Football fans on 'nightmare' journeys to London for cup final amid train strikes
Both camps were mad for it as their teams faced off in the first Manchester derby FA Cup final.
But it was the City fans who got to roll with it at Wembley today as the Sky Blues kept their Premier League winning rhythm to beat bitter rivals United 2-1 and bag the coveted double.
Singing out for his side in the stands was ex-Oasis wildman Liam Gallagher – filmed ribbing a young Red Devils fan after Ilkay Gundogan hit the winner to follow up his record-breaking first goal, slotted in 12 seconds into the game.
And while rail strikes truly made the final ‘The Road To Wembley’ as thousands of supporters had to catch buses, City remain well on track to equal United’s historic 1999 treble of League Cup, FA Cup and Champions League.
Manchester City players celebrate with their trophy at Wembley Stadium, London (PA)More than 150 official supporters’ coaches began leaving Manchester at 7am before joining thousands of other vehicles, including minibuses and cars, on the 200-mile trip to North West London. And in the end, it was the team in red looking back in anger.
Teachers, civil servants and train drivers walk out in biggest strike in decade
City fan Charlotte Holdsworth, 38, drove for four hours from Sale with son Oliver, 13, but had a wonderball, saying: “It’s been a good day.”
However, Man United fan Marty Harris, 46, was mourning glory after getting up at 4am with his young son to take a flight from Edinburgh to Birmingham before driving to Watford then catching a Tube.
He told us: “It’s been torture, absolute torture. It’s been a nightmare.”
Coaches waiting to take Manchester United fans to Wembley Stadium outside the Old Trafford (PA)Neutral fan Phil Annets, 58, an FA Cup expert who wrote a piece for the official matchday programme, slammed the rail stoppages. He said: “I think it’s just vindictive to try and impact as many people as possible.”
The disruption was caused by 12,000 workers in the RMT and Aslef unions. Around 40% of trains across the country have been hit by the latest strikes, which began on Wednesday. Platforms at London’s Euston Station were shut with just a few London Overground trains running, while Avanti and Northwestern services were axed.
Liam Gallagher has a friendly wrestle with a little Man United fan (Pixel8000)Today's kick-off time was brought forward from 5.30pm to 3pm after the Metropolitan Police raised concerns over safety, including transport for fans returning home from the match. And there had been a call by fans of both clubs, whose stadiums are just five miles apart, for the match to be moved away from the capital – but FA bosses dismissed it.
The strikes also affected thousands of people heading to other events today – including Beyoncé’s gig at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Peter Kay’s show at the O2 Arena, England’s Test Match at Lord’s and the Epsom Derby.
Erling Haaland celebrates with the FA Cup Trophy (The FA via Getty Images)Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan warned there is “no waning in enthusiasm” from members on taking industrial action.
He said: “We remain in this for the long haul. It is time for the Government to step back from interference which is preventing a deal.
Prince William pictured with Pep Guardiola, manager of Manchester City (The FA via Getty Images)“We do not want to be on strike. But we are in this if it takes us four years, five years, whatever it is, to get a resolution.” The Department for Transport aid: “The Government has facilitated a fair pay offer, now union leaders must do the right thing and put this to their members.”
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For City fans, by far the best strikes of the day were both facilitated by midfielder Gundogan – the first scored after 12 seconds, beating Louis Saha’s record of 25 seconds in the 2009 final for Everton against Chelsea. Man United’s lone goal was a Bruno Fernandes penalty.
Harry Maguire with Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United via Getty Imag)Prince William handed the winners’ medals to City manager Pep Guardiola and his squad.
Now the seemingly unstoppable train that is Manchester City will pull into Istanbul next weekend to try for the treble – hoping to railroad Milan’s finest and lift the Champions League trophy for the first time.
In an Inter-City final, of course.
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