In spite of English football being a plutocracy it still produces marvellous narratives. Last weekend the two FA Cup semi finals were played at the new Wembley stadium. This year’s cup is notable in that of the four sides that made the semis, three were non-Premier League (West Bromwich Albion, Barnsley and Cardiff City). Moreover, the one Premier League side was Portsmouth.

Somewhat surprisingly, these clubs have previously won the cup; Barnsley in 1912, Cardiff in 1927, Portsmouth in 1939, and West Brom five times, most recently in 1968. For supporters of these clubs, playing in the cup final is a once in a lifetime event. The fact that none of the big four (Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea) made it this year is especially remarkable in that one of them has won the competition every year since 1995. Only eight clubs not playing in the top flight at the time have ever won the cup, the most recent being Sunderland in 1973, Southampton in 1976, and West Ham in 1980. In more recent times, the closest we have come to a surprise result was when Milwall – featuring Tim Cahill – made the final in 2004 (it lost 3-0 to Manchester United) and when (then Premier League) West Ham went 2-0 and then 3-2 up against Liverpool in the 2006 final before drawing 3-3 and losing on penalties.

This year many neutral supporters - including me - had chosen to plump for the Tykes (read: barrack for Barnsley) after the club unbelievably came from behind to eliminate Liverpool 2-1 at Anfield in the fifth round, then defeat Chelsea 1-0 at home in the sixth round. But Cardiff (who are 20 million £ in debt and earlier eliminated Middlesbrough) defeated Barnsley 1-0, and Portsmouth defeated West Brom 1-0, to set up what will nevertheless be an intriguing final on May 17. In Australia the match will be live on SBS. Whether those idiotic Red/Devil/s in Asia will see it is another question.

In 1989 at age 99 my great-grandfather wrote to me of looking forward to „seeing the Canaries play in the Football final at Wembley!” Norwich City made the semis in 1989 and 1992 but has never made the final; each year I follow its progress, and if it ever does make it, I hope I can be there.