Rochdale Online Staff Enjoy the Carling Cup Final

Reporter: Jan Harwood
Date online: 27/02/2006

Rochdale Online employees Brad Journeaux, Claire Blanthorn and Jan Harwood took in the ultimate domestic footballing experience when they visited Cardiff for the Carling Cup Final on Sunday. It was an experience they won’t forget. Claire, a Rochdale fan, got a sense of the big time as she took in the atmosphere of the magnificent Millennium Stadium whilst Brad cheered his side, Manchester United, on to victory and looked on in awe at the talents of man-of-the match Wayne Rooney.

Manchester United lifted their 19th major trophy of Sir Alex Ferguson’s reign in the Carling Cup Final at the Millennium Stadium and Rochdale Online was there to see them do it. United won the League Cup comfortably against Wigan Athletic who were competing in their first major final.

Brad got a sense of expectation as hoards of United fans gathered outside the stadium singing and kicking footballs in the air whilst Wigan supporters were not to be outdone, creating a carnival atmosphere before the game.

Nearly 70,000 people had flocked to Cardiff and the Rochdale Online employees felt privileged to be a part of that number.

Claire spoke about the atmosphere before the game, “I was surprised by all the United fans singing outside the ground. I was expecting a lot of people but there was a strong atmosphere well before the game started. There was no trouble between the two sets of supporters even though there were so many of them – it was more good natured than I expected.”

Claire continued, “I’ve never been part of such a large crowd before and it’s something I’d love to experience again. How good would it be if Rochdale could make it to the Play-Off final? It would just be fantastic, this has made me realise what Dale fans are missing out on!” Claire was impressed by the excitement of the Cup Final but seemed overawed by the sheer size of the stadium as she sat in the top tier of stadium amongst the Wigan supporters; “The day itself was exciting, seeing all the fans with painted faces, wigs and flags. The stadium is very impressive but I felt very detached from the game. It didn't feel real to me because we were so far away.”

Sitting with his fellow Manchester United fans, Brad had an enjoyable experience made all the more sweet by his team’s victory and he described his day, “It was a great occasion, nothing beats the atmosphere of a cup final, especially when it’s two North West teams competing for the trophy. It’s a long way to travel, but the Millennium stadium plays an excellent host for such an occasion.”

United won the game thanks to a first half strike from Rooney and then three second half goals in the space of seven minutes from Saha, Ronaldo and Rooney once more. Wigan started the second half strongly but the three quick goals ended their chances and secured the cup for United. The final half hour was played out with the result never in doubt as United relaxed, knowing that the cup was won. Wigan deserved a consolation for battling to the end and their fans cheered them all the way to the final whistle but it was United who lifted the trophy, much to Brad’s delight, “Wigan played their part, but at times clearly looked overawed with the occasion, and on the day United were by far the better team in a one sided cup final - and no defence in the world could have coped with Rooney on that form.”

Claire was less enthused by the game, “The worst part was the match itself because it was an anti-climax. Everything that built up to the match was great but then it was too easy for Man U – the first half was dull then all of a sudden it was all over with the quick goals and I felt sorry for the Wigan fans who cheered their team on right to the end.”

Brad was obviously delighted with his team’s emphatic victory and with the celebrations when the United players paraded the trophy in front of the fans whilst Claire struggled to come to terms with having to watch “a Subbuteo match” from so far away compared to being next to the action at smaller grounds, “I would recommend the experience to everyone, but I'd rather be watching Rochdale play here. As a neutral it was hard for me to feel a part of the occasion." It was certainly an enjoyable occasion with a great atmosphere in magnificent surroundings, maybe some day Rochdale will get their chance!