Cheap hotel alert in Bridgend!!! Both games wont be on the same day, I dont think even the Welsh are that stupid.

Im out at Newport as well. Got a feeling some rooms will be unbooked when they confirm the dates and times though. Im waiting on a friend who works at the Mill Stad to come back to me, apparently they have some kind of meeting today, in advance of the clubs meeting tomorrow.

There is a meetng on Thursday apparently to decide. So we will either know late thursday or, more likely, Friday. Accomodation is filling fast though. Partly because a lot of people are hoplding rooms for two or three nights until we find out.

We are treating as a once in a lifetime experience Gav. It's just that this particular once in a lifetime experience is starting to become a real pain in the arse to get to. We've every right to complain. The fans are just getting shafted over and over again. Where do we draw the line. After saying that I'll be there (I've calmed down a bit since this afternoon ) but I'll still be angry if it's a noon kick-off. You're continual slagging of the "new" fans does nothing to promote the support at Rovers. And you'll be the first to post on here when we get low crowds. Why are you so bitter? Spot on. Wouldnt miss it for the world. But it doesnt take away the fact that to get that far 12noon is a right royal pain in the arse. If its 5.15 or 4 o clock or even god forbid 3pm I'd have no problem, but 12 o clock that far away? Farce. But no doubt I'll be there, might have to bring two small monsters with me, but what a first match that would be!!!

Catch up Jordan, this was all reported yesterday mate!!

That was the original plan modes. However the rumour is ( and in reality that is all the 12 Saturday kick off is) that South Wales police have belatedly chirped up that they dont want 4 sets of fans in cardiff on the same night (ie after the first tie). im not sure how the situation is any different now to when it was first mooted around a year ago, but thats the very unofficial line.

Copy of email sent to the club and to the Competitions Manager at the FA, for what its worth..... Dear Mr Clark RE – Arrangements for FA Cup Semi Finals. 16/17 April 2005 I write to you not only as a Blackburn Rovers season ticket holder, but on behalf of many fans of the four clubs who have reached the semi finals of the worlds Premier cup competition. Recent reports have indicated that one of the matches will kick off at 12noon on Saturday 16 April 2005.Whilst I accept the official line is that no decision has yet been made this does appear to a repeated rumour. I write to implore you to reconsider this decision. If this match is indeed ourselves vs Arsenal it will have a severe impact on fans from both clubs transport arrangements. In order to arrive in Cardiff from Blackburn prior to 12 o clock, there is one train from Blackburn. That departs Blackburn at 7am and via 2 changes, arrives in Cardiff at 11.51. a mere 9 minutes prior to kick off. If the game selected is the Newcastle vs Manchester United match, this will have a bigger impact on my fellow football fans from the North East as well as those from Manchester. The logistics of 140,000 travelling fans arriving in Cardiff from distance was never going to be easy however a 12 o clock kick off time would made travelling from the North of England especially difficult and dangerous I fully accept that the decision to hold these matches at the Millenium Stadium was made prior to knowing which teams would be playing in them, but as around three quarters of the 140,000 people or so have to travel in excess of 200 miles to reach the venue I believe it would be in the best interests of travelling fans, and the game of football itself, for those fans to be able to reach the matches in safety, without fear of missing kick off. On behalf of football fans across the country I urge you to consider the arrangements for this game with some consideration for us. Many Thanks in advance stuwilky (not really!) Season Ticket Holder Blackburn Rovers FC Copy Tom Finn, Secretary, Blackburn Rovers

but not from the North West, its an absolute nightmare. Both driving and by public transport. It has "disaster" written all over it.

Im afraid that you would be very much in a minority Jan. For those of us who wont use Rovers Transport and prefer to make our own way there there is the grand total of 1 (ONE) train from Blackburn that is due to arrive in Cardiff prior to kick off. That train also goes round the house. Blackburn 0700 to Bolton Bolton 0804 to Manc Picc Manc Picc to Cardiff Central - arrives 1151. Yes, a whole NINE Minutes before Kick off. I shall post my correspondence on here when it is composed. Stu, you should email the club before they meet on Thursday. Stu has already emailed the club, and the competitions manager at the FA. I could have course post his email address on here, but I am not sure how ethically correct that would be. The club have some influence but not much. The fact that fans are going to be either a) crammed onto one train on the next to worthless UK rail network rushing down the M6/M5 and M4 to try and get there before kick off c) Christ knows what else. There is a huge safety problem with that proposal, I am more than aware that the FA havnt confirmed anything, but the club do have some sway over this. I mean lets face it over 100000 people have to travel over 200 miles for a game of football, what a swizz!!! It would surely be better for us v Arsenal to be at Old Trafford. Its the same distance for Arsenal fans, the accomodation being booked up doesnt rear its ugly head like in CArdiff, and the precious police force wont have 4 sets of angry fans in Cardiff at the same time.

Im afraid that you would be very much in a minority Jan. For those of us who wont use Rovers Transport and prefer to make our own way there there is the grand total of 1 (ONE) train from Blackburn that is due to arrive in Cardiff prior to kick off. That train also goes round the house. Blackburn 0700 to Bolton Bolton 0804 to Manc Picc Manc Picc to Cardiff Central - arrives 1151. Yes, a whole NINE Minutes before Kick off. I shall post my correspondence on here when it is composed.

Regarding the venue, this may be of interest. http://www.breakingnews.ie/2005/03/14/story193693.html

We dont know what day it is do we? The TV companies decide.

Arsenal

Excellent Stu, A man of my own kind, someone who takes action not just complaining on an internet message board! Good work that man

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.

Rover6. Look at the Leicester players left hand when MGP falls. What is it doing? Is it pulling him to the floor? Not to mention sliding in for a stupid challenge, inside the box and taking the player whilst not making contact with the ball. But wherever you come from if that wasnt a penalty, then fine.

How can it be for the money? They dont get all that much from the semis. Only 10% or so. Minimal difference between 10% of 70000 and 10% of 67000. But I quite agree with you.

The was the case from my seat in the BBE lower.

Glad I booked my hotels last week. Now just to discover which night to cancel.....fingers crossed for the Sunday match......

No it hasn't AL YES IT HAS! I have no objection to separate standing areas but reaping up all the boring arguments on this board again will achieve nothing. We have no influence with the powers that be whatsoever. Of course we do.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/t...ham/4336057.stm According to the BBC Jay and Jonathan have gone on loan to Gillingham.

Excellent, marvellous. Another thread about Matt Jansen.

So we want at least one striker, a midfielder, a winger, a right back, a left back, a clear out of the academy, 11 existing pro's to go, and all with a budget of £5m. Hmmmm, I think a lot of people will be disappointed. I certainly will be if Nissa doesnt get a renewed contract. Nissa has been excellent this last 18 months or so, he has played in a number of positions, hes young, and he is reliable. If we dont hang on to him it will be a shame.

I don't know how you came about that answer! Try the BBC website ... Tis incorrect sir. Toddy was the first of the pitch and the Rovers website reports that "Todd returns to captain the side". Anyway. How good is Steven Reid? Ive been whining all season that I'd like to see him play more, he finally got his chance today and played out of his skin. Though Thommo looked a little rusty at the beginning of the game but played much better in the second half. Am well chuffed for Stead getting the goal, the pass to set it up was suplime and the finish was excellent.

The reason I chose not to go this time. The launched bottle lids from the park end were of no importance to the coppers who insisted on alying into the kids on the back row for the most heinous of crimies - standing up. and to Mr Whibley - the stadium manager at Goodison park, for his disinterest in the conduct of the staff and police there.