Here we go folks got my reply- make of it what you will but to me it is all about Money and reading between the lines the replenishing of funds for their wasting of monies on the ' New Wembley'. At least they replied anyway Thinking of a reply at moment but will just hang fire for the minute - have been trying to get on the MU Board (Red issue) but waiting for access at minute - also posted on Geordie board At least they replied anyway Dear Supporter, Many thanks for contacting The Football Association. We appreciate there are arguments for and against any venue we use for the semi-finals in terms of capacity, accessibility, neutrality and location. Over the last few years the decision on semi-final venues has consistently attracted criticism, even though these are the ones now being touted in many of your e-mails as the preferred venues (Villa Park and Old Trafford) Travel time to and from games has been a major cause of complaint for both these venues so it is not something that is exclusive to the Millennium Stadium. We based our decision on the following; -With a capacity of 74,525, it is significantly larger than both Villa Park (42,602) and Old Trafford (68,210) which have hosted the Semi-Finals in recent years. -The Millennium Stadium and Cardiff's ability to stage games of this size. Cardiff has also proved to be a very popular venue for fans in the past -Revenue generated due to the fact that at least 30,000 extra fans will be able to attend these games. It's an unavoidable fact that as the major funding body in football we have a responsibility to the long term future of the game, this future needs funding. What should be highlighted is that The FA is a not for profit organisation and has invested over £150 million in grass roots football over the last three years. We appreciate that like the Millennium Stadium, there are arguments for any of the venues mentioned in the e-mails fans have sent through. Nevertheless, the decisions on venues always attract criticism from certain quarters as it's impossible to pick a venue that perfectly matches the needs of the various stakeholders in an FA Cup Semi-Final. We fully appreciate your comments and your concerns and these will be circulated to the relevant decision makers in this organisation. Thank you for taking the time to write. Yours sincerely, Jonathan Arana Senior Customer Relations Manager The FA

Think the Geordies will have a shorter one whatever the circumstances

There is no way Arsenal and Rovers fans would be clear of the city before the Utds arrive. Absolute rubbish and the potential for more chaos. Possible Paul but you never know with the FA. I agree and who is to say many wouldn't be staying anyway - in addition the likelihood is they would probably all be arriving earlier anyway to sample the atmosphere. Wherever the information is from there must hav e been some rumblings somewhere as this is also on the Arsenal World MB

WTF is going on?????????????????????????????????? SEMI FINAL

I'll believe it when it's on the FA's web-site. Channel 4 may just be saying that because we were drawn out first. Its possible, my better half said to me it had said we where playing on Saturday on the ews but she couldn't remember which. However, on Radio Lancs last night, a BBC spokesman said a decision will not be made until later this week nad is all dependent upon Newcastle and their involvement in the UEFA Cup. To me this reads, that they definitely had MU pencilled in for the Saturday game, otherwise why wait and just do as normal where whoever plays in Europe plays on the Sunday. Anybody have any link for the Mu representative - tempted to send him a mail in agreement and my feelings. As for getting out of Cardiff - we did the same except we caught the train in from Newport which is excellent getting in - but a nightmare after the match.

paddyk - What's your opinion of the Semi's being at Cardiff?

And here's the reply the FA would give if they were actually being honest... Dear CAPTAIN KAYOS, Thank you very much for your e-mail. You are absolutely right that consideration for the supporters is the last thing in on our mind. Why should the supporters be a priority? We have taken the decision after it became clear that 75,000 fans at the Millenium Stadium would bring in significantly more revenue for us. The four clubs take 65% of the money, and the FA takes a large chunk of the rest. To hold the Newcastle/Manchester United game at the City Of Manchester Stadium, for example, which holds 48,000, and the Rovers/Arsenal game at Villa Park - which holds 42,000 and is a more central location between Blackburn and Arsenal - would not have brought us enough revenue. You're absolutely right that playing the games in Cardiff will lead to increased congestion and strains on the public transport system. But we don't really care about that. It's not our problem. You're right as well that we can change kick-off times, venues and dates whenever it suits us. We usually do that with little consideration for the supporters. On this occasion, it suits the FA to hold both games in the Millenium Stadium. We couldn't care less about FA Cup tradition and the fact that semi-finals should be held on a neutral English venue which is different from the final. Our only consideration is ourselves. I'm sure you'll be aware that the FA has a large amount of expenditure. There's Sven's £4m a year wages. Brain Barwick, the FA Chief Executive also earns a lucrative salary. Then there's the hospitality, champagne and smoked salmon sandwiches that we require for dining guests in London and the luxury first class air travel that we need for foreign trips abroad. (Usually staying at five star hotels.) I'm sure you'll appreciate CAPTAIN KAYOS that all this costs money. The fact that we can boost our coffers by holding the semi-finals at Cardiff suits the FA perfectly. We don't give a damn about supporters. But thank you for your e-mail anyway. Yours, THE FA. Exactly what I think they will reply AESF Coming around to it - it was a bit off the cuff even though I have had the feelings ever since they had the first semis at Wembley - as with most things you tend not to do anything until it affects you directly. At least if I'm not the only one it might jerk the jerks to think about future semi's. Here's hoping Anyway roll on the Arse ....

Eh? Could only have drawn 2 other teams who would have been just as hard and IMO are harder to beat. Personally , I feel Arsenal could be there for the taking especially with the way we are playing at the moment. Saturday should give us a fair reflection hopefully.

Maybe SAR but I hope I'm not the only one expressing my disappointment and at the end of the day it needs to be told how it is

We won simple as - but god was it crap!! There's one thing for certain though , we need to improve ten fold for the SF or this is the end of of our stumble to the Final.

FA Glanva posted earlier

Well, I've done my bit for what its worth - just mailed the FA "FA CUP SEMI FINALS 16/17 APRIL 2005 - CARDIFF MILLENIUM STADIUM. Dear Sirs I write as a Blackburn Rovers supporter with regards to the staging of the Semi Finals of the FA Cup in Cardiff. It would appear that consideration for the supporters has yet again been totally dismissed in the decision to hold the games at this venue. There are three Northern teams left in the competition, all of which have to travel down to Cardiff for the same weekend thus increasing congestion, puts strain on the public transport system and surrounding roads in and out off Cardiff and also raising the potential for crowd/public problems due to rivalry of the clubs involved thus increasing the strain on the Police. As you can see from a supporter’s viewpoint this on the whole, appears to have been a badly managed decision and one where the potential problems have not been accounted for. In addition to this, the Sunday game is at an inconvenient time for all fans considering the problems of getting into and away from Cardiff ( as Blackburn Rovers supporter I speak from experience of these problems) and the following Monday being a working/school day for most unless a personal holiday is taken. Add this to the expense of getting there and all this adds up into a very expensive and long day if accommodation cannot be found or afforded, dependent upon which day you attend (especially if your team loses) Proud tradition has given this Cup competition the esteem it is held in, and that makes it arguably the best cup competition in the World ; yet it would appear to many a fan, that it is being degraded yet again to the whim of the FA and taking away the uniqueness of the Final. The Final Premiership fixture list ( # 10games) has recently been changed to a different day - albeit only 24 hours - but I ask the question if this can be done, why can’t there be a rethink and consideration given to the rearrangement of the Semi Finals ( # 2 games)? There are grounds more convenient and traditionally used eg Villa Park/Hillsborough/Old Trafford/Anfield which are/or still well equipped to stage such games as these and have adequate capacities? On a final note, in addition I feel consideration should also be given to the proposal that future Semi-Finals being held at the ‘New Wembley’ should be reconsidered for the same reason and held away at alternative venues. I look forward to your reply and comments"

I dont think they will be Philip, the will simply get additional tickets. The FA has absolute discretion of allocations in the semi's and final. Dont be surprised if we get 20,000 tickets compared to the 45,000 of United. Correct Stuwilky, and they tend to base it on the the average crowd at your home games. Funny thing is , we will probably be allocated more tickets for the Semi than the final should we progress. As with Gav.... my dreams have been fulfilled - just totally ###### off with the semis being at Cardiff. And who says its too late - there's another month yet til the games are played - as I have said before - they have just changed the full schedule of Premier games - so why can they not change the 1 or 2 games? And as per Scotty I don't think there is any doubt we will be on the Sunday game unless we draw MU Time to hammer the e-mail address from earlier - alternatively we could all boycott it

.....Just out of interest, Has anybody actually approached the club about this?? I`d be all for a standing section. They certainly have Cletus - try StuWilky - also in the process myself of sending another mail (keep forgetting). Just for information - for those signed up to the campaign you tend to be advised of what is going on , discussions etc - I have just received a copy of the report re the last meeting with the Football Licensing Authority which makes interesting reading and available via the site - very noticeable is the lack of back up factsand information from the FLA etc and reluctance that helps sustains their argument against the proposals set by SUSD - in addition there would appear to be the fear factor from the clubs to stick their necks out even though some would appear to back the proposals. All I say to people is what would you rather have - the morgue like yesterday and other games or the full thunder of the derby games against our neighbours down the M65?

Yep .... still on sale Well this 'll flummax you all Rovers 4 v Speedie haters 1 Feel more confident about this than I did with the Burnley game

Misquote Bryan The Government hasn't got a clue about anything Simple as Al , if you find it boring don't bother reading and spouting your defeatist thoughts zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....................

No it hasn't AL We have no influence with the powers that be whatsoever. Not if people don't make a stand (pardon the pun) and air opinions and views. This Campaign is to make people aware that there are certain groups at least trying to bring something back to the game that is clearly missed - by constantly updating on the situation at least people get an understanding what the problems are and if any progression is being made or whether it is a closed book. The Government is not giving up on its terroism 'laws' even though it keeps getting rejected by the Lords - eventually they will get their way - no reason why the fans can't get theirs on this issue.

No it hasn't AL It is quite clear from responses posted on this MB and others that people are automatically reading into things, and thinking that what people are campaigning for is to bring standing back completely. What is not happening is the authorities to which very good workable safe ideas/concepts have been proposed and reported for and against arguments are being totally cast aside the without looking into the matter of what I would say 50% of football supporters are wanting back - safe areas where people can stand. I repeat - SAFE AREAS where people can, if they want to stand up without hassle from other fans, stewards, police etc This is not meaning, bring back terracing which so many people appear to be reading into the campaign without listening to or reading the proposals and research that have gone into it by the people involved.

I just dont like him. I think he's arrogant, and he was always pretty good against Rovers. Dislike for a footballer doesnt have to be rational, its usually based on their performances or behaviour against your team. Which is why I hate Henrik Larsson too. Agreed T4E but then again alot of the better players tend to be arrogant. In addition, I have a beef with him after he bagged two against us playing for Millwall just before he left them and shoved the V's at the Rovers fans down at Cold Blow

European Cup. Agree. This knockout stage is how the old European Cup used to be in every round: exciting cup football played by the champion team of each country (not the top 3/4 in each league). European Cup nights were always big nights, eagerly awaited occasions with huge crowds. Now ManU v Juventus or whoever is so commonplace no one cares. A case of familiarity breeding contempt. The Champions League is one of the principal reasons why football is going down the drain. It is responsible for: 1. The reduced status of international football. Top players are knackered at the finals of the World Cup and European Championships resulting in triumphs by well-organised nonentitities such as Greece. In addition, England friendly internationals, hitherto seen as an honour for the players chosen to represent their country, are regarded as "meaningless" because top players are too tired/injured to take part. 2. The reduce status of the great institution of English football, the FA Cup (viz CL teams fielding virtual reserve teams) 3. The reduced status of the Uefa Cup, Europe's No 2 club competition and formerly considered harder to win than the European Cup. 4. The demise of the European Cup Winners Cup, an excellent competition axed to make way for the CL. 5. As Kevin Keegan said, a boring Premiership in which the top 3/4 teams always dominate with the rest seeking to avoid relegation by playing dull safety first football in which the principal object is not to lose and the promoted teams know they are virtually certain to go back down again. 6. As Paul mentioned, the concentration of even more money and power in the hands of Europe's top clubs, leading to the G14 cartel who are virtually running the European game for their own selfish benefits. 7. Boring saturation CL coverage on television, turning fans off football in general. The Champions League is the worst thing to happen to football in the past 50 years, worse even than the abolition of the maximum wage in the early 1960s. It, and television, will ruin the professional game in the long term. Grooby for Jim Yikes... that has got to have been your best ever post Jimbo Watch all the bricks fly in my direction now!! Champions league - boring predictable mini league football for the rich Elite of Europe to line their pokets even more

Funny how the report there they seem to think they edged it against the dingles- whilst our neighbours down the road thought they did and according to Cotterill on Radio Lancs had enough chances to win 6 games in a row

Christ its is first game back in how long ...... ther's bound to be time for improvement but he needs to be given the chance - let him blow the cobwebs of first. Bert has been doing that for the past two seasons and you still have people trying to defend him. Give Stead his dues, we have already seen he can score goals at this level - so with a couple of games his confidence should be improved and we should see the Stead most of us feel he is capable of being. Totall galls me, when you have a youngster who has come up from a lower league and been messed about in terms of confidence and lack of chances and lost his partner up front and people have a go - yet we have a supposed international who has played at top level, has had two seasons of continuous spells in the team and is still crap and people continue to say he needs time... it beggars belief.

Still haven't found anywhere in Europe that sells Eagles yerseys. Try Crystal Palace Club shop

As per many others not many goals in this match - can't see us posing their defence any problems with our non attacking frontline and we are always liable to concede at least 1 due to our tendency to sit back even when we are on top. If Everton play like they did against Villa we are in for a rough ride ( although TV might be deceiving) So not being one of the many who can't see how poor we are and being duped by blue n white tinted glasses, then can't see past 0 v 0 or 1 v 0 to Everton Hard to beat but never look comfortable enough to win games with a non attacking frontline (exception MGP) .

Also, were your 'boys' wearing gloves? Some of the ones in the 'escort from town' where - but then again it could have been mittens being a cold night n all