Paphos People

FA Cup 5th round - Huddersfield Town visit Chelsea



Set off at 8.30am in one of the 37 coaches travelling from Yorkshire down the M1 to Stamford Bridge.

Stopped at Northampton service station, and so did all the other coaches so the place was a sea of blue and white shirts, scarves and flags and everyone in buoyant mood in spite of queueing for cofee, toilets etc,

Reported road block on M1 south due to accident produced a change of direction so then travelled down the M40, over Hammersmith bridge and on to Chelsea.
Spent 1 hour in traffic in Chelsea and all coaches had to park away from the ground so at 2.30pm was dropped off and proceeded to walk, 1 mile arriving in our seats just 5 mins before kick off.

What an amzing atmosphere and the 8.5 thousand Town fans certainly drowned the noise of the other 30,000 chelsea supporters.

Chelsea are a master class, and know how to pass a ball around, are quick with lampard scoring on approx 20 mins. However our young lads (plus the three old time premiership players of Sinclair, Page and Boothy) stuck in there and in spite of giving them too much respect managed an equalising goal on 46 mins. I have never seen the town fans so jubilant, the place went mad!!!!!!

Second half created more possession of the ball for the Terriers and in spite of conceeding 2 more goals they did them selves proud with each town player bagging themselves a chelsea shirt.

The trek back to the coaches across the Kings Road was manic with both sets of supporters mingling freely and yet all herded by police horses.

Another crash on M1 saw us stationary on The M1 but as we were in adjacent lanes to the team coach for a good 20 mins , we were able to watch their coach video as well as being entrtained by their card schools and the exchanging of banter across the coaches.

Arrived back at the stadium at 11pm after a very thrilling but tiring day out, knowing that the lads had stood up well to the international class of Chelsea and made Huddersfield very proud.

Another end of the cup run for us but hope the experience will kick start their move up the league table.

Finally being an original Barnsley Lass I am delighted at their trouncing of Liverpool, who said that football is boring??

Chris

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"If you haven't got a plan, you don't have a map. If you don't have a map, you'll never find the treasure!"

Chris,

You were so unlucky yesterday mate, I was hoping you'd do the same to Chelski as Barnsley did to the POOL but it just wasn't your day...

Hard luck Chris, you were not disgraced.
Hey Pete, shall I tell you about a trip I had to London in the FA Cup?
It was 5th of May 1973 and yes we only won it !
DP

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So close yet so far away

I was 4yrs old some 11days later mate

Thanks Guys

We never did expect a win but a draw and bringing them to back North to show them how "unflat cap like we all are!!!!!!!" would have been nice.

Will be watching Barnsley avidly now even though they were once our rivals.

Chelski really do think they are prima donas which somehow overruled their class.

Chris

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"If you haven't got a plan, you don't have a map. If you don't have a map, you'll never find the treasure!"

I remember in 1996 we played Man United at Old Trafford in the FA Cup.
I took my son to his first away game, he was 10. He wore our full away kit and we went with the Travel Club in convoy with loads of coaches.
Don't get me wrong, I've been to loads of away games but with it being his first I'll always remember it. We had 8.000 there and as we were on the ring road around Manchester the skylight opened on the coach in front and two lads climbed onto the roof and started doing moonies to all the passing United Fans. Laugh, I nearly wet myself and so did my son.

We drew 2-2 with Cantona getting a goal in the last few minutes.
When it was 2-1 to us I actually held my hands together looked up to the sky and prayed.
Ah the magic of the FA Cup.
Gary
We got knocked out in the replay.
Anyone got fond memoriesdof the FA Cup?

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So close yet so far away

Sounds like a good day out Chris - thanks for the report!

Never liked Stamford Bridge myself - ridiculously overpriced tickets, and they always used to give us shocking seats with a rubbish view