AFTER years of disappointment and underachievement, finally Saints fans have something tangible to shout about.
Two relegations, administration and all that went with that are not but a distant memory.
All the way through the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, Saints fans – and players – dared to dream of a day out at Wembley.
And now we’re there.
In just over a month, we’ll be taking our seats at the high altar of football in this country.
Okay, it might not be for the more glamorous FA or League Cups.
But do we care? I doubt it very much.
Silverware is silverware and the chance to win any trophy is something to be celebrated.
A packed out St Mary’s was a great setting for last night’s match and the atmosphere undoubtedly played its part in setting the occasion.
The glint of the floodlights in the cold February air lent the feeling of a spectacle to the match. And two early goals made sure events on the pitch matched the off-field air of expectation.
The Dons pulled one back to cause a few nerves, but with the benefit of hindsight Saints always looked comfortable.
Afterwards, all eyes turned toward a certain stadium in North London. We haven’t been there since March 1992 and the Zenith Data Systems Cup final.
Saints fans are itching to return and get their first taste of the new stadium.
The Arch may not yet invoke the same feelings as the old Twin Towers, but if the final against Carlisle goes well for Saints, then it won’t be long before it does.
Focus – quite rightly – will now quickly turn from the bright lights of Wembley to the more pressing matter of Pompey in the FA Cup.
The auld enemy must now take full the full attention of all involved.
Regardless of what happens against Portsmouth on Saturday, we will still have the JPT final to look forward to.
Then the much more serious business of the league will once again demand to be the main goal of the season – as chairman Nicola Cortese reminded manager Alan Pardew earlier this week.
That has to be the number one priority, but last night has given Saints fans something to get excited about.
And it is something we should seize with both hands and fully enjoy.
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