Trip to Thailand? I'd rather follow Wolves down Wembley Way!
Meet the fan who is missing his £1,250 Thai holiday to watch Wolves in the FA Cup semi-final.
When Wolves made it through to the FA Cup semi-final with victory over Manchester United, season-ticket holder Ryan Smith realised in horror the match would clash with a holiday booked to Thailand.
But when it came to a choice between seeing his beloved Wolves at Wembley or soaking up some sunshine with the lads, it was a no-brainer.
Ryan, from Bentley in Walsall, broke the news to his pals he wouldn’t be joining them on their trip.
His decision has proved painful for his bank balance as it meant he lost out on £1,250.
But that will matter little when he sees his side walk out at Wembley for the FA Cup semi-final on Sunday.
The painter and decorator booked the trip back in December, when there appeared to be little chance Wolves would be appearing at Wembley.
Indeed, it’s been so long since the club reached a semi-final, most fans would not have given a thought to the possibility.
But the sensational season means there are bound to be more fans who have been left with a dilemma of whether to cancel their holiday plans.
Season-ticket holder Ryan had given up on a few matches, which was painful enough, to go away with his friends but this was one he was not prepared to miss.
The 36-year-old said: “I knew I was going to miss some games and I was gutted I would miss United at home (in the league tonight).
“I would be missing some other games as well but we were safe from relegation and it was towards the end of the season.”
It was only after Wolves stunned Manchester United in the quarter-final that Ryan’s attention turned towards Sunday’s game.
He said: “I went to the game against United and at the end I turned around to speak to my mates and said “when is the semi-final?”
He was then informed that it was in fact this Sunday, when he was supposed to be away in Thailand.
As Ryan weighed up his options, it was a simple choice. He had to let his friends down – though they will still be going without him. He decided to do what his gut was telling him.
Pulling out of the holiday so late meant there was no chance of him getting his money back, but Ryan says seeing Wolves win at Wembley would be priceless.
He will be one of 33,000 Wolves fans travelling down to London for one of the club’s biggest games in years.
Wolves are playing at Wembley in a cup competition for the first time since 1988 and it will be the biggest movement of the gold and black army since the 2003 play-off final in Cardiff. Missing out on the occasion was not an option for Ryan. “I have not been this excited about Thailand. All I have talked about is this semi-final,” he said.
“I didn’t worry about the money, this is the first time Wolves have been at Wembley since the Sherpa Van. I am going to something that really means something.”
Ryan added: “It’s not as if I’m the kind of person who has got money to throw away but it is not an issue. I would have paid £1,250 to see Wolves in the semi-final.”
