FA Cup Final Over Vegas
Bill Shankly once said “Some people believe football is a matter of life and death, I am very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that”.
It’s probably one of the most oft misquoted managerial quotations and the truest.
In 8 days time Arsenal will take to the hallowed turf at Wembley in search of a record 12th FA Cup win and the 6th of Arsène Wenger’s reign out of his 7 finals. It also happens to be my cousin’s stag do in Las Vegas!
When Aston Villa knocked Liverpool out a part of me was glad we would miss the Gerrard last game love-in but I was also sad not to be playing Liverpool because that is my cousin’s team and I would say our shared love of football and rivalry has unpinned the foundation of the closeness of our relationship.
He never believed Liverpool would the cup final and he was right, so he planned his dream stag do in Vegas for the weekend before his wedding. I always believed Arsenal could make it so refused to confirm my attendance until such time we were knocked out.
I was told a few days before the FA Cup quarter final against Manchester United I needed to finalise my booking and pay the balance on the account but I wasn’t willing to spend money on a trip I wouldn’t go on if there was the smallest chance I could get tickets for the FA Cup final.
Arsenal beat United and then Reading to make it all the way to the final and I don’t regret for one second my decision to stay in the UK. I wasn’t lucky enough to get a ticket when they were released but I won’t give up until the last minute. My friends all think I’m crazy for turning down a trip to Vegas but I don’t feel like I’m missing out.
My cousin said I was mad to miss the booking deadline and lose my deposit and that a game of football wasn’t more important than his stag do. I reminded him of Shankly’s quote –a man he grew up revering – and now he jumps to my defence when anyone in the family chides me.
I’ll check out a few of the best casino bonuses in honour of my cousin’s stag do and I’ll certainly down my share of beers here out of respect.
I’m sad to be missing my cousin’s stag do, he’s been more like one of my best friends, and the trip of a lifetime but Arsenal are going to Wembley and I wouldn’t miss that for the world!
