Wembley semi final

[dougcollins]

I know it's a big if, but if we were to make it to the FA cup semi final what do people feel about it being at Wembley?

Doesn't seem right to me, kind of diminishes the final to some extent?

[jedi_master]

I agree, it does - but if Burnley make the Semi, it's a great occasion for us so I will be a hypocrite about it!

[Winstonswhite]

I don’t think there’s a question that football fans are more unified about. Should never have happened and completely devalues the whole competition.

[Bosscat]

We were chatting about this very thing in the Pub on Friday evening.

Used to be the likes of Hillsborough, OT or Villa Park etc in the past depending on geography of the teams involved ... Wembley should just be for the final ... end of ...

[CrosspoolClarets]

It is stupid, devaluing and wrong.

But when you are Burnley you’d take it, because if we have a generation of relative success and no play off finals there may be no other way of our youngsters not there under Coyle seeing Wembley.

[Fretters]

I don't like it and I'd be torn. Financially, I'm not sure I could commit to Wembley twice in the unlikely event we made it to the final, so would I plump for the semi or gamble for the final?! Literally kept me awake the other night, this.

[fatboy47]

Must have been about 10,000 semis at Wembley in May 2009.

[Ashingtonclaret46]

This all started the season after the new Wembley Stadium was opened because the FA realised that they had to get as much money in as possible to pay for the construction and running of the new stadium. It isn't going to change, it's all about finances.

[Spijed]

The only surprise is they don't try and shoe horn the quarter finals in there as well.

[Clive 1960]

I don't agree with it being at Wembley but if the opportunity came up and if it was against Rovers we would sell out easily for sure .

[Devils_Advocate]

I loved the Semi's being at neutral grounds and hate them being played at Wembley however I guess you also need to ask yourself do you want it to be an occasion for all fans.

I think you get about a 3rd of the allocation in the FA Cup Semi Final so at Wembley we would get around 30k tickets which whilst some would still miss out most would be ok

if we were to play at any ground other than Old Trafford we would be looking at 20k tickets and anything outside London (excluding Old Trafford) would be more like 17k max. If we played at Villa Park which is the classic neutral venue for the cup we'd get about 14k tickets

So whilst ideologically its neutral grounds all the way in practice I'd like as many Burnley fans as possible to get the chance to see them in the FA Cup Semi-Final which would unfortunately mean Wembley

[HiThere]

I don't agree with it being at Wembley but if the opportunity came up and if it was against Rovers we would sell out easily for sure .

I think we'd sell out easily regardless of the opposition, should we get there.

[NottsClaret]

We were talking about this too. Still a way off, but we wouldn't go to Wembley for a Semi final. Just feels stupid going there for anything but a final. I'm sure we'd sell out though.

[BigAlClaret]

I too worry about the financial implications of 2 trips to Wembley. If I could even take the family to 1 would it be a once in a generation trip to the semi knowing even if we won I would struggle to afford a truly historical and otherwise unmissable final or miss the semi and wait for an unlikely final .That approach could see me miss a huge cup game altogether. I couldn't imagine the thought of missing any to be honest but this could be a very real scenario for many.If it was another venue this may be just a little bit easier

[Tribesmen]

It's the only time i may get a ticket so for me it's great to get the chance to go to the semis

[Rick_Muller]

you'd have to go to the semi final surely...! and then suffer the double edged sword of joy and disappointment either way...!

Win and its "ah sh!t, that's another £XXX to pay out to go again but YAY we won!"

Lose and is "bugger we lost... but we dont have to pay out £XXX to go again"

[Winstonswhite]

It's the only time i may get a ticket so for me it's great to get the chance to go to the semis

If the semi was at Old Trafford or Tottenham you’d still get tickets easily.

[GaryClaret]

I'd be able to go to the semi final but I'm on holiday for the incredible late date of the final (June 3rd). A lot of water to go under the bridge until then though! One game at a time etc etc

But yeah if I was here to have all the build up for the semi final, money spent on tickets, perhaps a hotel, the emotion of winning and then to have to do it all again a month later......it is bonkers really.

[evensteadiereddie]

It is but I don't think there's one of us, surely, that would turn down two Wembley trips to see the lads.
I've a funny feeling that we'll reach the semi-finals at least.

[claptrappers_union]

Playing at Wembley should be a privilege; it should only be used for finals. Remember, it's only being used as much as possible because it went ridiculously over budget when redeveloped, and the need to recoup the money back.

I don't understand why Semi-Finals should be held at neutral venues anyway; what's wrong with the luck of the draw like in all the previous rounds?

[GaryClaret]

Like I wonder about what Watford fans think when they won one of the great FA Cup matches against Wolves in the semi final a few years ago. So you go through that game, on cloud 9, won at Wembley etc and then got destroyed by City in the final 6-0. Does it make the experience in the semi final meaningless because of the nature of the defeat in the final?

I know it's been talked about a bit on here but I do have an obsession with the 1974 semi final. I was born in 83 but with such few successes in the cup over the years the footage of the enormous crowds at that game captures my imagination - what an occasion that must have been to be a part of? Even if it's ultimately a very disappointing outcome.

I do still believe in this competition an awful lot and it would be wonderful to get to the latter stages. I think it would capture the town's imagination big time.

[Rowls]

Guys!

We’re not yet in the 6th round.

Worry about tickets to Wembley if or when it happens.

[sjb]

Like I wonder about what Watford fans think when they won one of the great FA Cup matches against Wolves in the semi final a few years ago. So you go through that game, on cloud 9, won at Wembley etc and then got destroyed by City in the final 6-0. Does it make the experience in the semi final meaningless because of the nature of the defeat in the final?

I know it's been talked about a bit on here but I do have an obsession with the 1974 semi final. I was born in 83 but with such few successes in the cup over the years the footage of the enormous crowds at that game captures my imagination - what an occasion that must have been to be a part of? Even if it's ultimately a very disappointing outcome.

I do still believe in this competition an awful lot and it would be wonderful to get to the latter stages. I think it would capture the town's imagination big time.

Along with the defeat at Crewe in 86/7, that semi final loss to Newcastle remains the worst I have ever felt after a Clarets game. Don't think I spoke a word on the coach coming home.

[wilks_bfc]

If the semi was at Old Trafford or Tottenham you’d still get tickets easily.

If they were to be at neutral grounds, hopefully we wouldn’t have a semi final at Tottenham.
The whole point of them were for them to be a neutral venue “midway” between the two teams.
Being held at Tottenham, would mean the same costs and travel times for us as it would be if held at Wembley

[arise_sir_charge]

I don’t agree with the semi finals being at Wembley.

However financial restrictions aside I think any Burnley fan would be mad to pass up the opportunity of a Wembley semi final, should it arise, regardless of the opposition.

We’ve never played in an FA Cup semi final in my lifetime, we may never again, so if we make it, regardless of if I agree with it, I’ll be there with bells on!

[Croydon Claret]

We’ve never played in an FA Cup semi final in my lifetime, we may never again, so if we make it, regardless of if I agree with it, I’ll be there with bells on!

Great, I wait all my life to see us in a semi and I get stuck next to a bunch of Morris dancers

[MACCA]

Getting to Wembley isn't as special anymore, too many games played there.

I'm not sure on the exact fact/number but I'm sure I heard something like 70% of football league teams have played there already and it's only been built a couple of decades.

I know there is one local team that hasn't that's quite funny, hopefully it's at least another year too before they do.

[Fretters]

Getting to Wembley isn't as special anymore, too many games played there.

I'm not sure on the exact fact/number but I'm sure I heard something like 70% of football league teams have played there already and it's only been built a couple of decades.

I know there is one local team that hasn't that's quite funny, hopefully it's at least another year too before they do.

I thought it was only Blackburn who hadn't played there

[Spijed]

I'm not sure on the exact fact/number but I'm sure I heard something like 70% of football league teams have played there already and it's only been built a couple of decades.

Was our league game against Spurs included in those figures?

[Lancasterclaret]

I'd go, and I'd take the kids

Might never get there again

[Gp8419]

As a one off because it’s us I would be more than glad to for us to go Wembley would it Happen again… but if we got to a semi next year also the buzz will have gone miles better at old Trafford etc. I can still remember rovers was it arsenal on a Sunday it kicked off at a ridiculous time just after dinner I think they sold 14 k that’s all nobody could be bothered with it all-I can understand that.

[Socrates]

I’d absolutely be going and I’ve promised I’ll take my son. No doubt in my mind.

[MACCA]

Was our league game against Spurs included in those figures?

Wouldn't matter as we played there in playoff final so % doesn't change for sound of times only the different teams, there's not many in top 2 divisions that haven't played there...

Blackburn of course haven't

[4:20]

Although it's never sat right with me that the semi finals are at Wembley, it could well be a once in a lifetime event for teams like Burnley. For me, as I'd expect for so many, it would be a dream come true and an unforgettable experience. What a day out, carnival atmosphere, 30,000 of us on the world stage and the chance to do it all again a few weeks later at the big one.

[Dark Cloud]

I've never been in favour of having the semis at Wembley and that applies whether it's Burnley or not. It just devalues reaching the final there imo.

[Nonayforever]

I agree that the reason the semi's are held at Wembley is purely financial, but I think the lack of uproar from "neutral" clubs was the fact that their grounds were being trashed in the latter days I seem to remember.

[IanMcL]

Anyway....see you all at the Turf, on Wednesday and we go from there.

[Rileybobs]

It's never bothered me and I'm not sure why it is an issue for so many. It's only a venue.

[CnBtruntru]

I don't like it and I'd be torn. Financially, I'm not sure I could commit to Wembley twice in the unlikely event we made it to the final, so would I plump for the semi or gamble for the final?! Literally kept me awake the other night, this.

Must be why you're called Fretters

[Fretters]

Must be why you're called Fretters

My surname is Fretwell. Does what it says on the tin.

[IanMcL]

Should we get past Fleetwood, I would like Grimsby, Bristol City or Stoke City in the next round.

[turfytopper]

It is stupid, devaluing and wrong.

But when you are Burnley you’d take it, because if we have a generation of relative success and no play off finals there may be no other way of our youngsters not there under Coyle seeing Wembley.

Strangely we have played there twice since that wonderful day against Sheffield United.

I won't complain a semi at Wembley as I live just 40 miles away

[Woodleyclaret]

This nonsense started when two London clubs played in the Semis inspired by Cockneys not wishing to travel North and greed by the FA

[arise_sir_charge]

This nonsense started when two London clubs played in the Semis inspired by Cockneys not wishing to travel North and greed by the FA

It started with Sheff Utd V Sheff Wednesday I think, early 90’s but then wasn’t every year. Then again I may be making that up.

[Bordeauxclaret]

It started with Sheff Utd V Sheff Wednesday I think, early 90’s but then wasn’t every year. Then again I may be making that up.

Arsenal v Spurs a couple of years before I think.
They played each other again at Wembley the same year at the two Sheffield clubs played each other.

[box_of_frogs]

18 minutes on the tube for me, so no complaints. That said, I’d still rather it be at the classic neutral venue rather than Wembley.

[burnleymik]

A mate who been a few times says the Semi's are a far better atmosphere than the final, because so many of the seats are not taken by corporate, so it's just a huge army of fans from both sides. Where as the final has around 17k tickets (I believe) for corporate.

[AlargeClaret]

We could have a “ super quarters “ “100 style “day at Wembley when all 8 teams play round robin games to decide who makes the semis .. again at Wembley …

[Milltown1882]

Rovers winning means there’s a very real chance of it being them if they finish the job off. That would be some day out.

[timshorts]

The only surprise is they don't try and shoe horn the quarter finals in there as well.

And man u home games so that their fans didn't have to travel.