Blue Roo (Christopher Larwood ) from South Australia reports on his 2018 FA Cup final odyssey.
Travelling with my son Madhuka, he was already in awe of the whole London trip – experience – not a bad 18th birthday present, but the best was yet to come.
A near perfect Spring day for two momentous events in the Capital. Fine, sunny weather saw pubs overflowing with people early on when the sideshow, AKA Royal Wedding took place and many didn’t leave as they settled in for the Main Event – FA Cup Final 2018.
It was time to move given the expected English queuing festival which was also a major football final so it was onto Wembley Central Station. Following the Londoners lead back to Paddington station, the plan then fell apart when the tourists got stuck needing more credit for the train service. A quick top up
The next train was only minutes away and took us to Wembley Central where we followed the crowd and emerged from the station to a concourse teaming with punters, majority carrying several cans of lager for the long 10 minute walk.
Masses of stewards and security but no more than banter between fans outside stadium. The first glimpse of the stadium on our approach sent tingles down the spine – the size, a massive colosseum of football. Climbing the flights of internal stairs to our second level with anticipation building, opening the big doors to enter the arena itself with the breathtaking sight that unfolded as we emerged – a caldron of noise with music blaring, the pitch full of pre match activity, the stadium neatly divided into the most traditional of colours- Chelsea Blue in one half, ManU Red the other. Easily found our seats in Club Wembley 2nd tier which has a no club colours dress code so I was incognito – until Chelsea started singing. Seats near corner flag at the Chelsea end which was a real win as had no control over ticket allocation and could have been uncomfortable to be up close with the Red Mancs. The level of noise overall was massive from the stadium speakers plus both sets of fans. Couldn’t really tell from where we were how much Man U fans put out but Chelsea fans were loud and singing builds from the core up through the multi level stands to a deafening level. Fireworks and prematch were spectacular – the flame throwers are huge and could feel the heat even from our spot.
After 22 years supporting from afar, I was about to watch Chelsea play live for the first time, in the FA Cup Final at Wembley against Manchester United – all thanks to winning an ESPN online competition that got me flights to London from South Australia, accommodation in Kensington and Club Wembley tickets to the match. I was feeling rather lucky – would this luck rub off?
The match itself was tense and nerve shredding – Chelsea started well and after the Hazard penalty goal the response from ManU was predictably wave after wave of attack. Much of the possession was not threatening – all the same the ball being in the Red half made for nervous fans. I was really just waiting for the equaliser, the pressure kept building and minutes ticked by but Chelsea held firm and repelled the continuous attacks. Chelsea had a strong penalty claim denied later and I thought Pogba had scored when free on the penalty spot. The Sanchez offside goal drew a massive roar which quickly faded- we couldn’t tell it was being reviewed but the goal was not put on the scoreboard and no replays of any incidents were shown. 5 minutes of extra time was displayed by the 4th official and I checked my watch – if ManU don’t score, it would all be decided by 19:07 – And so the club formed in 1905, hung on until 19:07 on the 19 05 to win the match and lift the cup.
Our only plan was to meet some Adelaide Chelsea mates at the Torch pub. We had no idea where it was
We didn’t leave the Torch until 10 pm or so. With the daylight stretching well beyond 9, its easy to lose track of time and we were having the time of our lives anyway! The streets back to Wembley Station were strewn with litter from the hordes of supports who had mostly found their way home or elsewhere to continue celebrations. Quite a long journey back to Green Park for the change to Piccadilly line and Earls Court Station. We bid our Adelaide Chelsea mates farewell and they had made the best possible part for 5 week visit to UK. Back into our hotel room it was only 11:30 Saturday night but the day already felt like a week.
As I gathered my thoughts about such a remarkable day, my head was buzzing from enormity of the day, my ears were ringing from the roaring of the crowd, my throat was hoarse from singing, chanting, yelling, my eyes were watching the replay but still not believing I had witnessed this event in person, my heart was soaring that so many of my dreams came true on this day 19 May 2018.
Blue Roo – Bluerist (Chelsea tourist)
May 2018