Scottish Cup final 2003, Rangers v Dundee.

[26th of foot 5,833]

Listening to Jum Spence, Tom English, Richard Gordon, Stuart Cosgrove,................................ and Stephen Thompson all chorus the caveat, "this not about Rangers" reminded me of the events leading up to the 2003 Scottish Cup final between Rangers and Dundee.

 

Eleven short years past, ra Sellik were on the road to Suvul You must remember? The riot in Vigo Airport, the plane diverted to Cardiff, 28 Banning Orders(remains the highest in UK for a single game) issued after those green'n'grey hooped hordes stormed the main gates at Ewood Park, and the culmination of Jose's Porto leaving TGFITW all hot and bothered in Andalucía. We won the League Cup final, a 2-1 against ra Yahoos and the delicious detail contained a last minute Hartson penalty miss and Lennon dismissed from the field of play. We had secured the Championship on the last day by thumping Dunfermline 6-1 at Ibrox, Neil McCann's second half contribution must never be forgotten. Similarly, Chris Sutton's bitter and twisted reaction at Rugby Park should be recalled. Big Eck's Rangers were a week away from securing a treble.

 

At the beginning of May(3 weeks before), the finalists known and those cuddly stills, the Marr Brothers began an attempt to ensure a 50/50 split at Hampden on the big day. Evidence of a honed campaign soon became obvious as Spence, Gordon, Cosgrove, Nevin and Keevins sang from the same hymn sheet. There was anxiety in ensuring the caveat, "it's not about Rangers" was utilised, because that allowed a flow of phrases designed to convince the neutral ie sense of fairness, sporting integrity, level playing field, and spirit of competition. A wave of momentum saw the SFA agree to a 50/50 split.

 

Despite empirical evidence showing/proving the Dark Blue support would not consume a 21,000 allocation, the usual suspects exercised unbridled joy. Of course, "it's not about Rangers" was a Trojan Horse to ensure regular attending Bears were denied access at the preference of empty seats. The, and so it transpired was inevitable, the official attendance that day was 47,136, just under 5,000 short of capacity. Some of the usual suspects had the neck to complain that Dundee should have sold the North Stand tickets first, 3-4,000 empty seats clearly visible just to the right of the centre line was a TV embarrassment. The 3-4,000 Bears standing outside remained non-plussed as to such crass observation.

 

After the event and big Amo's header had secured the cup and treble, the only comments were along the lines of ensuring cup finals were better organised, the 50/50 split was here to stay.

 

The Scottish Cup final of 2004 was between ra Sellik and Dunfermline Athletic. The attendance was 51, 835. Dunfermline's allocation was 13,000 and they returned 1,800 of those to waiting Yahoos.

 

The 50/50 split and fairness have been conveniently ignored this last decade reference national finals. Obviously, Jum found himself stumbling around Pacific Quay Room 101, found the Manual entitled, 'Euphemisms for absolute Hatred of all things Rangers", turned to the chapter, "It's not about Rangers", and called dearest Stephen. It's a campaign that has so far ignored the further empirical evidence provided by the reality of the 2003 Scottish Cup final.

[BlueMazza 0]

This is the thing though, if it was a final, I could *almost* understand - and DU have taken along more fans to a final. But it's not, it's a semi final. Where it being held at Porkhead, we'd get the majority allocation (after thoroughly cleansing the seats) by default.

[Zappa 0]

Some great points made as always 26th!

[the gunslinger 3,366]

i do love to read 26th posts?

 

were you covananter in a past life?

[26th of foot 5,833]

i do love to read 26th posts?

 

were you covananter in a past life?

 

I am always Covenanter.