The Bucket List, part four

4. The Home of Football

Welcome to the Headers & Volleys Bucket List. World football is a big place and sometimes there seems almost too much to see. In this series we will be looking at the top things to see and do, before you pop your clogs. Feel free to add your own suggestions in the comments section below, or contact us here and we will feature the best entries on the site.

Ryan Leverton of SportsLeviathan.com continues his journey through his own Bucket List. In today’s instalment, Ryan looks at taking in a game at one of the most state of the art all-seater stadia in the world, the home of football, Wembley.

Even if Brazil is one of the founding fathers of modern football there is still no place like home, Wembley. The stadium in North West London has the heritage and tradition of being the home of football.  It’s previously famous twin towers and now its modern arch-shaped lights make it instantly recognisable. I have been to Wembley many times and must admit, as a stadium before, I cared little for it, mainly because the games I went too we didn’t seem to win! The atmosphere at the old Wembley inevitably lacked something due to your distance from the pitch, but what it lost in atmosphere it made up for in occasion and if the team you support are playing, there is nothing quite like it.  I was present at the last ever FA cup final at the old Wembley and the first ever at the new. The atmosphere is markedly improved, however, the tension and occasion remains unchanged. ‘Abide with me’ still gives you goosebumps and the moment, just after the last ‘Queen’ is sung in the national anthem, the most almighty roar from both sets of fans is heard to endeavour their team gets off to the best start. 
An obvious must is the FA cup Final at Wembley Stadium. Or at the very worst, take in a trip to the ‘home of football’ for a guided tour.

Coming up next time: Ryan looks at a very different type of football stadia experience – standing on the terraces. Click here to see the previous articles in the series and get in touch if you’d like to contribute.