A football-mad family will be able to see a crucial match - thanks to This Is Essex partner paper the Gazette.

Matthew and Josie Sheppard, of Anchor Road, Clacton, contacted the Gazette in desperation after they found out digital satellite equipment needed to watch the match tonight between AIK and Arsenal would not be installed for another month.

The couple originally ordered the digital package from Sky on August 9 but were told there would be a wait of five weeks.

Mrs Sheppard said: "We were told it would be installed on Monday then we got a phone call telling us we would have to wait another month.

"My husband was offered tickets but turned them down because he thought he could watch it at home."

She said her six-year-old son Jack, a keen Arsenal fan, was very disappointed when told he would not be able to see the Champions League match.

Mrs Sheppard added that her two other children Billy, four, and Vicky, three, were also big Arsenal fans.

After being contacted by the Gazette, Sky said it would be sending engineers today to install the necessary equipment in time for the match.

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