Reggie's back from Cardiff

The Millennium Stadium

A chance to see how the other half live was gratefully accepted by the Holdsworth family who won an all expenses paid trip to the FA Cup Final with hospitality in a private box.

The Half Time Oranges Competition ran on the Internet throughout the FA Cup with questions after the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th rounds. Ultimately it resulted in a draw for those who got all the questions correct.

The weekend began on Friday with a cross country train journey to Bristol, which took the best part of five hours, but it certainly beat driving. Our hotel in the centre of Bristol was, not surprisingly, full of Cockney's of both the red and blue persuasion.

Just an hour to Cardiff on Saturday morning and into the streets of the Welsh capital, which were already heaving with Arsenal and Chelsea fans, although it went a bit quieter at 11am when the pubs opened.

Motty with the kids

We made our way to the magnificent stadium for 12 noon and were directed to our box for a champagne reception. On entering we were greeted by a familiar face who introduced himself as John Motson.

Motty was nothing to do with our box, he was just catching some peace and quiet to run through his notes for the match. It did offer us the first opportunity for an autograph and photo with the kids, who were unaware that they were in the same room as a commentary legend.

There was an eerie silence on our balcony, with the stadium empty apart from a couple of stewards wandering around. The main gates would not open until 1pm so we had an hour to take in the surroundings and relax with a few (several) glasses of champers and some nibbles.

Our box was next door to the BBC MOTD studio and next door but one to the Sky Sports studio, needless to say the corridors were awash with celebs. The autograph hunters were out in force but we managed to get a few of the big names who were milling around, Gary Lineker, Andy Gray, Ray Wilkins, Peter Schmeichel, Alan Shearer (boo) and Steve Redgrave to name a few.

The match gets underway

The wine was flowing as we enjoyed out four course pre-match meal, it set us up nicely to sit back and watch the match. The first half was disappointing and the atmosphere wasn't much better. The Chelsea fans probably edged it but they weren't anything to write home about.

Coffee (or wine) and biscuits was waiting for us at half time as we retired to the comfort of our box.

The second half was an improvement, obviously helped by two tremendous goals by Arsenal in front of their own fans. The Chelsea fans headed for the exits in their thousands as the game drew to a close and there was probably only half of them left when the final whistle blew.

After the presentaions we continued with our after-match buffet and cracked open the lager. It was weird as the eerie silence that filled the stadium at 12 noon returned.

And then there was silence

Upon leaving the stadium, just after 6.30pm we headed back to Bristol for the last fews beers.

Surprisingly it was the Chelsea fans who were more upbeat taunting the 'boring boring' Arsenal fans with 'do you know you've won the cup?' and 'can we sing a song for you?'.

A leisurely stroll round a cool and quiet Bristol city centre blew away the makings of a hangover before we boarded the train for our journey home.

Looking back I'm glad that it wasn't Boro in the final because we would have missed out on the atmosphere in and around the city centre and stadium. But one thing is for sure I can't wait to return when Boro do make it because I think it beats Wembley hands down.

Many thanks to the BBC and the hospitality of Rebecca Gardiner who made us feel so welcome. I would recommend that you all enter next years competition because you know what they say "you've got to be in it to win it", and I did.

You don't know what you're missing.