FA Cup: Bringing The City Together

The draw for the Third Round of this year’s FA Cup was carried out this week. Villa were drawn out of the hat as the home side and will face either Woking F.C. or Peterborough United F.C. The tie will take place on Saturday 6^th January as was confirmed by the club on Twitter today.

However, the draw has provided West Midlands Police with a headache. Our closest rivals, Birmingham City, have also been drawn at home. They will face another ‘local’ outfit, Burton Albion in their Third Round tie. Both games will begin at 3pm, ensuring the city will be full of football fans. Because of the fierce rivalry between the two sets of fans, only one side normally plays at home on the same day.

Despite that, we’re sure that nothing could go wrong…

Imagine the FA Cup scene, it’s matchday! A magical feeling permeates the skies around the second-city. It’s 6^th January 2018 and everybody is recovered from their New Year’s hangovers. Most fans have not even had a drink for a couple of days, but today, self-prohibition will end in celebration of the introduction of this year’s FA Cup to the city.

 As the morning progresses, the city begins to buzz with numerous fans from both sides of the city as well as the visiting supporters. Despite being ‘on it’ since breakfast, both Villa and Blues fans embrace and smile as they meet in the city-centre, jovially discussing the latter’s impending relegation. Some even exchange drinks in what could be seen as a late Christmas Armistice. A loudmouth in the corner makes a derogatory comment about a rival fan’s sister…both just smile and begin to roll around on the floor laughing.

 As the fans disperse from the pubs to head to the grounds, they come together in other areas of the city. Some fans head toward New Street Station, where great crowds of supporters gather at the ticket gates.

“After you,” gestures a Bluenose.

“Ta very much,” the honourable Villan replies, “good luck today!”.

The queues flow freely and other users of the railway are able to go about their travel with minimal delay (in a similar vein of satirical thought, all trains would be running on-time, with no cancellations, strikes or maintenance work).

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At half-time, the scores from the other FA Cup fixtures are read. The city of Birmingham records a minor earthquake as both sets of rival supporters celebrate the other’s success at half-time. Blues have scored seven against Burton Albion whilst Villa have put their opponent to the sword already.

 At full-time, however, the tables have turned. After a memorable comeback, Burton Albion have reached the Fourth Round of the FA Cup. The same two fans reconvene in New Street Station. The Villan gives the Bluenose a commiserating hug and offers “…come on mate, we’d better get you a drink”. 

Unfortunately for the authorities, I think they may have a more stressful day in reality…