Less than three days to go now and the excitement is beginning to reach fever pitch.
Sell Out
Quite a surprise that the tickets have all gone!! Pompey appear to have looked after those in the queue very well actually, opening toilets and even arranging for fans to have their picture taken with the FA Cup. Perhaps things are looking up (slowly).
The rules of the game
There will be no replay it will be extra time and penalties. The rumours of a replay at a place difficult to get to because of Public Transport problems, at an inconvenient time to fit in TV schedules, were possibly an April fool. Oh sorry that is first game!!
Tube – Engineering works planned this weekend
Only planned work is the closure of Bank loop on the Northern Line and the only Station closed is Shepherds Bush Central Line. Neither of these should affect your trip to Wembley unless you are taking a strange route. The rumours of a Tube strike are also untrue as the Industrial Action will not start until Sunday.
What it means to me #3
Today’s contribution comes from Pompey4me and takes a different angle from Jimbo yesterday. Over to 4me –
‘I think I have to start by saying that I’ve followed Pompey (like most on this site) through all four divisions. On my KMKY article, I said that I would love to see Pompey playing at Wembley. Well, next Saturday that dream is going to come true. This day is going to eclipse the Semi’s that we all went to in ’92 at Highbury and Villa Park, because it’s at Wembley. But, that’s where I have a big split opinion about the Semi’s being at Wembley. Surely only the showcase, the final should be there, are playing the Semi’s there not taking away some of the magic? I think so, but hey, they are there, and I am going to see Pompey play at Wembley.
Did I ever think I’d see Pompey playing here? Well, before the last few seasons in the Premier League, the answer would have been no but we are most definitely making big strides to become an established top ten team, so now it goes with that territory. Most of you know I go to Fratton Park with my wife and two sons. They have been season ticket holders for the last two seasons, and as such they think it’s perfectly normal to see the big four coming to town every year, how different to when my Dad used to take me, we seemed to be playing Shrewsbury Town at home every week! Without sounding too much like ‘arry, we would always be playing the likes of Grimsby and Hull. So, to my kids, the fact we’re off to Wembley is no big deal, we’ve been before to watch England, (it’s a magnificent venue) and they are excited to be seeing Pompey there, but not as awestruck as I am. To be able to take my family to Fratton Park for the last two seasons has been fantastic; to be able to take them to Wembley to watch them play is an honour. For that I thank Sacha Gaydamak and his team, Harry Redknapp, and all the fans for making each trip to watch the Blue Army play so memorable, and especially the on-line community that is Vital Pompey.
It’s been frustrating getting tickets and hoping that all your deserving friends and family get there, and I think that has taken some of the gloss off the game at the moment but I’m sure that the momentum is going to build this week, into an emotional time for me at Wembley. Do they play the national anthem for the Semi’s? I think that is a moment to unite the crowd, and always makes my hair stand on end. I sincerely hope we are going to enhance our reputation as the loudest fans in the league at the Semi. The loudest rendition ever of the Pompey chimes may just bring a tear to my eye.
Without putting a jinx on it, I honestly believe that we will be making 2 more trips to Wembley yet before the start of the new season.’
Thanks Pompey4me (or Simon to the rest of us). There is of course nothing wrong with Shrewsbury Town and no, I don’t think they will play the Anthem at Wembley well except the Chimes of course – the oldest football song in the world!
I am still waiting for a couple of regulars to send in their contributions if not the Toast will write them for you!!
Injury problems
It appears that the report in yesterday’s Toast about Utaka and Herman may have been premature. The injuries could yet rule both out of the Wembley date which would be very disappointing particularly for Hreidarsson who has given 100% all season and deserves to play. Fingers crossed for both of them.
Weather
The weather at the moment is fine but the break down is coming on Saturday and it looks like it will be Colder and Showery..Lovely!!
See you Friday for the final Semi Final slice of Toast. Now where are the Valium? Chix has had all the Stella so what is there to drink? Need to get this Vital office better stocked for days like this……..
Written by eastneydave.
The views within this article are the views of the individual who wrote and submitted this piece, sometimes solely theirs. They are not necessarily shared by the Vital Pompey Site Journalists.
