[Archived] F.a. Cup Semi Finals

[AllRoverAsia]

Football - not Rovers -has just been screwed by the FA. I don't care who we meet I just wish the FA had handled the draw in a transparent manner. OK it was on TV live - big deal - who was actually there - any Club or impartial reps? or just FA and a cameraman? Why were the numbers not displayed to the camera when drawn? why not shown displayed in the holder after drawn? I'm hopefully not being paranoid but did the balls actually have numbers on them? It was all over in seconds - a magic trick. I emailed ESPNStar Asia and asked them to rerun the draw - or at least look at it and comment. They did acknowledge the email on their Football Focus shown but said they would prefer not to comment on the manner of the 'draw'.

But surely the FA wouldn't trust Clemence to remember 4 numbers even if the were only 1,2,3 and 4 - so it must have been fair.

[gazsimm]

Football - not Rovers -has just been screwed by the FA. I don't care who we meet I just wish the FA had handled the draw in a transparent manner. OK it was on TV live - big deal - who was actually there - any Club or impartial reps? or just FA and a cameraman? Why were the numbers not displayed to the camera when drawn? why not shown displayed in the holder after drawn? I'm hopefully not being paranoid but did the balls actually have numbers on them? It was all over in seconds - a magic trick. I emailed ESPNStar Asia and asked them to rerun the draw - or at least look at it and comment. They did acknowledge the email on their Football Focus shown but said they would prefer not to comment on the manner of the 'draw'.

But surely the FA wouldn't trust Clemence to remember 4 numbers even if the were only 1,2,3 and 4 - so it must have been fair.

we all know it was a fix, we just have to live with it and hope Rovers and Watford get to the final instead of Chelsea FA & Man Utd FA

[Will]

Any person that works for the FA, including county FA's is entitled to 2 tickets to the Cup final. The FA also allocates tickets to all associated members, this includes teams in the much lower levels of the game. This and other associated bodies makes up the football family.

Each year I get 2 tickets to the cup final no matter who is in it. I dont go because the Rovers arent taking part.

There must be thousands of people like me who have 'contacts' that can get them tickets.

Trust me, there will be diablical allocation for the two participating finalists.

[stuwilky]

Any person that works for the FA, including county FA's is entitled to 2 tickets to the Cup final. The FA also allocates tickets to all associated members, this includes teams in the much lower levels of the game. This and other associated bodies makes up the football family.

Each year I get 2 tickets to the cup final no matter who is in it. I dont go because the Rovers arent taking part.

There must be thousands of people like me who have 'contacts' that can get them tickets.

Trust me, there will be diablical allocation for the two participating finalists.

this is almos tthe case - a lot of the football family have to apply into a ballot for tickets

West Hams and Liverpools allocations last season at Cardiff were 24000 each 23500 plus an extra 500.

The allocations will be higher than this (if they are equal!)

[1864roverite]

I think I am right in saying that EON had the same "ambition" to bring supporters back as part of their campiagn when taking over sponsorship of the FA Cup, in that they wanted to see a supporters returning to the game.

This type of poolicy is endorsed by the FA who have also leant their support to the notion of bringing back the game to its grass roots. I think you will see that previous ticket allocations for the "supporters with contacts" are drastically reduced from now on. They were for the League Cup and they will be for the FA Cup and I get mine yearly through the BREWERY contacts of my ife. And they are NO longer available and are one of the biggest investors to the FA Coffers.

[RevidgeBlue]

I can't believe the FA would be so obviously biased as to hold our semi at the Emirates.

Mind you if it's Rovers v Chelski at the Emirates and ManUre v Watford at the COMS we know it's almost as fishy as the draw with balls that quite possibly had no numbers on!.

Looking at this cynically for a moment if the s/f is at Villa Park then the allocations for both that and the final will probably be c 20,000.

Good opportunity to drive season ticket sales for next seaon. Priority to existing ST holders then to new applicants for next season etc etc

[Ronin]

If the semi's are to be held in the Midlands, why not Coventry's Ricoh Arena. Although the traffic could be an issue.

[speeeeeeedie]

Here's my logic for what it's worth. Blackburn is close to the M6, Watford is close to the M1. These teams are already through. The FA know Rovers are playing a London team. The FA know Watford are playing either a Manc team or a North East team.

For Rovers and London based fans a 2 hour trip either way to Brum should be the easiest option.

Watford should drive 2 hours up the M1: Nottingham, Sheffield (iffy), Leeds. Man U drive across the M62, and maybe south a bit.

Easy.

[SAS]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9L00iiNEO8

make what you will

the balls definetly have a white marking on them

also when picking out our opponents he seems to switch from the middle ball to the one on the right

[Ronin]

Definitely would be better to have an automated system, like the lottery as someone had already suggested.

[T4E]

Bring on Cardiff

[vyeo]

we stuffed everton away. we stuffed luton away. we held arsenal away, and knocked them out at home. we beat manchester city.

clearly, its not been an easy ride. but increasingly, i'm getting the feeling that its destiny. as someone had already stated, to get away with that warnock foul at the emirates signals that its our destiny. we're never a club to do things the easy way, so roll on the semis, and i have a quiet confidence that special one or not, we're going to wembley.

[John]

When do we find out the venues, in order to stop this endless debate??

[Roar of the Rover]

If its at The Emirates i'm going to be well ###### off!, i wont able to make it!!!

The lads need us that day as we are going to be the underdogs no matter if its Chelsea or Spurs.

[Roar of the Rover]

we stuffed everton away. we stuffed luton away. we held arsenal away, and knocked them out at home. we beat manchester city.

clearly, its not been an easy ride. but increasingly, i'm getting the feeling that its destiny. as someone had already stated, to get away with that warnock foul at the emirates signals that its our destiny. we're never a club to do things the easy way, so roll on the semis, and i have a quiet confidence that special one or not, we're going to wembley.

I read an article in The Telegraph today, somewhere along the lines of your post, he mentioned Aaron Mokoena's goal which hardly happens, infact when was the last time he had a shot on target before he scored??

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

blackburn v london all stars the emirates stadium

watford v boro or gt britian all stars villa park

Complete shyte Waggy !

[Roost]

nephew works at the fa

Gaz, is that the same nephew that stood with his top off in the ground at Leverkusen whilst doing farts that would make a maggot sick?

That was bad, very bad........................ Perhaps 'works at FA' means 'works at Farting Always' eh?!

[MI ROVER]

Can anybody confirm if the semi finals are decided on the day !! I know in days gone past there were replays but why do I think they have scrapped semi replays. Am I right ?

[Jordan]

Can anybody confirm if the semi finals are decided on the day !! I know in days gone past there were replays but why do I think they have scrapped semi replays. Am I right ?

Yes they are decided on the day. Extra Time and Penalties if required.

[bob fleming]

This seems to make a bit of sense, apparently The Times said yesterday that the semis will be at either Villa Park or Old Trafford. They're waiting to see the outcome of the United v Boro match first though.

If United win then they'll play Watford at Villa Park (I'm guessing here but it might be a bit tricky for the FA to explain away why they have decided Manchester United will play their semi final at Old Trafford). If Boro win then presumably it'll be them and Watford at OT.

[waggy]

trust me boys why do you think the fa will give us the advantage of playing 30 miles away,whilst fc london have to travel 220 miles,annoncement this weekend.

DUE TO POLICE PRESSURE THE FA MUST NAME THE VENUES,

VILLA PARK -WATFORD

EMIRATES -SMALL TOWN IN EUROPE, VERSUS DIRTY MONEY

[Flopsy]

well if it is London, it'll be a disgrace.

Why not play both at Villa Park. The pitch should be able to cope with it

[Manchester Blue]

trust me boys why do you think the fa will give us the advantage of playing 30 miles away,whilst fc london have to travel 220 miles,annoncement this weekend.

DUE TO POLICE PRESSURE THE FA MUST NAME THE VENUES,

VILLA PARK -WATFORD

EMIRATES -SMALL TOWN IN EUROPE, VERSUS DIRTY MONEY

If they have to announce due to police pressure why wait until the weekend? Surely they could wait until Monday as it's only a few days more? Simply doesn't make any sense to have us travel to London. Especially as every paper and other source is saying thre semi's will be at OT and Villa Park.

[BlueMonday]

trust me boys why do you think the fa will give us the advantage of playing 30 miles away,whilst fc london have to travel 220 miles,annoncement this weekend.

DUE TO POLICE PRESSURE THE FA MUST NAME THE VENUES,

VILLA PARK -WATFORD

EMIRATES -SMALL TOWN IN EUROPE, VERSUS DIRTY MONEY

So when will they announce the venues?

This whole thing is starting to stink worse than your nephews farts! Oliver Stone will make a film about this one day.

[stuwilky]

trust me boys why do you think the fa will give us the advantage of playing 30 miles away,whilst fc london have to travel 220 miles,annoncement this weekend.

DUE TO POLICE PRESSURE THE FA MUST NAME THE VENUES,

VILLA PARK -WATFORD

EMIRATES -SMALL TOWN IN EUROPE, VERSUS DIRTY MONEY

If that is the case our match will be the Sunday - in case Spurs get through.