He said: “I had to chance it even if in the end I couldn’t get in. I just felt I had to be here. I wasn’t really old enough to properly appreciate it the last time we were at a cup final in 1995.

“The FA make me laugh because there were anti-touting signs everywhere but by giving so many tickets to the FA family and not real supporters they have played into the hands of touts and created a market which they’ve been happily exploiting. I heard tickets were changing hands for £400 and £500 and that’s for the cheapest tickets. It’s not fair.

“I’m still pleased I had the chance to sample the atmosphere of being outside Wembley and seeing the sea of blue everywhere. I’ve never seen so many curly afro wigs and blue noses. It was like the biggest and best carnival you could imagine.”

Other Everton supporters, included the misguided soul who unsuccessfully tried to hurl himself head first at a turnstile to get into the ground, were less acquiescent.

Ian Hay, 46, who is originally from Norris Green but now works in London, waited on the concourse at Euston station from 7am hoping to get a ticket.

Carrying a cardboard sign saying, “One Ticket needed for a True Blue please. Thankyou” he waited until 2pm in vain.

He said: “I’ve been to see Everton in the FA Cup final in 1986, 1989 and 1995, but I couldn’t get a ticket this time because of the F.A.

“I know for a fact that Chelsea put 250 tickets back on sale via their website during the week because some of their players didn’t take up their allocated tickets.

“I’ve been offered a ticket for £300, but I can’t justify that. It’s a massive shame.”

LAMENTS about tickets aside, the supporters lapped up every last but of the occasion. Everton chairman Bill Kenwright was mobbed by fans as he arrived at the ground as was 1995 Everton FA Cup finalist Daniel Amokachi.

Even Birmingham FC co-chairman David Gold was happy to get in on the act and happily posed in a blue nose given to him by supporters the moment he stepped out of his Bentley in Wembley car park.

He was not the only non-Evertonian who backed the team. Non-Chelsea supporting Londoners were united in their support.

City financial executive Russell Bell was one of the fans who bought a club Wembley ticket. The Fulham supporter said: “I really wanted Everton to do it. I think everyone did. They’re a great club and what a set of fans.”

It was a Wembley steward who unwittingly summed it up best. In a broad cockney accent he turned to a colleague after a rare chant from the Chelsea fans and said: “Well there is someone down that end. I thought it was all about Everton today.”

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OPINION: PAGE 8