Crystal Palace have lost their previous two FA Cup finals, in 1990 and 2016 The jubilant scenes that greeted the final whistle of Crystal Palace's FA Cup semi-final win over Aston Villa soon gave way to a scramble for tickets to the match that can't be missed. For most Palace fans,the commute to Wembley Stadiumwill be relatively straightforward. But for others, it will be a labour of love as the Eagles take on Manchester City bidding to win their first major trophy. Ross Phillips, 39, grew up in Australia with English parents. But the connection he felt to his mum's Croydon roots solidified on holiday to England in 1994, when he first visited Selhurst Park. "It was an amazing feeling, hearing football fans singing live for the first time," he told BBC Sport. "As soon as mum showed me her old school in South Norwood I had this community feeling and a special place in my heart. This club was for me and I've been addicted ever since." Ross has now lived in 10 different countries, including Ukraine for the last two years as an English teacher. With no flights in and out of Kyiv since the start of the war, he's had to take a 10-hour train to Lviv near the Polish border, a separate four-hour train to Krakow and finally a three-hour flight to London. "It's a nightmare, it's so tiring just to get out of Kiev with all the military stops and trains" he says. Despite the tribulations though, it was unthinkable that he would ever skip this game. "We don't make the final often and I'll live my life in regret if I miss them lifting their first piece of silverware. If they beat City I would die a happy man." You can watch the BBC's live FA Cup final coverage from 15:25 BST on Saturday on BBC One, BBC iPlayer and online, and listen live on BBC Radio 5 Live. This video can not be played How Crystal Palace reached the FA Cup final Season ticket holder Jack Dunn, 30, managed to bag himself one ticket for the final - but when his 16-year-old brother Johnny said he also wanted to come, he knew what he had to do. Johnny was born in England but emigrated with their dad, Gavin, to Adelaide, Australia in 2014 and hasn't been back since. In 2019, Gavin died suddenly in his sleep from a brain aneurysm. Johnny was only 10. This trip is the first time he's ever flown alone. "He' s only ever been to one game when he was four and this is the first game since Dad died, so let's hope he's the lucky charm" says Jack. He will take Johnny to Wembley to meet friends but, if he can't source a ticket he'll watch the match in a pub nearby: "I was sat in a queue for an hour to get that ticket - but giving it up is what you do for family. Hopefully Palace can win it for our dad." Johnny isn't the only one flying in from down under. Nigel Moore is an IT consultant living in New Zealand. He was born in Sutton, south London, and has travelled to England with his 13-year-old son Alfie, who is missing a week-and-a-half of school. Their journey to London has taken 30 hours, with flights costing more than £2,000. Nigel has also spent £2,000 for three tickets from a resale website, after they missed out in the ballot, but says the expense will all be worth it. "The thought of Palace winning and me not being there scares me more than than the positive thoughts seeing them win would give me," Nigel said. "From a family perspective it's massive. It's great having Alfie to come and see my cousins and brother, especially when you live so far away. "I feel fortunate I'm in a position when I can try and ignore the cost of it to give Alfie something he'll always remember." Nigel Moore and son Alfie have travelled from New Zealand for the final Not all fans are born-and-bred south Londoners. Zane Gresback, 41, and his wife Angelike are travelling from South Carolina for only their second Palace match in person, leaving their 21-month-old daughter for the first time. "In 2015 I was working in Xiamen, China, and went to a pub one evening called the Londoner," says Zane. "Palace were on TV playing Stoke. One year later, on holiday to Dominican Republic, I think I counted 20 different Palace fans from either their wardrobe or tattoos. The club just kind of kept choosing me." Most American fans choose a big-six club, but not Zane: "I wanted to pick an underdog club just because that's been my background - grittiness and hard work to make it is a big sense of pride. So as I learned more about Palace, the club meant something deeply to me on that level. "We just worship Palace and have been so embraced by the fanbase. The final is more like a celebration of togetherness. We want to see a trophy raised, but regardless, it's about seeing these friends from a million miles away, brought together by football." The family and friends of Dena Collins, a Crystal Palace fan who died two years ago, will wear Dena's name on their shirts at the final Regardless of the result, it will be an emotional day for the family and friends of Dena Collins. Dena was a season ticket holder at Selhurst Park but the primary school teacher from Eltham, south London, died two years ago from an undiagnosed blood clot, the day after being discharged from hospital. Stephanie Brewer, who went to games home and away with her, said: "Dena's death broke our hearts. It's a cliche but she lit up a room, she bled red and blue. I've never met any fan who loves the club the way she did." Stephanie, along with at least 10 other friends and family members, will wear Dena's name proudly on their shirts at the final, just as they did for the semi-final, along with the number 28 - the age she was when she died. They will also have masks, tattoos and cushions with her face on them. "I think it brings us a bit of peace to know she's with us at the game," adds Stephanie. "Wembley is so special, she'd have loved the final. I think it would be amazing if we win and a comfort to think that Dena's still here with us, when it happens."
Palace fans scramble from around world for FA Cup final
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Crystal Palace Fans Worldwide Prepare for FA Cup Final Against Manchester City"
Bbc News
7.2
TruthLens AI Summary
Crystal Palace supporters are gearing up for an emotional and historic FA Cup final against Manchester City, hoping to secure the club's first major trophy. Following a thrilling semi-final victory over Aston Villa, fans worldwide are racing to secure their tickets to Wembley Stadium. For many, including Ross Phillips, a 39-year-old English teacher from Australia, the journey to the final is a testament to their unwavering dedication to the club. Ross, who has lived in multiple countries and faced significant travel hurdles due to the war in Ukraine, expressed that missing this opportunity would lead to lifelong regret. His journey to London involved navigating military checkpoints and lengthy train rides, but he remains committed to witnessing this pivotal moment in Crystal Palace's history, stating, "If they beat City, I would die a happy man."
The anticipation surrounding the final is also deeply personal for many fans, as seen in stories like that of Jack Dunn, who is bringing his brother Johnny to the match. This marks Johnny's first game since their father's passing, and Jack is determined to make it a memorable experience for him. Similarly, Nigel Moore traveled from New Zealand with his son, spending significant amounts on tickets and travel, motivated by the desire to create lasting memories. The emotional weight of the match is further highlighted by tributes from friends and family of Dena Collins, a dedicated supporter who passed away two years ago. They plan to honor her memory by wearing her name at the final. For many fans, this match transcends football; it represents a celebration of community, family, and shared passion, regardless of the outcome on the pitch.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article highlights the emotional connection of Crystal Palace fans to their team as they prepare for the FA Cup final against Manchester City. Through personal anecdotes, it paints a picture of the lengths supporters will go to in order to witness this crucial match, particularly for those with a historical attachment to the club.
Purpose of the Article
The narrative aims to evoke a sense of community and passion among football fans. By sharing personal stories, such as that of Ross Phillips, the article emphasizes the significance of the match not just for the team, but for fans who have built their identities around their support for Crystal Palace. This approach fosters a collective sentiment of anticipation and resilience among the fanbase, suggesting that attending the final is a rite of passage for supporters.
Community Sentiment
By showcasing the dedication of fans traveling from various parts of the world, the article cultivates a perception of loyalty and emotional investment in the club. It reinforces the idea that football is more than just a sport; it is a shared experience that binds individuals to their roots and to each other. The mention of a fan's challenging journey to attend the match further underscores the lengths to which supporters will go, creating a narrative of perseverance.
Information Transparency
While the article is rich in personal accounts, it does not delve into the broader implications of the event, such as the economic impact or the significance of the match in the context of the team's history. This could suggest a deliberate focus on emotional storytelling rather than a comprehensive analysis of the event's implications. There is no indication that the article is hiding information; instead, it seems to prioritize evoking emotion over factual depth.
Manipulative Aspects
The article's emotive language and focus on individual stories may lead readers to feel a heightened sense of urgency and significance about attending the match. However, this is not necessarily manipulative in a negative sense, as it aligns with the nature of sports journalism, which often seeks to capture the passion of the fan experience.
Comparative Context
Compared to other sports-related articles, this piece stands out for its personal touch. While many articles focus on statistics or game predictions, this one humanizes the experience, appealing to a broader audience who may identify with the themes of loyalty and dedication.
Impact on Society and Economy
The excitement surrounding the FA Cup final can boost local economies, particularly in terms of travel, hospitality, and merchandise sales. The narrative could encourage increased attendance and viewership, which may have positive financial implications for the club and its sponsors.
Audience Engagement
The article resonates particularly with football enthusiasts and supporters of Crystal Palace, as well as individuals who appreciate stories of dedication and community. It aims to engage readers who value personal connections to sports, making it accessible to a wider audience beyond just die-hard fans.
Market Influence
While the article may not directly influence stock markets, the heightened interest in the FA Cup final can impact related businesses, such as hospitality services and merchandise sales. Investors may take note of the potential economic benefits surrounding major sporting events.
Geopolitical Relevance
There is no direct connection to global power dynamics in this article; however, it does reflect broader themes of community and identity that resonate amid political uncertainties, such as those faced by fans traveling from conflict zones.
AI Influence
It is unlikely that AI was used in the writing of this article, as it maintains a personal tone and narrative style that typically reflects human experiences and emotions. If AI were employed, it might have influenced the structure and flow of the storytelling rather than the content itself.
In summary, the article presents a heartfelt account of fan dedication while focusing on emotional connections. It successfully captures the spirit of the occasion but does not delve deeply into other implications, maintaining a strong narrative focus. The reliability of the article is supported by its use of personal stories, though it may lack broader context.