I was working in Manchester in 94, with a load of united fans.  They spent the week leading up  to the final boasting about how they were going to smash us,  and predicting a 5-0 win for them. I foolishly (or otherwise, as it turned out) told them that if they won 5-0, I would take all of them out on the own in Manchester and pay for drinks, food and clubbing.

The last few minutes of that final were a bit nerve-wracking, to  say the least.

11 hours ago, Londonisblue said:

here's one more : 

 

 

Dave Webb goal against Leeds in the FA Cup Final replay. Remember it well. I was a teen then and went ape sh*t when he scored. Happy memories.

29 minutes ago, yorkleyblue said:

I was working in Manchester in 94, with a load of united fans.  They spent the week leading up  to the final boasting about how they were going to smash us,  and predicting a 5-0 win for them. I foolishly (or otherwise, as it turned out) told them that if they won 5-0, I would take all of them out on the own in Manchester and pay for drinks, food and clubbing.

The last few minutes of that final were a bit nerve-wracking, to  say the least.

Was it 4-0 ? lol, 94 i just remember rain, rain, rain, and drink, drink, drink that day, the whole match is forgotten, talk about drowning your sorrows.

rain and drink and a very tightened sphincter towards the end.  I hadn't told my wife about my rash promise,either.  Not until after the match ended.

I was thinking in football although the bad times suck. You need those to come enjoy the great times more.

Like 1997 was incredible and I think the pain of 1994 attributed to that. Much like all the pain in the the CL (including of course the 2008 final) made Munich 2012 better.

I think after losing last year’s final and the terrible season we have had winning the FA Cup on Saturday would be incredible. 

97 totally different to 94 and not just the obvious that we won it, first off our run in to the final was pretty epic, especially the dismantling of Liverpool from a 0-2 losing position. Then on the day it was a real nice sunny late spring 3pm KO, Suggsy knocked up a great tune for us, we had Ruudy leading us into battle, a wonder goal, we led the whole game from start to finish, on the back of that win we went into Europe, won that, remember Vialli in the snow at Tromso, Won the CWC the League cup and super cup, beating the mighty RM.

All of a sudden Chelsea had arrived on the silverware scene, and from then to now we have been regular winners.

So thats why 97 was a massive turning point in our iiistory !!

9 minutes ago, coco said:

97 totally different to 94 and not just the obvious that we won it, first off our run in to the final was pretty epic, especially the dismantling of Liverpool from a 0-2 losing position. Then on the day it was a real nice sunny late spring 3pm KO, Suggsy knocked up a great tune for us, we had Ruudy leading us into battle, a wonder goal, we led the whole game from start to finish, on the back of that win we went into Europe, won that, remember Vialli in the snow at Tromso, Won the CWC the League cup and super cup, beating the mighty RM.

All of a sudden Chelsea had arrived on the silverware scene, and from then to now we have been regular winners.

So thats why 97 was a massive turning point in our iiistory !!

Yeah 1997 was vital and that period towards 99 was my favourite as a Chelsea supporter. 

I've never been so unconfident for a cup final before in my whole life, I'm sorry to be negative and sh*t on the parade here but it's just how I feel.

I'm usually very confident and have a belief but this team has no leadership, they seem half-arsed, Conte's cup final record is atrocious also, especially in comparison to Mourinho's.  

29 minutes ago, coco said:

97 totally different to 94 and not just the obvious that we won it, first off our run in to the final was pretty epic, especially the dismantling of Liverpool from a 0-2 losing position. Then on the day it was a real nice sunny late spring 3pm KO, Suggsy knocked up a great tune for us, we had Ruudy leading us into battle, a wonder goal, we led the whole game from start to finish, on the back of that win we went into Europe, won that, remember Vialli in the snow at Tromso, Won the CWC the League cup and super cup, beating the mighty RM.

All of a sudden Chelsea had arrived on the silverware scene, and from then to now we have been regular winners.

So thats why 97 was a massive turning point in our iiistory !!

Yes 97 was a big turning point, but for me 94 and Hoddle was the start of our turnaround. .......As far as this years Cup Final is concerned, I can't make a prediction until I have seen the demeanor of both the players and manager on the day.

Edited May 15, 20188 yr by Osgood is Good

1 minute ago, Osgood is Good said:

Yes 97 was a big turning point, but for me 94 and Hoddle was the start of our turnaround.

94/95 we heard the tremors 

97 we had the earthquake

and since then it's been a tidal wave of silverware.

https://beta.chelseafc.com/en/news/2018/5/14/extra-fa-cup-ticket-allocation-on-sale-tomorrow

 

1346 extra tickets on sale to members....

17 minutes ago, Slojo said:

I've never been so unconfident for a cup final before in my whole life, I'm sorry to be negative and sh*t on the parade here but it's just how I feel.

I'm usually very confident and have a belief but this team has no leadership, they seem half-arsed, Conte's cup final record is atrocious also, especially in comparison to Mourinho's.  

I don't think any of us are greatly confident, mate, and there can't be any reason to be,  given how the second half of this season has gone,  but at least we have sensible reasons for a bit of pessimistic downplaying, unlike some.  And, it'll make it all the better if we win :)

 

VIALLI !!!!!!

2 minutes ago, coco said:

VIALLI !!!!!!

Here’s a thought, what about Vialli coming in as assistant to whoever our new manager is.

7 minutes ago, yorkleyblue said:

I don't think any of us are greatly confident, mate, and there can't be any reason to be,  given how the second half of this season has gone,  but at least we have sensible reasons for a bit of pessimistic downplaying, unlike some.  And, it'll make it all the better if we win :)

Sometimes I think if Terry was still here in the dressing room he could have had an impact, Aston Villa are going up this season and the Villa fans already love him.

Terry was a powerful character and his influence grew with age and experience, right now we have nobody like that but Cahill, Kante and Hazard.  

I'm like you, Slojo, I have no confidence whatsoever.

I will wake up Sunday, and when the lineups come up an hour before game time, if I see Bakayoko's name in the starting lineup, I will not watch, since I have no desire to watch a match where we will inevitably lose if we play with 10 men against 11.

If Bakayoko is not in the starting lineup, I will watch, but with the feeling that we will likely get hammered by ManU.

From a super high after the Liverpool match, to this.  Very sad.

5 minutes ago, Phillip said:

I'm like you, Slojo, I have no confidence whatsoever.

I will wake up Sunday, and when the lineups come up an hour before game time, if I see Bakayoko's name in the starting lineup, I will not watch, since I have no desire to watch a match where we will inevitably lose if we play with 10 men against 11.

If Bakayoko is not in the starting lineup, I will watch, but with the feeling that we will likely get hammered by ManU.

From a super high after the Liverpool match, to this.  Very sad.

We'll have already won or lost by then - the game is Saturday!!

Like others, not over-confident but we have outplayed Man Utd for large parts this season and IF our big game players turn up on Saturday, we can and hopefully will win.

 

 

Edited May 15, 20188 yr by Nibs

Oops.  Goes to show you how much effort I have put into this match -- I don't even know when it is to be played.

Edited May 15, 20188 yr by Phillip

Just now, Phillip said:

Oops.  Goes to show you how much effort I have put into this match -- I don't even know when it is to be played.

You're not alone. Did have the chance to go this year but have so much going on at present and I'm ashamed to say, weighed it up - the travel and hassle of getting to and from Wembley and thought, sod it I will just watch on BBC with my son. That would never have happened back in the day - I'd have walked to Wembley to see us in a Cup Final - just shows how detached some of us have become from the modern game.

40 minutes ago, Phillip said:

I'm like you, Slojo, I have no confidence whatsoever.

I will wake up Sunday, and when the lineups come up an hour before game time, if I see Bakayoko's name in the starting lineup, I will not watch, since I have no desire to watch a match where we will inevitably lose if we play with 10 men against 11.

If Bakayoko is not in the starting lineup, I will watch, but with the feeling that we will likely get hammered by ManU.

From a super high after the Liverpool match, to this.  Very sad.

Not sure if you are being serious..... but pull yourself together for goodness sake (said with love). 

I think we all agree on Bakayoko, but worth remembering he was in the team that beat United this season, and the team that just beat Liverpool. 

As for getting "hammered" by United.... well anything is possible..... but If we do lose I would imagine it is far more likely that it will be via an ugly 1-0 deficit than a hammering. United don't really do hammerings under Jose. 

Ok, I’ll try..  thanks, Mclovin.

Maybe Conte and the players purposely sabotaged the last two games (knowing the dippers would easily beat seagulls) and kept his cards close to his chest with regards to tactics and players at Wembley ? Or am i grasping at straws ? If so and we win the cup, he'll have played a blinder, and outmanoeuvred the new 'master of failure'.

3 hours ago, Nibs said:

They have given that impression but we can only hope that the FA Cup still means enough for everyone to up their game.

I know it's not the competition it once was. It's the time of year where older f**kers like me have conversations about remembering FA Cups from years gone by. The whole experience - flicking over from BBC to ITV and then back again depending on what they were showing in the build-up. Saw a post on the Vintage thread showing photos of a street in 1970 - with banners wishing Chelsea good luck. That's what it was all about and sadly, it's now nothing like what it was (although no doubt it would be if some lower league clubs and their supporters make the final again at some point). But the players will no doubt have got tickets for family and friends at Wembley so we can only hope they won't want to disappoint and lets hope we make it a Final to remember for all the good reasons.

 

Agree, it's not the competition it was once. I remember as a kid the build up to the game with stuff such as It's a Knockout. Back in those days the only games live on TV were the Cup Final and the England v Scotland game. And possibly the European Cup Final. In the town where I live there were two florists. One had a floral display in the colours of one team and the other a display in the colours of the other. I think they had a bet over picking the winning team.

1994 was a sad day out. Crap weather and the dreadful refereeing from that pratt Ellary. But as others have said there was a making of a good team under Hoddle. As for 97 what a great day. One of my favourite victories.

1 hour ago, mclovin83 said:

Not sure if you are being serious..... but pull yourself together for goodness sake (said with love). 

I think we all agree on Bakayoko, but worth remembering he was in the team that beat United this season, and the team that just beat Liverpool. 

As for getting "hammered" by United.... well anything is possible..... but If we do lose I would imagine it is far more likely that it will be via an ugly 1-0 deficit than a hammering. United don't really do hammerings under Jose. 

And he was in another 30 plus games were he performed terribly in.

If Bakayoko is starting, I'm very worried I have to be honest, but at the same time who else is there to play?