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| Essex family completes FA Cup journey with final tickets | Essex family completes FA Cup journey with final tickets |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| A family swept up by the magic of the FA Cup have secured tickets for the final, meaning they have been to a game in every round since September. | A family swept up by the magic of the FA Cup have secured tickets for the final, meaning they have been to a game in every round since September. |
| Dan Humphries, 37, and sons Liam, eight, and George, six, started at Brantham Athletic in Suffolk in the second qualifying round in August. | |
| The journey has taken them to 11 games at places like Brightlingsea, Barnet, Billericay, Peterborough and Millwall. | The journey has taken them to 11 games at places like Brightlingsea, Barnet, Billericay, Peterborough and Millwall. |
| "I never thought we would get this far," said Mr Humphries, from Essex. | "I never thought we would get this far," said Mr Humphries, from Essex. |
| "I am a big fan of the FA Cup and can remember back to the days when it really was an all day thing, and perhaps was more popular than it is today." | "I am a big fan of the FA Cup and can remember back to the days when it really was an all day thing, and perhaps was more popular than it is today." |
| The adventure began when Mr Humphries, a data analyst for a bank, heard the FA Cup trophy would be at the Brantham Athletic v Eastbourne Borough tie and decided to take his sons along. | The adventure began when Mr Humphries, a data analyst for a bank, heard the FA Cup trophy would be at the Brantham Athletic v Eastbourne Borough tie and decided to take his sons along. |
| He said: "As a Colchester United fan, I am not likely to see it at an actual game so I thought I would take the boys and get a picture with it." | He said: "As a Colchester United fan, I am not likely to see it at an actual game so I thought I would take the boys and get a picture with it." |
| From then on the family were enthralled by the competition and decided to watch a game in every round. | From then on the family were enthralled by the competition and decided to watch a game in every round. |
| Their journey has seen them watch giant-killings - when Fulham were knocked out by Oldham Athletic - and see extra-time winners - when Watford overcame Wolves in the Wembley semi-final. | Their journey has seen them watch giant-killings - when Fulham were knocked out by Oldham Athletic - and see extra-time winners - when Watford overcame Wolves in the Wembley semi-final. |
| The family's story led to them being given tickets for the Wembley showpiece, between Manchester City and Watford, by a sponsor and their exploits being featured in the matchday programme. | The family's story led to them being given tickets for the Wembley showpiece, between Manchester City and Watford, by a sponsor and their exploits being featured in the matchday programme. |
| "The boys have loved it," said Mr Humphries. "They've seen it grow from 200 people at Brantham to 90,000 for the semi-final." | "The boys have loved it," said Mr Humphries. "They've seen it grow from 200 people at Brantham to 90,000 for the semi-final." |
| The FA Cup actually has 14 rounds, starting in August, but the first qualifying round, preliminary round and extra-preliminary round had already been completed before the Humphries family started their trophy trek. | The FA Cup actually has 14 rounds, starting in August, but the first qualifying round, preliminary round and extra-preliminary round had already been completed before the Humphries family started their trophy trek. |
| Mr Humphries, who also has a daughter Charlotte who is too young to attend the games, said the friendliness of fellow fans had been a highlight. | Mr Humphries, who also has a daughter Charlotte who is too young to attend the games, said the friendliness of fellow fans had been a highlight. |
| "In Peterborough, one chap saw me struggling to park and when we told him what we were doing he let us use his driveway," he said. | "In Peterborough, one chap saw me struggling to park and when we told him what we were doing he let us use his driveway," he said. |
| But with Colchester United's run ending back in the first round who will the family be backing come kick-off? | But with Colchester United's run ending back in the first round who will the family be backing come kick-off? |
| It seems it is Manchester City's stars who are the main attraction. | It seems it is Manchester City's stars who are the main attraction. |
| "The boys love players like [Sergio] Aguero and [Raheem] Sterling and they were like 'wow, we are really going to see them play'," Mr Humphries said. | "The boys love players like [Sergio] Aguero and [Raheem] Sterling and they were like 'wow, we are really going to see them play'," Mr Humphries said. |