Team Line Up
		1. Chris Day
32. Stephen Kelly		5. Clarke Carlisle	6. Danny Shittu		3. Gino Padula
10. Kevin Gallen		8. Marc Bircham	4. Steve Palmer (c)		15. Kevin McLeod
		24. Richard Pacquette	29. Paul Furlong
Subs
13. Nick Culkin
2. Terrell Forbes
27.Andy Thomson on for Richard Pacquette
31. Brett Angell
33. Tommy Williams on for Gino Padula

It had been a day we had been desperate to arrive. The 2nd division playoff final was upon us, and finally a showpiece event involving QPR after 17 years of hurt since the 1986 League cup final defeat.

After all the build up with days spent trawling the internet for news and sharing the excitement with other fans it was finally time to leave for Wales on Saturday morning. We left at about 11am and the first sight on the motorway was a QPR flag on the M4, which got us in the mood for the weekend.

After reading a great article about Marc Bircham I was raring to go. Bircham was quoted as saying "Most fans would give their right leg to playing this game but then they probably wouldn't be very good would they". Well it made me laugh anyway.

As we got closer to Cardiff the excitement was building as we saw plenty of Bournemouth fans on the way to their play off win in division three.

As the traffic moved to a standstill I felt it was a good time to wind down the windows and stick on the we love you Bircham song full blast much to the bemusement of the Bournemouth and Lincoln fans in the traffic jam with us.

We finally got to Newport a t about 2pm, which was later than we had planned but after checking into the hotel we nipped into the Walkabout pub to watch the 3rd division playoff game.

It didn't help the nerves much as we saw how bad it must feel to lose in the stadium and seeing Lincoln's long ball game completely failing on the big pitch I began to get a little worried about how we'd cope in 24 hours. A few beers later and any worries about pitch sizes went out of the window.

A good night was had by all on Saturday night as plenty of Rangers fans drank in the Walkabout and sang one or two QPR songs. Whilst the QPR players were given a 3am wakeup call by the fire alarm in a nearby hotel, we were given a wake up call by some members of the QPR mailing list, who like us were having trouble with the hotel doors.

Now I love modern technology but old-fashioned keys worked much better than these electronic cards which wouldn't open the hotel room doors if the key went near a mobile phone or got dirt on it. The hotel were not the most helpful over our keys and wondered why people were upset that they couldn't get into their rooms at 4 in the morning. Still despite this minor problem the game was getting closer and when the alarm went off on Sunday morning I was like a kid on Christmas morning.

After getting ready for the game and getting the blue and white hair dye in place we had a bit of breakfast and met up with the other QPR fans staying in the walkabout to make our way to the match. The train into Cardiff was packed full of Cardiff fans which was a little intimidating but we didn't have any problems with them.

As we left the station the millennium stadium came into view and the butterflies in my stomach were on overtime. We were actually here in the playoff final. After a walk through town we struggled to find a pub with any space to let QPR fans in so opted for the Heineken bar, which was outdoors by the castle. The green was filled with QPR fans all with either blue and white hair or inflatable sheep and they were in fine voice.

Time seemed to be going so slowly as we chatted and sang a few songs. This was time I really should have been cherishing but all I wanted was for 3pm to come around so we could see Gallen and the boys beat Cardiff and give us a day to remember.

I was convinced we would win the game so we had plenty of time to get drunk after the game. After a few drinks and a panic that the rain would rinse the blue hair dye into my face leaving me looking like an umpa lumpa, we were ready to enter the Millennium stadium.

From the outside the stadium is very impressive even without the centre piece of the two towers. After a quick security check we got a programme and were in the stadium.

We had no idea how to get to our seats but I was more interested in getting in shouting Ur'ss and getting myself a beer and a flag. After fighting through the queues I didn't get a flag or a beer and it was easier to just go to our seats and take in the atmosphere.

We were in block N4 of the North stand, which was the upper tier behind the goal. Thanks to John "the legend" McCooke, we had managed to secure seats around the ASB, Manc R's and QPR mailing list so the atmosphere was always going to be good.

As I walked up the steps to get a view of the stadium it took my breath away.

The inside of the stadium is a truly magnificent sight. It really puts Wembley to shame and I hope the new Wembley can match this superb stadium if they ever build it.

The[players were warming up and it was great to see such a great arena with our heroes out on the pitch. I looked around at some of the banners and flags, which filled the Rangers end.

One was quality, which had a picture of Ian Holloway saying, "This is a proper football club".

The pre match entertainment was under way as the rather cold looking Lisa Rogers and some northern bloke who used to on the Big Breakfast led the proceedings. It would have been nice to get an actual fan of both teams to do this but these two were probably cheap.

Lisa Rogers, an Arsenal fan, led the Cardiff fans as they showed the story of their season on the big screen including the 4-0 win at Loftus Road.

We then got treated to our season, which also included the 4-0 defeat at Loftus Road. It was good to see the Furlong winner again though from the semi final though.

They then had this game with two giant balls being rolled and the fans who made the most noise made their ball cross the line.

Utter nonsense and even the sight of Lisa Rogers nipples almost poking through the screen couldn't keep me watching this so I popped off to try and buy a flag again. When I got back these two idiots were still on the pitch now but it was anthem time. After all the fuss made about this I interested to see what was going to happen.

Cardiff fans sang the anthem of their choice, which was pretty impressive as they sang their hearts out with national pride. You had to laugh then when it came to us to sing pig bag and all do the silly dance as the Cardiff fans looked a little confused.

It was almost kick off time now and the noise levels began to rise, the teams were displayed on the big screens and it was just once change to the team that beat Oldham. Richard Pacquette started and Thomson was on the bench.

Then the moment we'd been waiting for. The teams came out of the tunnel to an amazing noise from both sets of fans. QPR fans waved flags to set up a sea of blue and white as balloons were set off and the fireworks went off.

It was a sight to bring tears to your eyes as QPR were here and making ourselves seen and heard. The players shook hands with some bloke who I'd never heard of. It would have been nice to get Stan Bowles and whoever Cardiff's best ever player is to meet the players instead of this.

As each player was shown on the big screen we cheered their names before the nerves really began to hit me. Bloody hell it's about to start, our whole season decided in one game, what if we lose, how good will it be if we win. Those thoughts and more flashed through my head before I calmed down again when the teams kicked off.

Cardiff were attacking towards us and the noise in the stadium was absolutely superb. Both sets of fans were giving it everything they had but on the pitch it was Cardiff who started slightly better.

They pushed us back and we conceded some throw ins and corners but the back four were looking solid and didn't really give much away. Cardiff's only chance during a good early spell was when captain Graham Kavanagh hit a shot from the edge of the area but I was well wide and didn't trouble Chris Day.

We began to settle down as Gallen and Furlong got hold of the ball and started pushing Cardiff back. A good run by McLeod won us a free kick near the corner flag to give us our first chance of the game.

Gallen lined up the free kick as Cardiff got bodies back to stop Shittu and Carlisle's aerial threat. Gallen fooled them al though by having a shot which curled just under the bar by the keeper made a good save to push it over the bar.

The nerves were gone now and I really believed this was going to be our day. From the corner Furlong headed wide but we were looking a little more confident now.

Both sides obviously knew the importance of the game so some of the football was pretty scrappy and mistakes were made by both sides.

Gabbidon almost made a fatal one as he slipped to allow Furlong a chance but the on form striker rushed his effort and lobbed wide of the post. It was a great chance and a player of his experienced really should have taken a touch and buried it. This just showed though how tense the game was that even the most experience players were snatching at things.

We began to have a good spell of possession and Kelly did well on the right and his cross was headed wide by Furlong. Pacquette and Earnshaw both had efforts fly over the bar before the Cardiff fans were out of their seats going mad.

Paul Furlong went in high and hard on Gabbidon and at first I feared he would be sent off for what was a pretty bad tackle. The ref booked him though and called both captains together to try and calm their teammates down.

Cardiff then enjoyed some good possession but the pattern of the first half remained as neither team could really get on top and as half time approached we both looked happy to go in all square.

Although the stadium was an awesome sight full up with passionate football fans, the hunt to find a toilet was not as great. It was chaos trying to find a loo, which didn't have 400 people in the queue. In the end I walked round to the lower tier near the halfway line and after having a look out at the view I found an empty toilet and a short queue to get a quick drink of water before the second half.

The nerves were back now and we had 45 minutes left of our season. 0-0 was a fair result at this stage but we needed to step up a gear if we were going to win the game. I think Ian Holloway must have said the same thing as we came out a totally different team.

We went straight at them attacking towards the 31,000 QPR fans. Gallen run at the heart of the Cardiff defence from deep and exchanged a one two with Furlong, which opened them up. Gallen got into the box but his shot was low and well saved by the keeper.

This was more like it, we looked like scoring now and Furlong went close soon after. He got past two defenders but shot over when he could have done better. This was much better though and as we began to press them back the dream was becoming a reality.

Cardiff were not ready to lie down though and showed great determination to fight back. A late tackle by Palmer earned him a yellow card as they came back at us but it was Rangers who looked more like scoring.

Palmer fired over from the edge of the box with a chance we really wanted to fall to someone else before McLeod ran at the defence and curled in a brilliant cross, which just evaded Richard Pacquette. It was Pacquette's last contribution as he was taken off. It seemed a bit early to me to make the change but Pacquette was limping in the first half so perhaps he wasn't fully fit.

On came Andy Thomson, last season's top scorer to perhaps make himself a hero.

Gallen then almost gave us the lead after some neat passes he got the ball at the edge of the area beat his man and fired a shot just inches over the bar. It looked a certain goal with the keeper beaten but it was just a little to high. We lost a bit of momentum though with the change and Cardiff pushed us back again.

They still didn't really create any chance as Clarke Carlisle and Danny Shittu were on top form. Bircham was the next man in the book after a late tackle in midfield before the Rangers fans let out a big roar with ten minutes to go.

The danger man, Robert Earnshaw was taken off to be replaced by Andy Campbell. Earnshaw is a quality player but it is a tribute to Carlisle and Shittu that he was so quiet during the game. A personal victory for the defenders but Campbell is no mug and his pace made him a threat almost straight away. Campbell looked lively from the off despite the obvious anger from the Cardiff fans at seeing their hero taken off.

With the clock ticking away extra time looked possible as Tommy Williams came on to replace Gino Padula.

Rangers still looked the more likely to score as our defence continued to perform superbly and with 90 minutes approaching Chris Day had not had to make a save.

With seconds remaining a moment came, which will haunt Rangers fans and Andy Thomson for a long time.

Spencer Prior cocked his header up and Thomson was in just 20 yards out. We held our breath as Thomson flicked his header over the keeper. It looped and seemed to be heading for the corner but went inches wide of the post.

I couldn't believe it, if I had a mortgage I would have put it on Thomson to score that. He seemed to have time to take a touch and volley it's easy to say after the event. Thomson has less than a second to make a decision and he was so close to taking us to division one.

The final whistle soon came and it was now extra time and then penalties if we couldn't get a winner. The nerves were really getting to us now but as the players spoke with Holloway a few of them came over and urged us to keep going and we continued to sing our hearts out.

The first half of extra time kicked off with both sets of fans singing with everything we had to urge our teams onto victory. Both teams though began to look a little tired but we continued to have chances to win the game.

Carlisle intercepted a pass in midfield and ran into there half. He played it to Thomson who laid it wide to Gallen. Carlisle continued his run and got on the end of a measured Gallen cross but headed it just inches wide of the post. We were getting so close to this vital goal but it just wouldn't come for us.

Carlisle was immense at the other end though as Campbell stormed into the box he produced not one but two fantastic sliding tackles to deny the forward and keep them out.

With the half coming to an end Shittu was beaten for once and hacked down the Cardiff forward for an obvious foul. For some reason the ref played on and waited for Bircham to do another foul and give them the free kick in a dangerous position.

As the players got into position the ref came in to stop all the pushing and we lost concentration for a vital moment. The free kick was swung in and Prior had a free header from six yards out. Hearts in our mouths time as Chris Day produced a truly magnificent save to keep us in as the half time whistle was blown almost immediately.

We were still in the game and the players all got together including the subs to have a group huddle for one last effort. In all honesty it looked like penalties now and with Thomson, Gallen, Furlong, Palmer and Williams all on the pitch I quite fancied us to win penalties. I didn't really want them but as it was looking the likely outcome I was still confident.

The teams looked knackered now but still Palmer and Bircham ran their hearts out in midfield and the goal almost came. Tommy Williams picked up the ball at the edge of his own area and ran with it. His direct running and pace got him to the edge of the Cardiff box in no time. Ranger's fans screamed at him to take them on and he did beating them both.

Bloody hell, we're about to witness one of the best goals seen in this stadium, Williams is in and Furlong and Thomson peel off their markers in acres of space waiting for the pull back. Williams though eyes glory and for the first time all season uses his right foot and scuffs his effort wide. My head goes buried in my hands, as that was a golden chance to win it.

That's it I thought, penalties it is and we were five minuets away when disaster struck.

A ball was aimed forward and a tired Carlisle cut it out and played a sloppy pass straight to Kavangah. The Cardiff playmaker played a long pass over the top for Campbell and as Shittu tried to stop and play off side that crucial seconds pause gave Campbell the head start he needed. Shittu sprinted back but was never going to get back in time. Campbell hit a glorious shout just millimetres over Chris Days fingertips to give Cardiff the lead.

Rangers fans fell to their knees in agony, we were so close and now it had been snatched away from us. I still believed we could get one back though as the Rangers fans got up and got right back behind the team again.

The players gave everything to get a goal but by this stage they were out on their feet and Cardiff did all they could to run the clock down. One last long ball by Shittu but that was it, the ref blew his whistle and the dreams of every QPR fans were shattered.

I couldn't believe we'd lost the games and just collapsed into my seat, tears began to flow in the QPR end as the devastation really hit us. The look on the player's faces said it all. Carlisle and Shittu were flat out on the floor in floods of tears. Bircham had his head in his hands and McLeod looked gutted.

Rose tried to console Gallen but he was pointing to the QPR fans saying "Look at them, we had to win for them" and screamed the words Oh Fuck as he threw his bottle of water down. Sentiments echoed by all QPR fans sharing this with him.

The players got a fully deserved standing ovation off the pitch as they left the field with tears in their eyes but the sound of QPR fans cheering them ringing in their ears. By this stage I was an emotional wreck just devastated by the result but deep down I was so proud of what the players had tried to do.

This team has really put some pride back in our football club and despite losing they have nothing to be ashamed of. After the game the walk back to the station was a very sombre one. Cardiff fans were mixed as some of them hurled some abuse and others just stayed quiet.

Instead of a right party on Sunday night I just had one drink and then slumped back to the hotel room and watched tv.

A few days on I feel very proud of what the team have done this season. This game was a very tight one and even the most biased Cardiff fan wouldn't argue to much that the two teams are so evenly matched we could play each other again tomorrow and they'd still be nothing between us.

So good luck to Cardiff in division one and thank you QPR. The players and supporters for such a memorable season, which took us to the Millennium stadium and gave us some many good times which we will never forget.

My main memory of the day is the sea of blue and white before the game as we sang our hearts and gave it our all for a team who give everything they have to win for us. If we can keep this team and manager together then promotion back to division one can't be far away.

Man of the Match: Danny Shittu

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