I was on facebook today. Theres somebody on there that reminisces about past football. He just so happened to put the league table up after 45 matches where Newcastle and Sunderland were in the play off places. Newcastle were 3rd, Sunderland were 4th. We must have lost the last game and finished 6th, meaning we played the town over 2 legs rather than the chance of meeting at Wembley. It got me thinking, what the bloody hell would have happened if we met at Wembley? ****ing hell on probably. The authorities would have been ****ting themselves. Could our game have been fixed? After all, we were guarenteed at least 6th. A Sunderland loss would have benefitted everyone. Policing 2 games, held locally, would have been a picnic compared to 40000 of each making their way down to Wembley. Not to mention the countless number ticketless. Cars waving flags and scarfs? The A1 would have been like Wacky Races. London? Ground zero. What would happen today if we were to meet at Wembley? Could you imagine the hell on if we were to beat them? Would the authorities try and prevent such a meeting? I mean, when was the last time we met in the cup? Do you think the FA are capable or are able to keep us apart in the draw?
It's remarkable how the clubs have avoided each other at neutral grounds tbh. When they went to Wembley, to be beaten by Tueart's Man City, we were playing at Luton. The police were at the entrance to each services and designated some for them and some for us. It's best that way imo, they're not to be trusted.
The seperate service stations, thats just the sort of example of what was going to be my next question. What would be the other sort of things the authorities, ie the FA, the police, would have to do in order to keep the peace? It would be a logistical nightmare and could cost alot of money. Thats what makes me think that when it comes to cup competitions we are purposely kept apart. Even when its not at a neutral ground.
