From Boothferry to Wembley for City – a decade on
DREAMLAND AND AGONY OF FA CUP FINAL
Ten years ago, tens of thousands of Hullensians leapt from their beds besieged with excitement about the day that lay ahead for them, their friends and family, for Hull City were in an FA Cup final for the very first time in their dramatic 110-year history.
Fans of all ages, young and old alike proudly decked out in Black and Amber made their way from East Yorkshire to the capital, with hope and pride filling their hearts, it was a moment in history and one the 25,000-strong travelling support could not wait to witness, to be a part of, to feel.
The City, adorned in the iconic club colours, Paragon station sporting banners and even the statue of Philip Larkin had his scarf on to see the fans off to London.
Not unusual of course, given the Tigers’ previous with fairly recent trips to Wembley, though this was different, this was for the FA Cup. A chance to add their name to the pantheon of greats.
Having overcome the tricky challenges of Middlesbrough and Southend United away from home in rounds three and four, Steve Bruce’s side needed a replay – rather topical given the current climate – to beat Brighton before thumping Sunderland 3-0 at the KC Stadium, the Tigers set up a Wembley showdown with arch-rivals Sheffield United, in what was a 5-3 classic.
Arsenal were lying in wait. Arsene Wenger’s Gunners, who finished the season fourth in the Premier League, seven points adrift of eventual winners Manchester City, while the
Tigers narrowly avoided the drop, ending the campaign 16th.
“It’s a new experience for me as a manager and it’s a wonderful achievement for the club and the city,” Bruce said before the final.
“It’s a working-class city and if we can bring the cup back and give it something to shout about it would be terrific.”
For all the build-up, the national anthem, Abide with Me, the pomp and ceremony, the nerves, tension and excitement, by 5.08pm, the soldout City half of that national stadium were pinching themselves, dousing their faces in cold water. Was it really happening, was it true? Were their side really 2-0 up inside eight minutes of an FA Cup final?
Yes, really.
When Tom Huddlestone’s volleyed effort from the edge of the box found James Chester at the back post, his flick flew past Lukas Fabianski and into the back of the net. Barely three minutes were on the clock, the Tigers in front. Dreamland.
Barely five minutes later and dreamland became something even bigger when Curtis Davies slammed in at the back post after Fabianksi could only divert Alex Bruce’s header onto a post. City 2-0 up and they’d not even played 10 minutes. Astonishing. The Gunners’ end of Wembley where both goals were scored, aghast. The opposite end was unbridled joy, arms and legs everywhere.
Unfortunately for the Tigers, Bruce’s header shortly after was cleared off the line and then the Gunners hauled themselves back into it after 17 minutes when Santi Cazorla’s free-kick evaded Allan Mcgregor. Game on. A frenetic opening it was, but the fourth goal only arrived 18 minutes from time when Laurent Koscielny turned in from close range to send the time into extra-time, and we all know what happened next. Aaron Ramsey turned in the winner 11 minutes from penalties. City hearts broken. Arsenal, in their 18th final, jubilant and with no lack of relief.
“In terms of effort, endeavour and determination you couldn’t fault them to a man. Proud? Of course, I am. They were magnificent,” Bruce emotionally said. “We are totally disappointed because it could have been one of those memorable FA Cup wins where the underdog goes and wins it. On another day we could have won it but in the end, we didn’t have enough.”
The Tigers and their band of supporters crestfallen, devastated and facing a long journey home. The FA Cup within their grasp but snatched away. Football’s highs and lows summed up within 120 minutes of ecstasy, pain and despair.
A game that will live long in the memory, a moment in time and one those inside Wembley and watching on around the world will never, ever forget.