Planet Swans ArchivesWell here we are on what could be a momentous occasion. Tonight could see the very last FA Cup tie ever to be played at the Vetch Field and me, as gutted from Margam, finds himself somewhere in the deepest depths of Kent unable to see the game.
I had hoped for Sky coverage but that went to Notts County and I had hoped to find that my business contacts down there would take pity on me but that never happened either. So it is with a heavy heart that I have to miss the game so just a small favour from the team please – win this, win at Reading and then the nice people at the FA can give us a home tie in Round 4.
Not much to ask? I said many a time on last season’s FA Cup run that I love the competition and on Sunday afternoon I realised exactly why. Manchester United against Exeter City and Yeading against Newcastle is, for the two non-league sides, the stuff that dreams are made of.
They know they have no chance but this is the part-timers taking on the millionaires and that is why the FA Cup will always have a special place in my heart. I should also add that Scunthorpe drawing Chelsea could mean that their players have one eye on the tie over the Christmas period and give us the chance to capitalise at the top of the table.
I write these notes one week before this fixture but by the time you read them then we will have played two more games and hopefully picked up some points. It was disappointing to end that winning streak here at the Vetch against Bury but with three of our next four league games being here we have an almost immediate chance to put that right.
With players returning from suspension, and hopefully injury then the next three weeks will be a vitally crucial period with five league games being crammed into a short period of time. A note of congratulations this week must go to Lesa Hitchings and the rest of the staff involved in Cyril’s Christmas Party at the Dolphin Hotel just over a week ago.
My daughter may only be one and too young to appreciate this but to see the kids crammed into the room (note to hotel: fix the air conditioning!) showed that the club has come so much closer to the community over the past few years. It was also brilliant for those kids (and the parents) to see so many of the first team squad there giving up their day off for the fans and a well done to Mr Trundle for grabbing a seat to sign the autographs – shame he had to do it right next to one of the speakers!!
Great stuff to all concerned. There was also the information released last week about the prices for the new stadium. I do think that the club have pretty much got these right although I do have to raise a question about the prices for concessions.
I honestly think that £10 is too high a price for this category and it could may well make parents think twice about taking their children to every game.
Not only are these people the supporters of our future but it is also a well known fact that kids like the extras and will insist on programmes, drinks and sweets at games so maybe a drop in prices there could actually not cost us any lost revenue through these extra sales.
Other than that I have no objection to the adult prices and I still cannot wait for that opening game at the end of July. But back to matters on the pitch tonight. It’s not been a great season so far for Stockport and we will probably start as favourites tonight but if it is to be the last game at the Vetch in this competition then let’s make it a night to remember – especially for those of us that are not here!
To Absent Friends and UP THE SWANS!
Phil Sumbler
You can keep updated on the views of the fans by visiting www.jackarmy.net – Supporting the Swans, All Day, Every Day.
