By Laith Gibani
May 22 2004

Saturday’s FA cup final will leave me, and no doubt millions of other football fans with a dilemma, as two of the countries most unpopular teams go head to head. From a personal perspective, I was disappointed that the final was not a contest between two quality premiership sides. Romantics of the game will disagree, by saying that Millwall’s achievement is all part of the beauty that makes the FA cup. Supporting a team with a less than impressive cup pedigree (with only the two cup successes, granted one against Derby in 1898), I have usually looked at the FA cup as the chance to witness some quality football between two of England’s elite. Millwall don’t exactly fit the bill, and the fixture doesn’t exactly fill me with great excitement.

However I’m not exactly sure whether my negative view of this final is based on the fact that the favourites are a team I have grown to despise (you try living among them), and a small London outfit more renowned for Burberry and beer than quality football. When watching a game that doesn’t involve Forest, I still usually find the game more enjoyable when I’m rooting for one of the sides. Could I ever bring myself to back the arrogant and money driven ‘football’ machine that is Manchester United PLC? Highly unlikely. Surely then I should back the underdog, without thinking twice about it? But wait a minute. This is Millwall. A team ingrained into football culture for all the wrong reasons. Oh, and Kevin Muscat plays for them (enough reason for many Forest fans believe me).

Whilst I would find it highly amusing for United to be humiliated and end the season trophy-less, why does it have to be at the expense of Millwall winning the trophy? A team who will already be ‘gracing’ the UEFA cup next season.

We all know what the likely result will be. I don’t predict a classic. Regardless, I will be watching, along with millions others around the world.