It took only 7,773 fans for Wembley to feel alive again
IT MAKES a difference raising a trophy to supporters rather than seats.
There have been many more deafening noises at this ground but as Fernandinho lifted the Carabao Cup the roar was back at Wembley.
And you didn’t have to be a Manchester City fan for it to sound wonderful.
Blue Moon ringing aroundWembley is nothing out of the ordinary after a Carabao Cup final, but human beings singing it and not just a soundtrack felt extra special after a season of silence.
Kyle Walker had an audience to dance for, Pep Guardiola someone to wave to… this was professional football set against its proper backdrop and it felt so much better.
The first game back with fans of both clubs present was elevated by the intensity and excitement they brought with them.
There may have been only 7,773 inside Wembley but the stadium felt alive again. Throaty, raw, energised.
At the end of a week in which supporters helped topple the tower of avarice that was the European Super League, it was only right they were at the season’s first showpiece.
The knock-on effects of the popular uprising continue – ‘Fans 1, Greedy Pigs 0’ – read one banner smuggled into the Spurs section from where emanated the hearty strains of ‘we want Levy out’ before kick-off.
But this was a final and after so long locked out the lucky fans let in were there to enjoy it. The Spurs fans, starved of these occasions in recent years, dusted off their full back catalogue of songs and chants and released a new one with ‘Ryan Mason
– he’s one of our own’ to take in the change of management.
To be frank, they had hardly anything to cheer but they carried on anyway. Real, devoted, one-eyed, illogical, emotional fans. They’re not always perfect but it’s good to have them back.
Hopefully, this is the precursor to greater numbers at the FA Cup final and the Euros.