Met Office warns United & City fans against wearing parkas for Cup Final

It'll be fiery on the pitch and off if if you're dressed for Manchester

Fans travelling to Saturday’s FA Cup Final at Wembley have been urged not to wear parka coats.

The City – United showdown is set to turn London into Madchester for the weekend and a Mancunian staple, the parka jacket, was expected to be seen in pubs and on the streets all over the capital.

Light streaks the pitch before kick of of the English League Cup final football match between Manchester City and Chelsea at Wembley stadium in north London on February 24, 2019. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)

Weather forecasters however, have put out a strong message to try to dissuade fans from heading to Wembley fully togged up. A spokesperson for the Met Office told Paddy Power News that:

“The mercury pitch side is set to hit the low 20’s by kick-off on Saturday and this will leave the stadium feeling like an oven.

“Wearing any sort of winter clothing in those temperatures is dangerous and we strongly recommend supporters take note.

“By all means wear your bucket hats as that will keep the sun off your heads, but please leave your Stone Island/CP Company jackets in the wardrobe.”

Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher has been critical of the advice. Earlier today he posted a tweet encouraging his fellow City fans to ignore warnings and “Get yourselves sorted” followed by some obscene emoji’s underneath.

The Cup Final has also been hit by rail strikes which has forced thousands of fans to alter their travel plans. Paddy Power News however, can exclusively reveal a silver lining for rail companies.

Liam Gallagher, June 2023

“We could not take the risk of Mancunians travelling down to London wearing flared trousers,” we were told.

“Walking between carriages with 20-inch bell-bottoms could cause a serious accidents and we apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused.”

Transport For London have also issued a warning for supporters heading to Wembley on the tube.

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“We have set a limit on the width of trouser leg which will be allowed on our trains,” a spokesperson said. 

“Security checks will be in place at all ticket barriers to prevent anyone breaching the rules.

And local pubs are taking steps to control the Mancunian hoards heading to London. A spokesperson for the Weatherspoons chain told us that:

“On police advice, we have narrowed the doorways to prevent anyone trying the Bez walk getting on to our premises.”

*Paddy Power’s football coverage is 100% fake news. Honest.

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