FA BOSSES are to stick with 5.15pm kick-offs for the Cup final — even though it means fans from the north will struggle to get home.
Wigan and Manchester City supporters travel to Wembley in three weeks.
The last trains from London to Wigan and Manchester depart Euston at 8.31pm and 9pm on May 11.
FA chairman David Bernstein insists the start time is not for financial reasons but TV audiences are larger for early- evening finals.
He said: “There will be a number of millions more watching at 5.15pm than 3pm. That’s an important factor. This is not money driven. We are not a profit-making organisation.”
FA general secretary Alex Horne claimed the two FA Cup finalists had the chance to organise later trains but chose not to.
He added: “We think 5.15pm is the right kick-off time and we want to persist with that.
“We think it is right and reasonable for travelling supporters. It’s not 7.45pm.”
Manchester City No 2 Brian Kidd said: “From our side, we’ll play any time.
“It doesn’t matter whether it is nine in the morning or 10 at night. But you do feel for both sets of fans.”
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