Never went to the old Wembley, been the new one 3 times, semi and final in 09 and the semi in 12.
The 09 semi as one of the best days of my life. Id been out for my mates 21st the night before, so was rough as hell anyway, and it was so damn hot that day. I just remember being a bag of nerves all day long and feeling like I was going to throw up at any given moment. Blues absolutely everywhere. Even though we had go the train from Wigan and there were a few Mancs on it, I barely saw a United fan all day, we were just everywhere.
That noise when they started playing Z Cars before kick off, Ive never known an atmosphere like it. It was a pretty dire game, but the noise from our end was incredible. I took this picture after the game.
How empty the United end is, the players have long gone, and we're all still there going barmy. Doesnt get any better, since Ive never actually been there to see us win anything...
The final, bloody hell, I thought it was hot the day of the semi! Im pretty sure I got heatstroke on the final day, because I can remember hardly anything! Fortunately, I can remember when Saha scored...what a moment...got myself a nasty big gash and bruise down my leg from all the celebrations. Typical I seem to get my worst goal celebration injuries for goals that it turns out didnt matter! Only other thing I remember was how many Chelsea fans were outside gloating after we lost. I actually couldnt believe it, because we'd stayed fairly late, had watched them pick up the cup, then left when they were celebrating, so basically Chelsea fans had left...while the team were still on the pitch celebrating.
Then there was 2012...what a vile horrible day. The kick off time was horrific, as was actually getting a train down there. We ended up getting a London Midland from Crewe, which takes about 3 hours, but is dirt cheap and wasnt sold out, so we had to get to Crewe at about 5am. Despite us and Liverpool being a set of rivals who can actually share a drink with each other without fighting, the pubs around Wembley were stupidly strict, refused to let us mix, charging people to get in, and confiscating beer bought in off licenses, so the atmosphere of the day was awful too. Then once we got in, the nerves were too much. I knew exactly what was coming, so had already resigned myself to getting beat so it wouldnt hurt when it happened. Then Jevalic scored to get me all hopeful didnt he? Then we were so comfortably in control werent we, so Im there dreaming of the final. Then Distin struck. Then that utter donkey scoring with his tail at the death...worst day of my life. And then a 3 hour train journey on a train full of them just to get back to Crewe. I was supposed to be going the pub with my mates that night, none of them interested in football, but one of them had a boyfriend who was a red. I texted a mate and told them I wouldnt be coming out, and she asked why. I pointed out that the mate with the Kopite boyfriend was the ultimate bandwagon jumper and despite the fact she knows nothing about football, she would think it accceptable to latch onto that and goad me and Id end up punching her in the face. The friend Id texted messaged me later that night to tell me that she'd asked where I was and they were hoping to have a laugh at me, so I guess I was right!
Kopite behaviour...
I also went in 2013 when Wigan beat Man City. Front row of the top tier, and right behind Ben Watson's header...amazing moment. So interesting that Ive already seen Martinez, Kone, McCarthy and Robles lift a Cup at Wembley!
