FA Cup Final, Wembley - May 2009

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.

In the company of heroes

It was going to be another tough day in the office.  I was required to attend a couple of vendor meetings in London, which meant I had to stay in London overnight - to be ready for an early start.  No point travelling out early in the morning, as it would be too tiring.  Funnily, the trip just happened to coincide with the Chelsea v Cluj Champions League game at the Bridge, Tuesday 9 December 2008.  What a coincidence!

I had never heard of Cluj, but discovered that it was a Romanian football club that miraculously made it to the CL group stages by winning the Romanian football league.  (They are apparently not doing great this season.)

This was going to be my first live football game ever. I mean ever. To see my team Chelsea play at home in the Champions League was an extra added bonus.  To make things better, I was invited to attend the game with private dinner, free bar and reserved seats.

I travelled across the water with the supplier just before lunch and took the train to London city centre.  I have a train phobia. I always freak out when I have to board the train.  What if the doors close on me?  What if I took the wrong train? What if somebody pushes me?  All these thoughts make me weird to be around. My traveling buddy noticed this and moved slowly away from me as I started to convulse.

As always, the train arrived safely at the correct train station and we checked in to the hotel shortly before lunch.  It wasn't cold, despite it being early December, but we still wanted to minimise exposure to the elements. There's no point getting sick on a business trip.  The hotel was, according to the map of London, close to the stadium, so we agreed to walk.  After walking for almost 40 minutes, we dragged our exhausted arses into the nearest cafe and we had lunch.  It just happened to be next to Harrods.

I never understood the fascination with Harrods, but based on the cars parked outside, it was the place to shop.  Some idiot had painted his Aston Martin gold. It looked like his kids had done the painting.

We finally arrived at the stadium. We went straight for a pint.  I had promised my kids some Chelsea gear, so I did my fatherly duties and got them the right stuff - all Chelsea of course. It cost me more than £100.  We made our way to the restaurant and had a nice dinner.  I felt like a complete looser surrounded by hardcore fans, who knew the history and results of Chelsea, better than they knew their own kids I'm sure.  I even had difficulties getting the shirt numbers right for John Terry and Anelka, when buying shirts for the kids.  "8 is Anelka and 4 is Terry, right?" I asked quietly.

Kick-off.  I ran to my seat like a little boy running to a toy shop, pushing everybody aside who were in my way, and I sat down.  I had goose bumps all over. I probably looked like a twat taking pictures of the scoreboard, seats, marching band, scarfs and teams warming up.  Within 15 minutes, the camera was starting to run low on batteries, so I had to use it wisely.  There were only space for another 2000 pictures on the memory card - damn!

The fans started singing and I started crying like a schoolboy.  It was a wonderful and yet strange experience.  When the ref signaled kick-off, the stadium burst into cheers.  Holding back the tears was becoming a problem and I pretended it was cold instead.  The fans were singing aloud and I mimed along (not knowing a single word) and waved my scarf.

Chelsea scored and the place exploded in blue and white colors.  No stopping us now.  But, before half time it was 1-1 and the crowd had started to become quiet.  Drogba came on in second half and scored the winning goal. He was hailed as a hero by the supporters.  It was like watching the gladiators in the Colosseum, fighting for fame and fortune.  Brilliant.

We went to the private bar after the game. I was longing for a beer. I had 4 beers.  The VIP arrangement finished an hour after kick-off, by which time all the spectators had left and we could calmly leave the Bridge behind us.  On the way out, a few of the Chelsea players left the stadium too, driving their huge Range Rovers.  It was a surreal experience to see the players up close. However, I refused to ask for their autograph or take their picture - I'm 36 you know.