Adventures in the FA Cup
Words: Gregor Ryl
Images: Gregor Ryl
As a german visitor to English football, the FA Cup is a perfect fit.
A packed schedule with matches over just a few days, somewhat affordable tickets, and clubs ranging from the Premier League down to League One.
This led us to a four day, third round-trip at the beginning of January to experience the oldest cup competition in the world.
While planning the trip, we realized we could kick things off at Goodison Park. One of the last ever games to visit at this beauty. Brilliant!
We arrived in Liverpool on Thursday morning and decided to spend the day checking out the new home of Everton at Bramley Moore Dock. I bet, there are plenty of sad Toffees, as the club is leaving Goodison Park.
But there’s also this Lady behind the bar of the “Bramley Moore”, a pub right across the new stadium. Her eyes, when she talked about the upcoming seasons and people drinking in the blocked-off street in front of her pub: priceless.
©Gregor Ryl/ Terrace Edition. Everton FC.
You know your’re in England, when people are rocking shorts even though it’s -2°C. We saw a few of these guys on our way to Goodison Park.
We had our last pint before the game in a pub next to the stadium, when something happened, what I never witnessed before. “Sean Dyche’s been sacked!” a young Evertonian translated the fresh notification from his phone with a confused look on his face – it was two hours before kick-off.
Compared to the match on the field, the experience of Goodison Park wasn’t mediocre at all.
The wooden seats in the main stand, history and passion in every corner, and the electric atmosphere even in a routine 2-0 win against Peterborough. Thank you Goodison!
On Friday we headed to Birmingham. Aston Villa’s match against West Ham was also the celebration of the 150th birthday of the club.
As a German football fan you don’t usually come to England for the loud chants on the terraces but Aston Villa’s “Holte End” proved me wrong.
©Gregor Ryl/ Terrace Edition. Aston Villa FC.
Solid support, funny songs and a lovely number of pints – served as a club’s present for just £1.50 - turned the game around in just seven minutes made a 2-1 win for Villa and sent the claret and blue faithful into a frenzy.
That’s how you do it!
The wonderful city of Birmingham allowed us to catch a second match, he next day at St. Andrew’s.
Birmingham City is not just another League One club. For me as Borussia Dortmund supporter it’s also the origin club of Jude Bellingham who greeted me from a mural next to the ticket office. Cheers mate.
12:30 is a tough kick-off-time. Nevertheless the beer before hit the spot.
©Gregor Ryl/ Terrace Edition. Birmingham City FC.
One half, a goal in the first minute and a few typical hearty english chants towards the Lincoln City supporters later, we made our way to Nottingham, not wanting to miss the kick-off at city ground against Luton Town.
And as the Forest fans are singing my desire was: “Always to be here”. What an atmosphere! Not least because everyone in the stands was on their feet, something I’ve rarely experienced in English football stadiums.
”These guys are full of sh*it”, a Forest fan behind me described away end in a rather poetic manner, which I can’t say about the pubs of Nottingham where we celebrated the home win.
Sunday took us to Ipswich for our final fixture at Portman Road. A sunny day, a lovely stadium, and a bit of a comedy show from the Bristol Rovers supporters, as they entertained us with their 90-minute Ed Sheeran banter. The 3:0 defeat couldn’t stop them.
All in all: It’s always worth it to visit the FA Cup, meeting people, enjoying the atmosphere and soaking up every little bit of history of the oldest Cup competition in the world.
©Gregor Ryl/ Terrace Edition. Ipswich Town FC.
©Gregor Ryl/ Terrace Edition. Nottingham Forest FC.
©Gregor Ryl/ Terrace Edition. Everton pub.
©Gregor Ryl/ Terrace Edition. Everton FC.
©Gregor Ryl/ Terrace Edition. Birmingham City FC.
©Gregor Ryl/ Terrace Edition. Aston Villa FC.
©Gregor Ryl/ Terrace Edition. Aston Villa FC.
©Gregor Ryl/ Terrace Edition. Ipswich Town FC.
Gregor is on Instagram: @ryliker_
