Everton go into their first FA Cup semi final for 14 years when they take on Manchester United, in a repeat of the 1995 FA Cup Final, at Wembley next month.
The achievement of the Toffees making the last four of the cup has been, in part, overshadowed by David Moyes' comments on the choice of venue for the match.
"I wanted to go to Wembley but in the final not in the semi-final," stated the Scottish manager after the Toffees 2-1 quarter-final victory over Middlesbrough. "We're in the semi-final of the Cup but, while that's better than we've done before, it's not the final and it's not winning it, that's what I'd really like to do. Semi-finals should be played at neutral grounds. We should keep the final for Wembley. It's not exciting to me at all, unless it's the final."
Moyes' comments have sparked a debate between English football's traditionalists, nouveaux supporters and organisers. Like Moyes, the traditionalists demand that Wembley be reserved exclusively for the final and that grounds such as Villa Park, Old Trafford and Hillsborough stage semi-final matches, as they had done in years gone by.
The FA has been accused of diminishing the significance of reaching the final, by playing semi-finals at Wembley. With various non-league finals also now held at the stadium, some may think its as easy to get a game at the national stadium as it is on Hackney Marshes. There are concerns from a geographical perspective as whether fans from Everton and United should travel to London for a game that could easily be hosted far closer to home at Elland Road, The City of Manchester Stadium, Hillsborough or Anfield for example.
The thorny issue of money has also been raised. The FA make no secret of the fact staging semi-finals at Wembley is part of its business structure to repay the £750m+ construction of the new stadium. It is the average football supporter that has will have to foot a large proportion of that bill and while ticket prices, £25-55, are reasonable, exorbitant costs, such as £5 for a programme, £3.90 for a hot dog and £3.80 for a beer at Wembley will be hard to stomach for fans - most of whom would have had to spend £50 minimum travelling from the north to south of England too. The cheapest Manchester/Liverpool to London return is £46.50.
The issue of semi-final venue is clearly an emotive one, judging by the 400+ plus posts on a recent BBC 606 forum on the subject. The vast majority seem to disapprove of Wembley semi-finals, but a number of posters put forward good arguments in support of the FA's venue planning. The most salient argument is hosting semi-finals at Wembley will give more fans the chance to see their team play. While United and Everton could expect only 17,000 tickets each for a semi final at Anfield, Villa Park, Elland Road etc, the clubs will receive 32,000 tickets each at Wembley.
With the likelihood of an Arsenal v Chelsea match-up in the other semi-final, (though Hull City will have something to say about that) Wembley would seem the logical venue above the likes of White Hart Lane and Upton Park - both with capacities below 40,000.
The grumbling over the choice of Wembley seems to come predominately from Premier League fans. The very same supporters that were more than happy to jet to Russia to watch a Champions League final, but bemoan travelling a couple of hundred miles for an FA Cup semi-final. Playing semi-finals at Wembley will give these matches the best possible setting, which surely enhances rather than diminishes the value of the FA Cup.
Spare a thought for fans from outside the Premier League too. Last season three Championship outfits got to play at Wembley in the FA Cup semi-finals and there were no complaints from any of their supporters. While Wembley has become a corporate playground and an icon of financial excess, the bottom line is that it is by some distance, the best stadium in the UK with the capacity, views and facilities unrivalled elsewhere. All football fans dream of a trip to Wembley, especially those for whom it isn't a common occurrence. Therefore, why deny them their big day - even if it isn't for a cup final.
Like it or loathe it, Wembley semi-finals are here to stay. Having visited Wembley myself recently for the Carling Cup Final, my advice to fans would be enjoy what will be a great day, rather that lament over playing a game in front of half the amount of people elsewhere in the country. While the FA obviously has its own motives for hosting semi-finals at Wembley, real fans are the winners here as more of them get to see their side play. Despite the discontenting voices to the contrary, this has to be to most important factor.
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