This weekend, fans, officials and players from four clubs will travel to London to watch their side compete in the FA Cup semi-finals. Bolton Wanderers, Manchester City, Manchester United and Stoke City will make the trip to Wembley - and will now also have to contend with likely delays on the M1.
I don't always agree with Sir Alex Ferguson, but on this he is absolutely right. It is ridiculous for these clubs to tramp down to the capital; Stoke, the nearest to London, is a 300-mile round trip. Of course, two of the teams will have to do it all again for the final.
And, as the FA fights to maintain the Cup's place in English football - dishing out fines to managers such as Blackpool's Ian Holloway for not fielding a full strength team - it is compliant in killing much of the romance of the tournament's latter stages. It goes against traditional footballing instincts for fans to be able to sing "Que sera, sera, we're going to Wem-ber-ley..." at a quarter-final.
What was wrong with the semi-finals being played at Anfield or Villa Park? The Wembley showcase final is less of an occasion if the teams have already been there. And if Manchester United beat City, and also get to the Champions' League final, their fans will be thoroughly sick of it!
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