The FA Cup with Budweiser Final

[ChrisM]

FA stand by kick-off time | News

 

The FA has defended the evening kick-off for the FA Cup final after suggestions it could leave fans of Manchester City and Wigan stranded.

 

Rail operator Virgin Trains had warned that the nominated 5.15pm kick-off would make it hard for supporters to return from the Wembley final on their services and fans' groups are known to prefer earlier start times.

 

But the FA, who moved the final to the later time for last year's showpiece between Chelsea and Liverpool, does not believe it will cause widespread disruption on May 11.

 

An FA statement read: "In relation to the information announced for the kick-off time of The FA Cup with Budweiser Final, the FA would like to highlight that 5.15pm is a regular kick-off time in the football calendar.

 

"This time was agreed with major stakeholders and broadcasters and has been used across the game for a number of years for televised matches.

 

"In terms of transportation, a small percentage of Cup Final fans use the method of train travel.

 

"Additional coach services which National Express are running, including directly from Wembley Stadium, mean there are more options for fans returning north after the game.

 

"The kick-off time is unchanged from last year and this allows more football fans around the country to watch the Cup Final in its entirety."

 

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Surely a contender for the worst statement of all time.

 

In other words, FUCK YOU, FANS.

[lifetime fan]

They don't give a shit.

 

Why would they?

[xerxes]

Obviously with the increased tv revenue ticket prices will be reduced...............

[fowler9]

why isn't it played after the league season anymore?

[lifetime fan]

why isn't it played after the league season anymore?

 

 

CL final is back at Wembley this year and part of the contract for holding it is that the pitch can't be used for so many weeks before the final.

 

No excuses for every other year though.

[Bjornebye]

CL final is back at Wembley this year and part of the contract for holding it is that the pitch can't be used for so many weeks before the final.

 

No excuses for every other year though.

 

And they complain that the magic of the cup is devalued these days.

 

Fucking twats. It should always be the final game of the season.

 

It's not been the same since them twats down the east-lancs swerved it and fucked off to the world club championship. Get in Flamengo for fucking them bastards.

[Red Banjo]

But it will be the final game every other season. Its just unfortunate that the last 2 years Wembley has had the Champions League final (fuck knows how the FA managed that, brown envelopes?) and they stipulate the pitch cannot be used 2 weeks prior to the event.

 

Next year and for the forseeable, it will be the last game of the season.

 

The KO time is pathetic though. No respect for the travel carnage a cup final brings. But the FA is only interested in London clubs anyway so its not surprise that any club north of Watford is dealt a shit hand. Corrupt, shit twats.

[fowler9]

it was before the end of the season last year as well though?

[Red Banjo]

it was before the end of the season last year as well though?

 

There had to be a 4 week rest period between the end of a domestic season, and the start of Euro 2012. A rule enforced by the FA apparently.

[GUS]

I think in future the KO time might be even later. The Champions League Final was moved from a Wednesday evening to a Saturday evening I wouldn't be surprised if the FA Cup Final ended up kicking off at 7.45pm on a Saturday evening. The TV companies would love that I reckon.

[A_S]

How can they say that a small percentage of fans will be affected when the teams involved are Manchester City and Wigan? Fuck me.

[AngryOfTuebrook]

Wembley is a soulless corporate piss-taking money-hoovering shithole.

 

Virgin trains are just as bad.

 

The FA and the telly companies are soulless corporate cunts.

 

All football fans are mugs and all these bastard vultures circling around them know it and love it.

 

You, me, all of us - we are cunts to these people. We only exist to the extent that we can open our wallets to them.

 

It really is getting harder and harder to try to find some joy in this game.