and with his free kick. I just hope this one is as entertaining as that one," he told au.fourfourtwo.com. 

“It lived up to the everything that it promised to be. It was absolutely incredible - just the hooplah that goes with it. And it wasn’t just the football men it was the women who wanted to be there and get a glimpse of him.

“We did a function the day before the game with the Sydney FC players and all the media and I just remember that day you had all different rugby league players and guys from different sports all lining up just to get a picture with them and David Beckham."

Middleby also paid tribute to the new ownership of the Jets for their efforts to lift the game and club in such a traditional football base.

Middleby added: “Beckham brings so much to the game. He might not be at that level as a player any more but what he can do off the field is absolutely tremendous.

"To bring someone like that out here again is a magic thing.”