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Rovers match marks city final end Rovers match marks city final end
(about 5 hours later)
Thousands of football fans are in Cardiff for the final showpiece final at the Millennium Stadium. Thousands of fans flocked to Cardiff for the last showpiece football final at the Millennium Stadium.
Bristol Rovers face Doncaster Rovers in the final of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, but future cup and play-off finals will revert to the new Wembley. Doncaster Rovers beat Bristol Rovers in the final of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, but future cup and play-off finals will revert to the new Wembley.
Stadium managers say they can fill the gap with other events. Stadium managers said the matches had brought "enormous value" and they aimed to fill the gap with other events.
Meanwhile, hoteliers said hosting events like the FA Cup final since 2001 had helped put the city on the map.Meanwhile, hoteliers said hosting events like the FA Cup final since 2001 had helped put the city on the map.
Hosting the FA Cup, League Cup and trophy finals, as well as the three play-off finals, has been worth millions of pounds to the south Wales economy, analysts have estimated. Hosting 46 finals, from the FA Cup, League Cup and trophy finals, to the three divisional play-off finals, has been worth millions of pounds to the south Wales economy, analysts have estimated.
Dermot Keegan, chairman of the Cardiff Hoteliers Association, said: "I wouldn't want to put a figure on it but it has given an exposure to Cardiff and Wales for an awful lot of families for the future.Dermot Keegan, chairman of the Cardiff Hoteliers Association, said: "I wouldn't want to put a figure on it but it has given an exposure to Cardiff and Wales for an awful lot of families for the future.
With all due respect to Cardiff, 20 years ago we were competing with Reading as a weekend destination Dermot KeeganCardiff Hoteliers AssociationWith all due respect to Cardiff, 20 years ago we were competing with Reading as a weekend destination Dermot KeeganCardiff Hoteliers Association
"The smaller events in particular, like this one, we have 150 people from Doncaster staying with us for the weekend, and they're going on tours, out to restaurants.""The smaller events in particular, like this one, we have 150 people from Doncaster staying with us for the weekend, and they're going on tours, out to restaurants."
Mr Keegan said there had been a rise in numbers of hotels in the city since the first cup finals in 2001 and the trade would be working closely with the stadium, Wales Millennium Centre and Cardiff council.Mr Keegan said there had been a rise in numbers of hotels in the city since the first cup finals in 2001 and the trade would be working closely with the stadium, Wales Millennium Centre and Cardiff council.
A clash of the Rovers - pre-match outside the stadium
Events planned already include a super 12 rugby league weekend in May, the British speedway grand prix, and concerts from Rod Stewart and The Police.Events planned already include a super 12 rugby league weekend in May, the British speedway grand prix, and concerts from Rod Stewart and The Police.
"We're going to miss them [the matches] but it's been great," said Mr Keegan."We're going to miss them [the matches] but it's been great," said Mr Keegan.
"With all due respect to Cardiff, 20 years ago we were competing with Reading as a weekend destination.""With all due respect to Cardiff, 20 years ago we were competing with Reading as a weekend destination."
Thousands of supporters 'Benefited'
Cardiff council will be bringing in the usual road closures between 1100 and 1700 BST for the match, which kicks off at 1300 BST. WRU group chief executive Roger Lewis said Sunday's 56,000 attendance had taken the aggregate crowd for the finals beyond the 2.6m barrier.
A spokeswoman said: "The council is advising fans to plan their journeys carefully, arrive early and be aware of road closures in the city centre. But now they faced the "challenge" to find new events.
"The best way to travel into the city centre is with public transport and coach wherever possible." "There can be little doubt that by hosting these matches the Millennium Stadium has grown in stature as a venue.
Around 37,000 Bristol fans are expected for the short trip over the Severn. They have been given the south of the stadium and will use the car parks to the south of Cardiff. "What is also not in doubt is the enormous value these events have brought to Cardiff, as the Welsh capital, and Wales as a whole.
Doncaster are expected to bring 18,000 supporters, who will sit in the north of the ground and were being directed to car parks to the north of Cardiff. "The Cardiff Business School estimated that the PR and marketing value of staging these cup finals in Wales was worth around £100m.
Swansea City won last year's final, beating Carlisle 2-1 in front of 42,028 fans. "Other, rather harder facts, prove that the Welsh economy has benefited by more than that amount.
"In thanking both the Football League and the Football Association for their business, I would also like to wish Wembley the best of luck when the events return there."
Cardiff council brought in the usual road closures until 1700 BST for the match, which League One side Doncaster won 3-2 after extra time.
Around 37,000 Bristol fans made the short trip over the Severn, while Doncaster brought 18,000 supporters.