Positives from the Cup Final

[preston28]

Taking my 17 year old son to an FA cup Final to see the Villa play (yes abject performance in the end), sampling the atmosphere, humour & camadarie of ever hopeful Villa fans.

[tommy smart]

Meeting Nigel Sims on an M4 

[tommy smart]

Don't know what I did there, I'll start again !
Meeting Nigel Sims on an M4 motorway service station before the match. I was standing having a smoke and this little old lady, dressed as if she was going to a wedding and also having a cigarette, came up to me and asked if I was going to the match. "Yes" I replied to which she responded, "and I am, along with my husband, you might know him, he played in goal at the 1957 cup final". "Nigel f**king Sims" ? I shouted to her. "Yes that's him, he's on the toilet and will be out in a minute". "Can you ask him to wait while I go and get a camera". "No problem" she replied taking another long drag on her cigarette. I rushed to get my son (who had come over from Australia for the match but that's another story) and his camera. Nigel come striding out of the services,  suited and booted looking magnificent. I took a few photographs and had a fantastic conversation with him the main point being the Villa had invited the last 3 remaining members of that team to watch the game from the Royal box, Peter McParland and Jackie Sewell but Jackie was to poorly to attend. I waved him off and at that moment I knew it was our year !! Little did I know.

[Pat McMahon]

Don't know what I did there, I'll start again !
Meeting Nigel Sims on an M4 motorway service station before the match. I was standing having a smoke and this little old lady, dressed as if she was going to a wedding and also having a cigarette, came up to me and asked if I was going to the match. "Yes" I replied to which she responded, "and I am, along with my husband, you might know him, he played in goal at the 1957 cup final". "Nigel f**king Sims" ? I shouted to her. "Yes that's him, he's on the toilet and will be out in a minute". "Can you ask him to wait while I go and get a camera". "No problem" she replied taking another long drag on her cigarette. I rushed to get my son (who had come over from Australia for the match but that's another story) and his camera. Nigel come striding out of the services,  suited and booted looking magnificent. I took a few photographs and had a fantastic conversation with him the main point being the Villa had invited the last 3 remaining members of that team to watch the game from the Royal box, Peter McParland and Jackie Sewell but Jackie was to poorly to attend. I waved him off and at that moment I knew it was our year !! Little did I know.

Lovely anecdote - I am chuffed for you.

My only positive is that if asked would I do it all again I say yes, because the victories over Albion and Liverpool are my best memories in years. The anticipation and camaraderie pre match were incredible. I hadn't been that excited or nervous in years.

[Legion]

Any chance of sharing the pics?

[tommy smart]

I'm not very IT savvy to say the least so I've asked my son to attach a photograph when he arrives back in Melbourne sometime today once he's recovered from the flight and cup final trauma.

[Lucky Eddie]

Doubled up through the turnstiles so one of mine could join the other two = massive two fingers to the greedy FA and their empty corporate sections.

[Chris Jameson]

I take comfort from the fact that more Villa fans were at the quarters and the semi, and hope that the kids especially remember those days long after they've forgotten about yesterday.

The semi final day was one of my favourite days of being not only a Villa supporter but a parent. I had a fantastic day with my son and seeing him joining in with the songs and the smile on his face at the final whistle will live long in the memory.He said to me on the way home that days like that make it even more special being a Villa supporter because they don't happen very often, as he said it's easy to support Man United,Chelsea, Liverpool etc but you won't get as much enjoyment out of it as we had that day. He kept thanking me for taking him, it was an absolute pleasure!

On Saturday after the game he watched Villa get their medals and then turned the TV off and disappeared to his bedroom for the rest of the evening as he was so upset. Said to my partner that means he really gets what it's like to be a Villa supporter, I think he's so used to them struggling and under performing it's never had much of an effect on him, but this...

[Pat McMahon]

Doubled up through the turnstiles so one of mine could join the other two = massive two fingers to the greedy FA and their empty corporate sections.

Well done that man. Didn't the stewards spot you?

[Dr Butler]

It will be more enjoyable winning it next season than it would have been retaining it.

About a million times more judging by the low key Arsenal fans leaving the ground.

True. I left a couple of minutes before the end (missing the Giroud goal) and there were Arsenal fans on the same train as the Villa heading away from the ground!  Just imagine if Villa had won it!  We'd have probably all still have been there an hour after the trophy had been presented!

I was the same...I was surprised at how many there were leaving...and when I got back to Baker St there were actually Arsenal fans there already.   

UTV
The Doc

[Lucky Eddie]

It will be more enjoyable winning it next season than it would have been retaining it.

About a million times more judging by the low key Arsenal fans leaving the ground.

True. I left a couple of minutes before the end (missing the Giroud goal) and there were Arsenal fans on the same train as the Villa heading away from the ground!  Just imagine if Villa had won it!  We'd have probably all still have been there an hour after the trophy had been presented!

I was the same...I was surprised at how many there were leaving...and when I got back to Baker St there were actually Arsenal fans there already.   

UTV
The Doc

I'd still be there now!

[Lucky Eddie]

Doubled up through the turnstiles so one of mine could join the other two = massive two fingers to the greedy FA and their empty corporate sections.

Well done that man. Didn't the stewards spot you?

Unmanned turnstiles, patience, distraction tactics and a bit of long overdue good luck and they were in.

[cheltenhamlion]

I saved a fortune by being in such an almighty strop I couldn't face the pub after the match so went straight back to my hotel room.

I also got to give a Tarquin on the tube one of the most foul mouthed tirades you will ever hear.

He left on 75 minutes to get to his friends BBQ and didn't want to miss Britain's Got Talent. He is a season ticket holder as well.

[cheltenhamlion]

Oh yes, one positive was us handing over Dave Cooper's surprise ticket on the Friday night. He has had a rough trot recently and that moment where he realised how highly his mates thought of him, coupled with the emotion of what has been going on in his personal life, meant there were quite a few tears.

[ez]

Doubled up through the turnstiles so one of mine could join the other two = massive two fingers to the greedy FA and their empty corporate sections.

Well done that man. Didn't the stewards spot you?

Unmanned turnstiles, patience, distraction tactics and a bit of long overdue good luck and they were in.

Wow. I thought the days of sneaking in were long gone.