Shepherd slams Cardiff cup move Newcastle United chairman Freddy Shepherd has hit out at the decision to stage next year's FA Cup Final at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium. The Magpies have spent #75million increasing the capacity at St James' Park to 51,000 and Shepherd feels that they, or another English club, should have been given the chance to stage the showpiece event while Wembley is out of action. He told the Sunday Mirror: "We will be asking the FA to consider St James' as a venue for the World Cup qualifiers after Wembley closes for rebuilding and for future FA Cup finals. "It doesn't make sense that England has so many world-class grounds yet the FA wants to take the Cup Final to Wales. "When England were bidding for the 2006 World Cup we rightly claimed to have 10 or 12 top-class grounds, yet next May the world will see the FA Cup Final being played in a different country. "All the FA have to do is name three top English grounds - ours, Old Trafford and Sunderland's Stadium of Light, for example - before the competition starts, then as soon as one club is knocked out they can confirm the venue. "I'm sure the vast majority of fans would prefer the final to stay in England."

Yes, Freddie but don't forget that Wrexham, Swansea and Cardiff also play in the Fa Cup, and a re members of the football league. As a fan, I'm happy that the Cup goes to the place with the biggest capacity so more fans get in.

Yeah, St James' a gret idea. 51,000 capacity, of which about 30,000 tickets will go to the corporate sponsors, I think he's just after a cup final ticket. Divvent worry, Freddie, you'll get one! You'll get one cos Bobby will make sure we get to the final this year!

-- Anonymous, July 23, 2000