We received this email from one of our lovely readers and so passed on the query to them people what organise these things...and The FA duly responded, in super quick time, and explained to our Harriet.
Dear FG,
I can’t wait to go watch the FA cup final at Nottingham Forest FC, however after much debate with friends and family about why the women’s FA cup final is not at Wembley, we came to the conclusion that it maybe because of the atmosphere of such a big place would not be right with the number of people watching. I was still not satisfied that this was a reasonable answer but kept my frustration in this matter to myself. Until I was OUTRAGED to see on our local news that an under 11's boys team reached a final of their county cup and it was to be played at Wembley! I cannot see how the atmosphere at a boys under 11 game at Wembley stadium is going to be better than the FA cup women’s final!! Could someone please give me an answer to why the ladies have to play at Nottingham Forest FC and not Wembley like the men’s sides (and boys)?!?
Thank-you
Harriet Rudd
And this is the swift answer she got from The FA's Alex Stone:
"The main factor for choosing Nottimgham again was the overwhelming support we received from the Borough and City Council, numerous development agencies, the County FA and even the fact that E.ON have a major office in the East Midlands...all these things combined to help to attract the crowd we had last year (almost double the previous best).
"We anticipate another big crowd this year, allied to major kids events taking place in the city centre on Saturday, opposite the City Ground on Monday, and the fact the Victoria Trophy and another big girls' festival are taking place in Nottingham on the Sunday.
"We have even managed to get discounted hotel rates for teams to encourage them to stay up for the final - all this takes a lot of planning and support, which has been built up over nearly 2 years.
"Wembley was in our thoughts but the success of last year, and the central location for the teams, and groups of girls and women across the country ultimately won out, and we expect a good turn out from Leeds fans just up the M1.
"As for the U11's team, they won a competition through McDonald's, whose millions enable them an event to be hosted at Wembley.
"Don't forget The FA Umbro Fives competition gives any female team (aged over 16) the chance to play at Wembley, and anyone involved from Watford Ladies, as well as likes of Middlesbrough and Langford etc would vouch for a fantastic experience....teams can still enter the local heats for this year too...."
What do you think? Are you happy the cup final is not in London again? Or do you think it should be there? You must be glad you have had months to organise getting to the game? Or do you just want to spread the words of one of the songs you are going to sing or a shout out to a team attending or a player playing?
Let us know, send us an email to this address: jen@fgmag.com
Lyn was first to get in touch and she reckons... (and we'll check out her query too)
Dear Fair Game,
I think it's a great idea that the FA Women's Cup Final is being held in Nottingham again. After the record turnout last year I think it's only right that Nottingham hosts it for a second year. It's central for everybody and a neutral venue.
I didn't understand why the League Cup Final was all the way down in London. It favoured Arsenal supporters while Everton fans had a long way to travel and the football ground wasn't even announced until the semis had already been decided (unlike the FA Cup final). I'd like to know how the decision was made to host it at Leyton Orient. On saying this, it was worth the journey as im an Everton Ladies supporter!
From
Lynn,(Derbyshire)
And a few other emails on this subject...
Dear Fair Game,
I have just read Lynn's response about the FA cup in London or Nottingham.
I live in Scotland which is a lot further to get to London than Liverpool but I think it should be in London for that reason.
Unless you live in driving distance of any of thse places, London is most accessible to get to for everone by public transport. My team mates and I were going to fly down for a day in London to watch the FA cup but when we found out if was in Nottingham we realised there was no way we could get there. We looked at buses and trains but it was far easier to get to London than Nottingham so we had to miss out.
Also having it at Wembley is a prestige thing. So many blokes ask where it is and no disrespect to Nottingham Forest but it make them think that it is a second rate venue for (in their opinion) the second rate version of the game.
To say you have played at Wembley has got to be any footballers dream, so why shouldn't the girls who get to the FA cup final be allowed that privilege?
From Kelly Stokes
And:
Hi FG,
I watched the women's FA Final on TV and both my girls and even the hubby commented on why is the game not at Wembley.
Regardless of Nottingham being central to both teams it should have been played at Wembley.
If Liverpool and Manchester United where in the men's FA Final they would not hold it at a central stadium it would be down at Wembley.
Regards
F Bristow
Dear FG,
We had over 100 C of E players/parents attend this year`s final same as last year and they had the time of their lives...it is accessible to everyone who want to get there and back in the same day...if it was at Wembley we would not be running the same trip as it would need an overnight stay and who wants to pay £5 for an ice cream cornet?!
Why don`t England Women`s team play at Wembleeeeeee? No atmosphere would be our guess, when England men`s team brought their fixtures up North they had a great following and dare we say it....much more success!
Wembley is just a name, the National Stadium should have been built in Birmingham.............but that is another story.
(Just one opinion from) NUWFC
Our online poll, which ran for two weeks, asked you whether it was right to have the FA Women's Cup Final at Nottingham this year.
Just short of a thousand of you voted saying:
51% No. It should be at Wembley.
42% Yes. They got a record crowd AGAIN.
5% No. It should be in London.
5% No. It should be in my back yard 'cos I'm lazy. (God love you for being honest! Ha Ha).
