In some ways you have to feel sorry for the Millennium Stadium I suppose, a fantastic stadium in its own right, but it's just not Wembley is it? That was the feeling I got from our two trips to Cardiff which, without being too jingoistic, is the national ground of Wales whereas Wembley is ours, the national ground of England. Like many others who haven't been to the new Wembley yet I'm more than looking forward to seeing how and where £800 million has been spent. I'd been to the old Wembley a couple of times before we played there in 1995 against Birmingham but I was still underwhelmed by the stadium itself even when a good quarter of it was filled by what was then the deckchair army. That final of course for Carlisle, like the 2006 version against Swansea in Cardiff, is best remembered for a defeat and a stupid t-shirt celebration from an opposition player celebrating victory. As if Lee Trundle actually needed to make any more enemies either, whereas at least Paul Tait was someone pretty much anonymous to the footballing world. It felt at that time like a dagger to the heart for 25,000 of the 76,663 spectators when Tait scored that first ever golden goal at Wembley, but who was to know that just two years later we would back there again. This time though the match itself against Colchester was even more dull, it not being helped by a lack of atmosphere in a half-full stadium of only 45,077 fans, easily the majority of those being from Cumbria. It was our only win in four attempts in the final though and who will forget that dramatic penalty shootout comeback where Carlisle came from 3-1 down to take the trophy 4-3 on spot-kicks. Steve Hayward won't forget it either and the sight of him ripping his shirt off before running around the back of the goal and leaping over the advertising hoardings to celebrate in front of the United contingent is one that is in ingrained in the memory of every Blues fan. 2003 was a funny one really, a trip to a final in the "entertaining" Roddy Collins era at a time when, once again, we were desperately battling against the drop into non-league football. Bristol City though were riding high in the division above us and it took an excellent rearguard action from Carlisle to keep the Robins out until 13 minutes from time when Lee Peacock inevitably scored and then Liam Rosenior completed the deal late on. A mention of the division City were in of course brings up a statistic that has so far seemed to creep under the radar, that being that all United's previous four Football League Trophy appearances have come as a fourth tier outfit. Even this year though we will still be seen by the national media as the country cousins against a Southampton side who were in the top flight of English football only five years ago. But then again, Leeds were six seasons ago and look what happened to them in the Northern Area Final. Brunton Park once more providing an enthralling penalty shootout after what had already been a pretty pulsating 90 minutes of football. And the good thing is that you can always be assured that Ken Bates will take defeat on the chin and wish the opposition well for their trip to Wembley. And that's where we will be soon, wearing and waving all our officially endorsed merchandise. These are the days of course that we all follow football for, and that we rarely get at our level, watching the club that is embedded in all our hearts playing in a cup final at the best ground in England. So, with that in mind, what more can you do but enjoy your time down in London for the game whatever you are doing and however you are getting there. We all want to win, particularly after three defeats in our previous four finals, but whatever the result it still promises to be a fantastic occasion and a weekend to remember for everyone, so bring it on!! *This article was written for the free News and Star JPT Final pullout that was issued inside the normal paper on Thursday 25th March. |