FA Semi Final Tickets

[Blue in Munich]

They sent us and Foolham up the M1/M6 to Villa Park in 2002, that seemed daft to me at the time, and still does, should have been Wemberly.

Much as I hate to defend them, they didn't really have a choice as Wembley was a building site for that one; knocked down the old stadium after the 2000 final & the first one at the new stadium was 2007. Let's hope the new Bridge gets built more quickly.

 

[Liverbirdie]

I've always been a disappointment to you, haven't I?

Totally get keeping Wembley special for the final and the relative lack of atmosphere with the prawn sandwich club in the middle tier. The long trek is relative; last "neutral" venue semi I did was at Old Trafford in 2007 v. Blackburn, so a 3+ hour long trek up north and an expensive day out for us, 3 tram stops for Blackburn. Sounds more neutral to me than Villa Park….

I see your point about all the England games at Wembley, but as it's the capital, the national stadium & as a born and bred Londoner I don't see it as an issue in the same way, although as a club before country man, that might have some bearing on my mindset.

Knowing the FA's thinking, if they'd had the opportunity to actually pick a venue rather than it being a done deal at Wembley they'd probably have sent us & Spurs to Old Trafford.

They sent us and Foolham up the M1/M6 to Villa Park in 2002, that seemed daft to me at the time, and still does, should have been Wemberly.

Never understood us going to OT in 2006 against L'pool, hardly a trek for them, that should have been Villa Park, same against Blackburn in 2007!

Since 2008 it's been worse, more so for 2 Midlands or Northern clubs having to travel the same routes south, I appreciate if it's a much smaller club it will be their final as such if the odds are massively against them getting through, but it's not the same as making the final to play at the the National stadium, that should be a prize in its own right, not diluted with semi-finals, it's obviously a cash cow for the FA, IMO.

I'll raise you a Pompey vs Liverpool at Highbury in 1992.....and a 12.30/1.00 clock KO!

I think we all know its never going to be perfect, but it still can be done a lot/little better, and should be looked at for in the future.

Yes it does seem daft sending 2 London clubs up to Villa, and maybe a neutral venue of one of the other London clubs should have been used. Maybe that's on police advice though, as if you had Spurs and Arsenal playing one at Stamford Bridge, I'm sure that the way that most fans travel via tube that it could be mayhem, especially if some of the headshunters (sic), also fancy a dance. It could be like a scene from "the warriors".

Maybe Cardiff would be a decent option, then, with appointed service stations for each fan group.

I still think that overall, the old neutral club ground were great days out and when the prices weren't silly money,either.

With West Ham, Chelsea, Spurs, Tottenham, City, Liverpool, United, Everton, Newcastle soon to have 50-60,000 stadiums then they will also have more options. Not many in the middle though as the post 1966 "elite grounds" that were Sheffield Wed, Villa, Leeds are all well behind in either modernisation or capacity nowadays.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

I'll raise you a Pompey vs Liverpool at Highbury in 1992.....and a 12.30/1.00 clock KO!

I think we all know its never going to be perfect, but it still can be done a lot/little better, and should be looked at for in the future.

Yes it does seem daft sending 2 London clubs up to Villa, and maybe a neutral venue of one of the other London clubs should have been used. Maybe that's on police advice though, as if you had Spurs and Arsenal playing one at Stamford Bridge, I'm sure that the way that most fans travel via tube that it could be mayhem, especially if some of the headshunters (sic), also fancy a dance. It could be like a scene from "the warriors".

Maybe Cardiff would be a decent option, then, with appointed service stations for each fan group.

I still think that overall, the old neutral club ground were great days out and when the prices weren't silly money,either.

With West Ham, Chelsea, Spurs, Tottenham, City, Liverpool, United, Everton, Newcastle soon to have 50-60,000 stadiums then they will also have more options. Not many in the middle though as the post 1966 "elite grounds" that were Sheffield Wed, Villa, Leeds are all well behind in either modernisation or capacity nowadays.

33yrs ago tomorrow, Everton v Southampton at Highbury, really feel old now,

 

[Crazyface]

What a shame Villa are in decline (well maybe not for long), or Birmingham for that matter. If they were in the PL and decided to built a fab new place on a par with Wembley..........that would really stick it to the FA and would open up a brilliant new venue in THE MIDDLE OF THE COUNTRY where the National Stadium should be !!!!

I for one wouldn't attend any football match at Wembley. My team will be there in May and I'm not going on principle.

 

[Fish]

What a shame Villa are in decline (well maybe not for long), or Birmingham for that matter. If they were in the PL and decided to built a fab new place on a par with Wembley..........that would really stick it to the FA and would open up a brilliant new venue in THE MIDDLE OF THE COUNTRY where the National Stadium should be !!!!

I for one wouldn't attend any football match at Wembley. My team will be there in May and I'm not going on principle.

Principle of what, playing at the National Stadium which is obviously in the Capital of the country!

 

[PhilTheFragger]

Been to both the old Wem-ber-ley and the new Wem-ber-ley and although the atmosphere in the old was better, you had loads of concrete pillars obstructing the view. None of that at the new, although sometimes you do seem a bit far from the action.

No problems going there, good transport links, just waiting for Wycombe Wanderers to book another place there
Might have a bit of a wait