WOW it was 5.00 in the morning and I was sitting in a Dublin taxi on my way to the airport. I had been invited to attend this year's FA Cup final at Wembley stadium, on 30th of May 2009. Not the old Wembley of course, but the new one, the one that was opened in March 2007 - a few months delayed.
What's even more amazing was that Chelsea was playing in the final - the team I've supported for years - against a great team that has done really well in the FA Cup over the years, and that was Everton.
The New Wembley is absolutely amazing. What is even more amazing is that it is erected within what looks like a residential area, within London. How the local community could allow this I do not know, but there it is.
The Arch the has been build over the stadium rises over 140 meters from the ground. You can see it for miles - if it wasn't for the buildings surrounding it. But, as soon as you get off at the Wembley tube station, and goes out the front, it is directly in front of you. It is only when you start walking towards it that you realise how gigantic it is - it rises up as a towering (no, not inferno like the movie) structure, until you a small ant in front of the huge facade.
- Outside the Wembley main entrance is the bronze statue of the legend Bobby Moore.
Inside is just as spectacular. Fantastic service, easy to find your way around, huge class windows and friendly staff all over. One simply doesn't feel that you are in a place that can hold 80000 screaming supporters.
Now, this was not some standard ticket I had, but it was a VIP ticket, full day event.
Agenda for the day
11:45 Arrive at Wembley Stadium
12:00 Champagne reception in the Private Box
13:00 Three course lunch with fine wines.
15:00 Match Kick Off with complimentary bar throughout the game
15:45 Half-time refreshments
16:45 Post match refreshments
18:15 Club Wembley Closes
This is the only way to watch the FA Cup final live; beautiful dinner, free bar and your own seat just outside your booth.
The game was intense and Everton scored the fastest goal in FA Cup history, within 25 seconds. I have to admit, I was very nervous that Everton would actually beat the mighty Blues. But, that was all within the first minute. Thereafter it was all Chelsea - more or less. Everton tried a few times, but couldn't make anything of their chances.
Chelsea on the other hand wanted to thank Guus Hiddink for his achievement and went on to score twice; Lampard and Drogba.
Watching a game, in Wembley, along side 80000 screaming Everton and Chelsea supporters, is an experience that you simply can describe. You get carried away with the atmosphere and can't help but screaming, booing, closing your eyes and raising your arms of joy. The hairs on your arms rises when the fans sing and cheer their teams. When it is all over, you just stand there staring and smiling at the pitch, wondering what just happened.
Then you realise you just had an absolutely awesome (sorry!) experience that no one will fully understand, no matter how hard you try to explain it.
After the game, we had a few more drinks and then it was back to Dublin. I did this trip in the same day, flying out at 6.40 (at the airport at 5.00) and returning at 21.15 (back in my house at 23.30). It had been a really long day, but worth it.
