Wembley Way

Next Saturday the first cup final at the new Wembley?

Nope - today was the first one and I had a ticket to see Kidderminster Harriers take on Stevenage Borough in the FA Trophy, the prime cup competition for non-league clubs.

I like non-league football and have seen both of these clubs at their own grounds - for a couple of years one local Boxing Day derby used to be Hitchin Town v Stevenage, and I've been to Kiddie and also seen them knock Birmingham out of the FA Cup in a third round giant killing a few years back - so I knew what to expect. Mind you it was still weird to leave the tube station and be bombarded with Black Country accents.

Outside the ground it was good to see the crowds looking at the new Booby Moore statue, and the walk up Olympic Way towards the stadium and arch was impressive.

The match was pretty good too - Kiddie taking a 2 goal first half lead for Stevenage to fight back and, just as extra time was looming and with Kiddie missing an equaliser in the final seconds of injury time, snatch victory 3-2. Both teams played decent quality football and this level always gives the fan a chance to see some young up and coming talent alongside the twilight years of a couple of quality older pros - Jeff Kenna was playing for Kiddie with Steve Guppy in the Stevenage line up.

Overall a good game and the 53,000 plus fans made the most of it - complete with the obligatory Mexican waves.

What of the expensive stadium? Well, it's OK. I was in the second row from the back and couldn't complain about the view and the toilet facilities are fine - both of which were major issues at the older Wembley. The noise generated by the fans was great and the place will really rock with a full house. Also the stewarding and policing were excellent and I got away from the ground and onto the tube quickly and easily. But.?.?

Well - the catering facilties are poor - they are pricey, seemed surprised that people wanted to eat and took way too long to serve people - ditto the bars. There also isn't that much circulation room in the concourses and I couldn't find a litter bin all day. Seats and leg room are OK but the boast that every seat 'has more leg room than those of the old Royal Box' is a bit hollow - let's just say the Royals must have had as little room as the fans at the old ground. The biggest problem is the PA system is appalling and would shame a very minor non-league ground - I didn't hear a clear annoucement all afternoon.

Are these minor gripes? Perhaps. But this is a new ground which has cost milions and been very delayed. Hopefully many are 'teething' troubles but who knows - if you're going to the FA Cup Final then I'd recommend eating beforehand or prepare for a long wait. However, the biggest problem for the ground is its location. Wembley is a stadium next to an industrial park and some retail outlets - there is nothing else to do around there. Compare the situation to Cardiff - the Millenium Stadium is superb, atmospheric, well run and smack in the centre of Cardiff. When I went to a FA Cup semi final there a couple of years ago I had a wander round the city and got some food before the match - within 40mins of the final whistle I was sat with friends in a bar overlooking Cardiff Bay. For Wembley the temptations of IKEA and the Brent Cross Shopping Centre are a poor substitute.

Don't get me wrong - it was a great day, a great match and it's a great stadium.

I just prefer Cardiff.