Simon Parker column

After the White Horse final of 1923, I bring you the red seat showpiece of 2013.

This season’s FA Cup final will be memorable for the potential swathes of unoccupied rows at the Wigan end of Wembley.

But just because they are small in number, it does not mean that the Latics followers deserve to be trampled on by the Football Association and the TV advertisers.

We’ve been told that 5.15pm is now officially the traditional kick-off time. Apparently it’s for the benefit of the nation – who obviously never tuned in before when it was at that old-fashioned three o’clock.

Nothing to do with maximising the advertising tea-time revenue, no, nay, never ...

So of course it presents a logistical nightmare for the travelling supporters of the two teams coming from the north, especially those who like to let the train take the strain (there’s an old ad slogan for you).

The last train to Manchester from Euston leaves at 9pm, the final one to Wigan departs half an hour earlier.

Should the game go to extra-time and even penalties, nobody will be leaving before 8pm – and that’s without seeing the trophy lifted. Do the math.

The FA’s PR defence that only a “small percentage” of fans take the train is insulting.

The only reason supporters don’t bother using the rail is because the authorities have seen fit to make sure they can’t possibly get home.

But console yourself, stranded fans, you are suffering like this for the benefit of the rest of the country.