FA Cup Semi Final - Manchester City 1 - 0 Manchester United

Thanks to a good friend who happened to have the Wembley debenture, I was able to attend the FA Cup Semi final, in the Bobby Moore club area with my 10 year old son. As City fans, given our recent form against United it is fair to say, I approached with a degree of trepidation. My wife dropped us off by Brent Town hall at 4pm and we commenced the walk to Wembley. As we walked down, we saw a huge group of United flats "celebrating" on a green outside some flats. They were in high spirits, drinking lager, letting off flares, singing obscene songs about City and how they were going to stuff them as usual. Then past the pub at the top of the Wembley approach. Again not a City fan in sight. Matt asked "Do you think any City fans are coming?" I reassurred him "Yes, we'll have just as many in the stadium". Again more celebration.

As we walked up Wembley way to the stadium, the City fans started to appear. To me, nothing is better than the feeling of approaching the stadium. The smells of the burger vans, the tense energy, the banter. Wembley has one of the best approaches in the world, it looms large over you. Again the United fans were celebratory, the City fans discernably tenser. The noise from inside the stadium again rose as we approached. One young lad, possibly 12 years old, broke away from the United fans (walking on the left) to abuse a young city fan the same age on the right. The City fan responded with "Piss off you chav" and the United lad disappeared back into the red mob.

We arrived at the Bobby Moore Club entrance. Unlike the rest of the stadium, the Bobby Moore club is a "Neutral Zone" - no team shirts. As such a rather odd atmosphere pervaded. The odd scarf, logo'd T-shirt. I had a pint of Carlsberg, Matt had a medium coke and we shared 10 mini donuts. That set us back £10.80. I really object to the way fans are fleeced at such events. It is truly obscene to blatently rip people off.

Having savoured them in the lounge, we made our way to our seats. We were at the very top of the Bobby Moore club area, back row. Above us was the corporate area. As I looked up, I couldn't believe my eyes, standing right behind me were City legends Gary Owen and Tony Book. I instinctively waved to Gary, who immediately came over and started chatting. Not only was he one of the best footballers of his generation, Gary is a true footballing man and a die hard City fan. When I told him that it was Matt's first derby, he said "Well today you are going to see City beat United at Wembley. You are our lucky mascot". Gary told us that he thought the idea that the fans in the Bobby Moore area were neutral was crazy. He said "how can you be neutral when City play United". Gary, like me clearly couldn't relax. He predicted "This is the day that we beat them and we move on to the next phase at this club".  Suddenly the mystery of where all the City fans were, became clear.Rather than standing in pubs or on grass verges quaffing lager by the gallon, they'd got to the ground early to soak up the atmosphere. Maybe the United fans are jaded by their success, but the party atmosphere in the ground in the City end (flags, inflatable bananas, celebratory songs) marked a huge contrast. Matt commented that the City fans certainly seemed to know how to enjoy themselves.

As the game started, United dominated the early exchanges. Joe Hart saved City when Berbatov was clean through. Ten seconds later, Berbatov, put it over the bar from two yards out. I said to Matt "I think it might be our day". After about 30 minutes, Zabaletta put a great tackle in. That seemed to lift City and they started to play. Barry hit the side netting, Balotelli forced a great save from Van Der Sar. The half ended with City on top.

At half time, Gary Owen, who couldn't sit still came over for another chat. I said "I think we'll do it, possibly two/nil" Gary responded "No, one goal will do it, I think we'll score at around the hour" (proof, if ever it was needed that Gary Owen knows more about football than Rog T). The half started, City came out and started to boss the game. The players had the belief that was lacking in the first half hour. United players were being hassled and harried. On 52  minutes the pressure paid off. Yaya Toure capitalised on a Carrick mistake. Beating Vidic, he put the ball through Van Der Sar's legs. City suddenly seemed to be playing as if they had an extra man. United were hassled and harried and hardly got a look in. The only real scare came when the hassling got  a bit too exhuberant. Nani took a fantastic free kick. Joe Hart showed why he's undisputedly England No 1, tipping the ball onto the post.

On 73 minutes, United went down to 10 men , when a rash Scholes tackle on Zabaleta earned him a red card. I suspect Scholes new the game was up and didn't fancy hanging around till the end. Normally when United are down, the last 10 minutes is  a surge of attacks, wave upon wave. They seemed strangely muted.  When the ref announced 5 mins of extra time, there was a cheer from the Red end, but in truth they'd already started heading for the exit.

When the whistle blew, the City end erupted. Gary Owen vaulted over the barrier from the corporate area to be closer to the real City fans. Passing, we shook hands and he said "See you at the final". We sang Blue Moon and joined in to a Slade track on the PA. The City fans applauded the Team. The Team applauded the fans. I said to Matt "Enjoy this, these moments don't come along too often".

Then we left the Stadium, as we descended the walkway towards Wembley park, a group of middle aged United fans (probably about six people) ran towards the City fans and started fighting. The City fans by and large didn't react, other than to defend themselves. People shouted "Where's the Police" and others shouted "We've won, they can't take it". Suddenly a group of police stormed up. Given that the United fans were not wearing any colours, I've no idea if they got caught. It all seemed rather pathetic. Many City fans had children, and one guy said to me "You''d think at their age they'd know better". Sadly I think some people never will.

As we walked back to the 302 bus stop at Blackbird Hill, we walked past the spot where the United fans had been celebrating earlier, letting off flares. All that remained was a sea of plastic bags, beer cans and other detritus. It seemed to sum up their day. Looking at the forlorn mess, Matt commented to me "Now I know why you don't like Man United fans" - Indeed.

Kit Malthouse and all that is wrong with Britain !

I posted this blog yesterday about Kit Malthouse receiving a ticket, lunch & drinks from the FA, for the Chelsea vs Arsenal FA cup semi final. Kit promptly posted the following response to my comments (see below). My first reaction was to that I respect a man who fights his corner & is prepared to engage in a bit of discussion. I said that if anyone could show that he'd done something useful by going, I'd donate £20 to the charity of his choice. As he's done that, I've just donated £20 to the MPBF (if Kit gets in touch, I'll email the receipt through).

Anyway, having paid my dues, I have to say that I think Kit's response exemplifies much of what is wrong with Great Britain in 2009. This isn't a personal criticism of Kit Malthouse, as if I take his response at face value, he actually did a few useful things for his ticket. Let me explain my concerns.

1. Kit mentions his involvement with Kickz. No problem their, a great scheme. It is good that politicians get involved in these things. He mentions the role Chelsea play in this scheme, again commendable. How can I criticise them? Well I first went to a football match in 1971 at Spurs, with a group of other boys. I was 8 or 9. The oldest boy in the group was 13. We took a 221 bus from Mill Hill & changed at Turnpike Lane. The cost of entry was easily affordable for a group of kids, some of whom were from relatively poor homes. Would such a thing happen with Chelsea's prices today, even if you could pay at the turnstile? Working class kids have been priced out of football. For many young adults the only way to economically watch the Premiership is in a pub. This cannot be right. I've been to the FA cup final once. I'm a Manchester City fan and I queued all night at the old Wembley for a ticket for the replay vs Spurs. No prawn sandwich brigade at that match, it was a real fans final. I hate the corporatisation of football, the empty seats at half time, the fact that people with no links to clubs are given tickets so that "decisionmakers" can be influenced.

2. Kit's comment about sitting next to the head of Football Licensing Authority & discussing a role for them in the Olympics. If this is how Boris Johnson's team are planning the Olympics, lord help us. What would have happened if he'd been sat next to the chairman of The Anne Summers group. What role would they have? It seems that the Olympics are being planned over a few beers on the back of fag packets. Was this really the first time a role for the FLA has been discussed?

3. The comments about the discussions with Wembley about planning issues. I have pretty strong views on a few planning issues. I'd love to have a chat with Kit about these, but I doubt I'll find myself sat next to him at a cup semi final any time soon. It seems a football ticket has given Wembley a bit of access that I am unlikely to get.

4. If the purpose of the visit was to see the control room during a match, this could easily have been arranged & the ticket given to a kid who'd never normally get the chance. Kit may think missing 1/4 of the game is a good thing. I think it's a criminal waste. The last time I went to Wembley was to watch the Man City Vs Gillingham 2nd Div play off final. I took my nephew & it cost me £250. Watched every second & worth every penny.

As to mystery shopping a few Police Officers. I doubt that the VIP enclosure at Wembley is the most challenging of environments. I'd suggest a trip, in fancy dress, down to the next G20 climate camp. I'm a supporter of the police, I play football with a few officers, great guys. I just think the Police should get praised when they do difficult jobs well, not rather easy ones.

As to Kit affording his own "Nosh & Booze", it begs the question, doesn't it? I love football. I spent the weekend at the Bognor Regis Festival of Football Tournament with my son's team, Watling Under 9's. The price of Kit's ticket, nosh & booze would have paid for a couple of the boys who's parents couldn't afford the price of the trip to go.

Don't get me wrong, if Kit rings me up and says "Here Rog, you have my ticket for the final" I'd be there like a shot (yup, you don't turn that down). I'd justify it by saying "I love football and it was a once in a lifetime opportunity" Trouble is, for too many people in positions of influence, it isn't a once in a lifetime experience. It's just another date in a busy diary.

Here's Kit's response in full.

The wonders of google blog alerts and your tempting offer of a charitable donation compel me to respond!

I accepted the offer of a ticket to the match for a few reasons:

1. I was happy to support Chelsea in a crucial match for them. As a team in my constituency they are a really conscientious community participant and they deserve encouragement and recognition. In particular they run an excellent "Kickz" diversion programme for young people (www.kickz.org.uk) - and I was honoured to be invited to launch this scheme for the club last year.

2. I sat next to the Chairman of the Football Licensing Authority who deal with stadium safety and we discussed a role for the FLA in the Olympics - a meeting is being called to discuss this vital work further as a result.

3. I also sat next to the Chairman of Wembley Stadium and discussed various issues around the planning environment. As a result a meeting is now planned with him and the chairman of the FA Lord Triesman to try and move things along around the area.

4. Most importantly for me, the visit meant I was able to see for myself the control room and security in operation during such a huge match, and to attend the half time police briefing (which meant I missed half of the second half). I met the police team in charge on the day and was able to give them my and the Mayor's personal thanks for the great work they do on a voluntary basis.

For what its worth I also "mystery shopped" several police officers during my journey from central London - all were very polite and wearing ID numbers.

For the record, I am a Liverpool supporter and I can afford my own "nosh and booze" thanks.

Payment to the Metropolitan Police Combined Benevolent Fund - you can make it online at:

http://www.charitychoice.co.uk/charitydetails.asp?ref=6871

With gratitude

Kit Malthouse