TheFA.com at Wembley - Video
TheFA.com speak to Sir Geoff Hurst as the first seats go in at the new Wembley Stadium 
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The journey to Wembley was always one filled with excitement. Whether by tube or by coach, I would always be on the look out to try to be the first one to spot the Twin Towers.

When The FA spent nine months in temporary offices in the shadow of the stadium following a fire at Lancaster Gate the day after England’s exit from France ’98, I’d never tire of looking out at the ‘Venue of Legends’ despite it looking tired.

So when I made my first return to Wembley since Dietmar Hamann’s goal for Germany beating England 1-0 - apart, of course, from the Beastie Boys concert at the Arena just before Christmas - I was looking forward to seeing what the new place looked like in daylight and the chance to step inside and have a go in the first set of new seats with Sir Geoff Hurst and six lucky englandfans.

And it was earlier into my trip than I can remember when the stadium came into vision. Like every time since my Wembley debut, when Reed Hall Sentinels YFC saw England Schoolboys against Brazil in 1988, I was keenly focused on the horizon awaiting the moment the new symbol of Wembley, the Arch, appeared.

I wasn’t expecting it to be so spectacular. It’s huge. And when I arrived at Wembley Park, the structure almost towered overhead, rather than sitting down politely at the end of the famous Wembley Way like the old towers.

Though watching the development of the stadium from an FA standpoint, I have also been able to look on as a supporter and was as excited as the six englandfans selected to share in the momentous day last Friday. Along with our 1966 World Cup hero, Sir Geoff Hurst, we tried out some of the 100-odd seats put into the top tier of the stadium, above the old royal box, and enjoyed the acclaimed ‘unobstructed views’ of the men at work on the pitch below.

Well, I say pitch, it is still a building site. But where the four mighty sheds - the workshops at the heart of the project - currently sit, in the middle of it all, will be the point the football world will be gazing upon when The FA Cup Final kicks off next year.

From our vantage point, where I noted that, standing at 6' 2'', my knees were nowhere near the seat in front, unlike the old Wembley. We could clearly see an awesome stadium taking shape. And as the dumper truck shimmied on the edge of the area and beat the digger for pace, I shared my thoughts with some of those alongside.

An enthusiastic Sir Geoff, also on his first visit to the new Wembley, was impressed: ”I saw the arch when I was coming up to Wembley and my immediate thoughts were how thrilling it was to see it above all the other buildings around here.

”Just being here now is exciting, god knows what it’ll be like when the stadium is full for the first match.

”It will be the best stadium in the world, something to really marvel at.”

The fans were in agreement with Sir Geoff: “Of all the football stadiums around the country, this is the one that’s in the hearts and minds of so many people,” says Raj Dodhia, a regular watcher of England games since 2002.

”We’ve seen some impressive stadiums around the world, in Japan, in Portugal, but we don’t have one that we can boast about. When Wembley is finished we’ll have a stadium to be proud of.”

Ian Todd of the Football Supporters Federation was equally amazed. Following England regularly since the mid-80s, he was glad to be back at a ground that he says was ‘beginning to show its age’.

”I’ve been very impressed with what I’ve seen. The old stadium had a reputation the world over, but you’ve got to move on. What we need now is a new, comfortable stadium, with modern facilities and from what I’ve seen today it looks like we’re going to get that.”

Pete Nicholas, an englandfans member from Manchester, came down for the day too and on his way into the Brent area caught sight of the Arch for the first time.

”Until you actually get here, I don’t think you can realise how big it is. When I got onto Wembley Way the sheer size of the Arch just hit me.

”Sitting here I can really get an idea of what it will be like during a game. The atmosphere and the noise will be amazing with so many people inside.”

Back with Sir Geoff, he was reminiscing about England’s biggest ever day at Wembley. Pointing away to where the players’ tunnel formerly sat and a pile of pipes now rests, the former West Ham striker picked the spot where he scored his famous effort against West Germany, crossing the line after hitting the underside of the bar.

”The old Wembley was marvellous, but it was 75-years-old, we have to provide the facilities now for the modern fans. This will bring us right up to date, people will be just as excited playing here.”

I know for a fact, I’ll be excited just being able to watch a game at the new Wembley Stadium.