The problem is when you're in one 'end' of Wembley, you need to be able to see the screen at the opposite end of the ground.

I've got 20/20+ vision with glasses and couldn't see any of the words on the big screen at the opposite end of the ground. I couldn't see the big screen at 'my' end of the stadium, as I was actually sat behind and above it.

It's OK, if you're on the lower tiers and can turn around to view the words, but frankly shouldn't you be singing towards the pitch ?

If the words were bigger and displayed at line at a time, in time with the music, it would be a lot easier to follow and sing along with, thus getting a better atmosphere.

As for the mic problem, if it is actually tested beforehand, then that might resolve the problem of the guest act walking on to the pitch and 'dying on their backside'

Clare Balding offered an explanation to the microphone issues on her Twitter page:

It was only when she tweaked the cable just before the second verse that it was fixed, you can't blame the girl for that.

And she was hot...!!!



BTW - Just before the end of the hymn you could see a woman was visibly upset, shaking with her hands over her face.

...Or not had the pleasure of going ever year with Saints.

Did you know the words the first time you went to a CC final?

Why dont they put the words in the programme like they used to? Problem solved!

Psst, Standee is a Hull fan.

Got him muddled up with that Saints dude who really, really dislikes Wigan.

Abide With Me at the Cup final is one of my favourite parts of the year, however apart from the microphone fault, this year my experience of Abide With Me was standing up and sitting down as some tools walked past with beers and shouted loudly to their mates that they had brought the order in. Then some other lad blew on a fking vuvuzela.

Rather than having just one singer with a microphone why not have a choir sing it, that male voice choir would have done it well, it sounds better with multiple voices.

That narrows it down then.

I thought Abide with me was so funny it was untrue, apart from the obvious cock ups that were pointed out above the only time the fans seemed to sing was when it came to the bit "Abide with me" then we would have all the other words inbetween then again the fans would sing the short bit "Abide with me" lol

Well thats what it was like in the Warrington end where i was, i presume it was similar around the stadium as i didn't hear much singing going on during the verses.

"Abide with me"

How many other times a year do you sing it ?

That's exactly how it was around the whole stadium, with humming / mumbling inbetween ...

I remember a brass band doing it at Wigan before a GB vs Aus match (might have been the one when Morley lasted 7 seconds). That was tear inducing, absolutely brilliant.

I'm also old enough to have a vague recollection of Windsor Davies leading it at Wembley. Did I hallucinate that?

Abide with Me is a strong tradition that should be continued. Pity about the mic yesterday - the sound engineer wasn't worthy of some of the sheds my band plays in getting that wrong. As for the words, for years we sang the first and the sixth verses, now they changed the sixth for the eighth ( and last ) verse so I need to see them to sing 'em. Wouldn't want to go without it, though.

2009 - www.youtube.com/watch?v=fg3gCw5mm7c (uploaded by Hayley Westenra's website before you kneecap it)

2009 - www.youtube.com/watch?v=fg3gCw5mm7c (uploaded by Hayley Westenra's website before you kneecap it)

When the lady was singing Abide With Me we did have a few fans around us singing get your t1t5 out for the lads,sad really.

V sad that again like i said why not ban boose at RL finals would be worth a try if you cant go 2hr without a drink you have got a problem as we are classed as a "family game" not any more i think.

Only watched it on TV but it seemed that she did have awful problems with the microphone but also that her singing was bad anyhow. I think she also sang "God save our Queen" rather that "God save the Queen."

[urlhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLaUdcwjvAg[/url

Not quite as good quality but this compilation says it all about what a Challenge Cup final day is all about.....

I know it's traditional, but to paraphrase my nan "Why are they playing a funeral song."

I've sung it when I've gone, but felt weird. Felt far worse watching it on TV, made the sport look amateurish.

A lot of people associate the hymn with relatives and friends no longer with us, hence why it's common to see grown men and women openly crying. It does bring a tear to the eye and a lump to the throat, it did with me on TV yesterday.
I was lucky enough to go to 11 Wembley Finals in the eighties and nineties with my old man (who's no longer with us), I know for a fact that my next wembley visit with Wigan will be difficult for me to listen and sing to Abide with Me.

Some great scenes there.

The clip of the Hull fan crying during Abide With Me in 2005 is one of the most memorable of that amazing weekend. IIRC he'd been at his grandfather's funeral not long before that where it had been sung.

When was the queen last at a challenge cup final then ?

It was a slight cock up get over it. Human error! The final was a great day a sell out and a great atmosphere.

The Queen has PRESENTED the Challenge Cup twice - once in 1960 to Wakefield and again in 1967 to Featherstone.