FA Cup semi finals at Wembley

[TyphooToffee]

OK, I know it means a Wembley appearance, and all that goes with it, but I think having the semi finals at Wembley diminishes what already is a sad comparison to the old days. Remember, it was only because Spurs were playing Arsenal that their semi final was played there. OK, it was handy for both teams' fans, but it set a precedent and now teams from as far afied as Newcastle (lol) have to travel all the way back home after a loss and, quite frankly, it's unfair despite the excitement of the fans when they reach the semi final.

I should point out that Wembley is just down the road from me so it's no hardship, but the song "We're on our way to Wembley" should not be sung by Evertonians after the quarter final at Goodison Park, it should be sung at Villa Park (even if it is the home of a Championship club) or Old Trafford.

What does the panel think?

 

[hibbo'sclass]

Thinking about it from the allocation perspective, I believe we're getting about 32k. The only that could match that would be Old Trafford or Cardiff, so it's a no-brainer for me on the basis of accessibility to tickets. Travel's a pain in the arse though.

 

[Bilko]

Old fashioned me , Wembley for finals and internationals

 

[Deleted member 28206]

It's absolutely crap, and makes it even worse when the the inevitable loss happens.

£££££

 

[TyphooToffee]

I wonder who voted yes?

 

[The Esk]

It's a big no from me for a number of reasons. Primarily because it dilutes the final experience, also because semi finals at traditional venues, albeit with reduced capacity is just part of footballing heritage, and finally the only reason the SFs are at Wembley is to help service the enormous cost of Wembley stadium itself - a monumentally poorly managed project by the FA.

 

[rascal]

 

[Donald Twain]

The yes voter should be booted all the way down Everton valley, never to return.

 

[Donald Twain]

View attachment 19740

 

[The Cowboy]

It's a big no from me for a number of reasons. Primarily because it dilutes the final experience, also because semi finals at traditional venues, albeit with reduced capacity is just part of footballing heritage, and finally the only reason the SFs are at Wembley is to help service the enormous cost of Wembley stadium itself - a monumentally poorly managed project by the FA.

Pretty much it really. Thoroughly diminishes the 'Wembley experience', and causes a huge travel headache for non London clubs. Almost feels like the semi has become a final in itself due to being held at Wembley, which is completely wrong.

 

[Norwegian Cow]

only the final should be played at wembley.

 

[Khalekan]

What gets me us the ticket allocation.

I thought, stupidly, that the main argument in favour of having them at Wembley would be that the fans of each team would divide the tickets almost 100% between themselves.

Instead we are receiving 31,500.

That will be 63,000 tickets between us and Hammers or Mancs.

In a stadium which holds 90,000.

They could easily give the clubs an extra 10,000 tickets each and let 8000 go to hangers on, if they must.

The Final might be be a day for the "football family" but the semi finals are all about the partisan fans.

So from that point of view I would welcome a return to playing them at neutral club venues.

The fans derive no benefit from playing them at Wembley.

 

[toffeejack]

i've always liked the idea of having both semis or possibly the league cup final at the millenium stadium ... partly because i'm welsh. but it filled in well for wembley (sadly the RS were there on a regular basis which partly makes it ok to not host games anymore), it's another neutral ground not used by any club teams with a large capacity. Of course this means another stadium in the south which would be viewed as a negative.

virtually nobody agrees that the semis should be at wembley - it's a decision purely for financial reasons and not thinking of the fans.

 

[hibbo'sclass]

The yes voter should be booted all the way down Everton valley, never to return.

I disagree with your opinion so you threaten physical violence and being ostracised.
Don't understand. Explain please.

 

[toffeejack]

What gets me us the ticket allocation.

I thought, stupidly, that the main argument in favour of having them at Wembley would be that the fans of each team would divide the tickets almost 100% between themselves.

Instead we are receiving 31,500.

That will be 63,000 tickets between us and Hammers or Mancs.

In a stadium which holds 90,000.

They could easily give the club's an extra 10,000 tickets each and let 8000 go to hangers on, if they must.

The Final might be be a day for the "football family" but the semi finals are all about the partisan fans.

So from that point of view I would welcome a return to playing them at neutral club venues.

The fans derive no benefit from playing them at Wembley.

it's because the remainder are reserved for season ticket holders i believe - though they rarely turn up. it's basically rich people who can afford to throw their money away.