Legendary Tigers striker Ken Wagstaff believes the time has finally come for Hull City to claim the FA Cup. For the first time in the club's 110-year history, City will play in the final of the competition, with Steve Bruce's men returning to Wembley on May 17 to take on Arsenal. And Mr Wagstaff â voted the greatest player to ever don a black-and-amber shirt by supporters during club centenary celebrations in 2004 â believes winning the silverware would be perfect payback for the fans' years of loyal support. He said: "I am over the moon at the result. I love the people of this city â they are superb. "An FA Cup final win would be brilliant for fans who have supported this club through thick and thin all these years. "It's finally Hull's time." Mr Wagstaff netted 197 goals in 434 appearances for City during an illustrious career from 1964 to 1976. But FA Cup glory eluded him in both 1966 and 1971 when the club failed to make it past the quarter-finals. Yesterday, along with dozens of other fans, the 71-year-old took his place at The Lambwath pub, in Sutton Road, east Hull, to watch the action. He said: "The players have definitely done well. It's a great achievement reaching the final." But like many watching the match either at Wembley, home or in the pub, Mr Wagstaff was on the edge of his seat for most of the match. "The goals were all very good, but I am surprised City allowed Sheffield to get three past them," he said. "I got pretty nervous, especially when they went 2-1 up. When you score, you really need to concentrate â that's the time when you are most vulnerable. But it seemed they forgot that." Mr Wagstaff warned Arsenal will be a "different kettle of fish", but he thinks the Tigers have what it takes to see off the Gunners. "The FA Cup final is about bottle," he said. "But you can't go gung-ho at a top team like Arsenal. Everyone will expect Arsenal to beat Hull City. "But I think we will do it. I think we will win the FA Cup." Just like Bruce's men, Dean Windass also made Wembley history on May 28, 2008, when his terrific half-volley catapulted the club into English football's top flight for the first time. Deano said: "It's emotional. I am a Hull lad and I never thought we would go back to Wembley. I never dreamed we would get to the FA Cup final." Despite his clear allegiances to City, Deano gave full credit to Nigel Clough's Sheffield United side for their gutsy performance. "Nigel will be very proud of his players," he said. "They didn't look like a League One team. They had a right go at City." Due to their Premier League status, the Tigers went into the semi-final clear favourites, but on cup final day, it will be their turn to be the underdog, Deano pointed out. "We should not be frightened of Arsenal," he said. "We've got them in the league on Sunday but that result will be no reflection of the outcome of the final. "Anything can happen and the icing on top of the cake, after securing league survival, will be lifting the cup." Chris Chilton, who along with Mr Wagstaff formed City's deadliest-ever strike force in the 1960s, watched the match at home with his family. "It was a wonderful performance and a brilliant result," he said. "For some reason, they came good and the people of Hull should be very proud of the team, as I am sure they will be. "For the team to have got through the trials and tribulations that's required to get all the way to the FA Cup final is a massive achievement." Mr Chilton, 70, the local boy from Sproatley who chalked-up 222 goals during 477 appearances from 1960 to 1971, urged today's stars and their army of fans to savour every minute of cup final day. "It's a one-off event," he said. "I dreamed of playing in a FA Cup final. "Unfortunately, I have only been to Wembley once and that was to watch a final." http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/Hull...yal-fans-Ken/story-20954487-detail/story.html
Nice quotes, but very odd the way they write Mr Chilton and Mr Wagstaff. If that's the house style why not write Mr Windass too? If it's Deano, surely Waggy and Chillo ...
