Wolves vs Watford: Wolf pack ready to descend on Wembley for FA Cup semi-final
Wolves fans are hoping for a gold rush
It is an exodus that will create a trail of old gold towards the famous arch of Wembley.
And the 34,000 travelling to London this weekend will hope today's big match is just part one of their FA Cup adventure.
The last time Wolves won the cup was 1960, when a Norman Deeley double helped Wolves triumph over Blackburn.
A victory over Watford this time around would gives Wolves a final showdown against either Manchester City or Brighton.
It will be a day to remember – another high in a fantastic season for Nuno’s men.
The Express & Star has been speaking to fans who all have their own reason why it will be a special day:
Best man ducks out early for Wembley
“The bride took some convincing – but I’ve followed Wolves all my life and I’ve been waiting for a day like this forever.”
Best man Dan Smith is ducking out of his best friend’s wedding early in the hope he will see Wolves soar into the FA Cup Final.
The 22-year-old was on wedding duty in Blackpool on Saturday for the ceremony and reception, but was shooting off to Wembley first thing on Sunday morning – meaning he will miss a special evening meal for all guests that clashes with the match.
And if that wasn’t bad enough… he’s even taking the bride’s maid of honour - his girlfriend – to the game with him.
Dan, who grew up in Finchfield, said: “James, the groom, was fine with it but the bride, Amber, took a bit of persuading. But she agreed we can leave after breakfast.
“When we had the draw I was so scared it would be on Saturday and I’d have to miss it.
“I went to the third round game vs Liverpool with James and after the game I checked the semi final dates. That was when I first realised there may be a clash. Everyone said ‘don’t be silly there’s no chance we’ll get to the semis but I had a funny feeling we would do it.
“If it had been on the same day, I would have just been watching the game on my phone under the table which the bride wouldn’t have been very happy about!”
He added: “I’ve been a Wolves fan my whole life, and the majority of that we’ve not been very good. I’ve been waiting for a day like this forever. It’ll just be the greatest day, whether we win or lose.
“It’ll be one to tell the grandkids in the future.”
Dan, who now lives in Leeds after attending university there, is also stealing the maid of honour away from the wedding early.
He added: “My girlfriend Shannon is the maid of honour, and I’ve sort of turned her into a Wolves fan so she’s coming with me.
“We’ll be meeting my dad David and his mate Kerry, who’s flying in from Scotland.
“It’s just the biggest game I’ve ever been to. I’ll never forgive my dad for not taking me to the play-off finals in 2003 so this is the next biggest game.”
Dan, who works at Sky Bet, has even weaved a line into his best man speech thanking the bride for letting him leave early to catch the game.
Predicting a 2-1 win, he added: “It will just be amazing. We’ve never got to a final in my lifetime – so this will be a massive game in the history of Wolves.
“I’m keeping my fingers crossed.”
But what do the happy couple really think about Dan’s plans to race off from the wedding early?
Groom James Yates told the Express & Star: “We appreciate that with having Dan as our best man, his love for Wolves comes too, we just hope he forgets his scarf on our big day.”
And bride Amber Banks added: “At first I was disappointed that they would be leaving early, as they are getting out of helping us pack down.
“But I’m pleased that we will get to share Dan’s excitement during breakfast. I just hope he’s as excited on the Saturday morning as he is on the Sunday.”
Cup tie sparks family football rivalry
Scott Mathers is a huge Watford fan, but his son, Oliver, supports Wolves.
So the FA Cup semi-final is sure to be a lively affair for the family.
Scott, 40, a web design manager, lives in Bridgnorth, but is originally from Watford and has supported the Hornets his entire life.
He moved to the West Midlands with his wife Tanya, whose family are from the area.
Scott said, “I started going to Watford when I was 13 and had a season ticket until I was 30, but when my wife was pregnant she decided she wanted to move closer to home.
“All of Oliver’s mates at school are Wolves fans, so he didn’t have a choice really. His first game was Wolves vs Watford about four years ago, which ended in a draw. Since then, we’ve both had season tickets.”
Even though Oliver is only nine, they still have lots of football banter.
Scott said that when Wolves played Watford at Molineux in October, Oliver was telling him Wolves would win easily, but Watford ran out 2-0 winners.
Scott admitted he will have divided loyalties during the semi-final.
He may have supported Watford since he was born, but his son and the rest of his family will all be cheering on Wolves during the cup clash.
“Of course I want Watford to win, I’ve followed them for years and to see them win the cup would be fantastic, but it would be great for Oliver to see Wolves win at Wembley.
“We’re sitting in the Wolves section. I think it would be unfair for Oliver to not be able to celebrate if Wolves won, so I had to choose the Wolves end,” he said.
One thing that will motivate Scott to cheer on the Hornets this weekend, is the taunts he has been getting from friends.
“They told me I’m not a proper Watford fan anymore, I should support Wolves, that kind of thing. It was really difficult trying to hold back my smugness when we won in October,” he said.
Fan to make trip from Qatar
Laky Chhina is spending £3,000 to make the journey from Qatar to Wembley for the game.
Setting off on Saturday and returning home on Monday, Mr Chhina is taking precious time off work to be at the ground for Wolves’ first FA Cup semi-final in 20 years.
Born and bred in Wolverhampton, Mr Chhina has always been a Wolves fan and is elated to have got a ticket.
He said: “I couldn’t miss it, just couldn’t. Being born in the city, I had to come back to support the lads.
“Fingers crossed we win and I’m back for the final.”
Mr Chhina will be catching a seven-hour flight from Doha to Birmingham before travelling down to Wembley with Kingswinford Wolves.
It is a hugely expensive journey, which will take around 12 hours in total, but Mr Chhina sees it as more than worthwhile for a chance to see Wolves win at Wembley.
Mr Chhina was born in Wednesfield, but left to take a job with Deloitte in Qatar.
He lives in Qatar with his wife and two children, who he has brought up as Wolves fans.
Kenny’s Wolves pride
A Wolves legend is ‘cherishing’ the club’s immense season and hopes Nuno’s men can triumph at Wembley.
Club hero Kenny Hibbitt is backing his old club to make history by reaching their first FA Cup final since 1960, where they defeated Blackburn Rovers 3-0.
After lauding the boys in old gold and black as favourites against Manchester United in the quarter finals, Kenny has a ‘strong feeling’ the club can go a step further and reach the final on May 18.
He said: “We have a wonderful opportunity for us to get through and Wembley is a fantastic day out.”
“When the club is successful, the city is successful.
“I have loved every minute of being in the city this season and I’ll cherish this for the rest of my life,” he added.
