The FA Youth Cup Sponsored by E.ON
Fifth Round Proper
Wednesday 13 February 2008
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Temperatures plummeted all over the country last night - but more than 8,000 fans still turned out for the three FA Youth Cup Fifth Round ties.
Ashton Gate had 4,233 to see Bristol City lose 4-2 to Manchester City, one of this season's fancied sides. That compares quite favourably with the 264 who watched the Robins' Third Round win at Everton.
Port Vale edged Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 to scupper the chances of a Spurs v Chelsea clash in the Sixth Round and there were 2,104 at Vale Park to see them do it. Sunderland's penalty shootout victory over Youth Cup holders Liverpool attracted 1,712.
To put those stats into perspective, half of last season's Fifth Round attendances were under 600.
But in its 56-year history The FA Youth Cup has always had the ability to attract massive crowds, particularly for the two legs of The Final.
For the 1993 Final, between Leeds United and Manchester United, there were 31,037 at Elland Road and 30,562 at Old Trafford. Players like Beckham, Scholes and Butt were involved in those two matches.
The competition record of 38,187 was set at last season's Arsenal v Manchester United Semi-Final first leg at Emirates Stadium.
