SMASHING DAY OUT FOR CUP FINAL; Bluenose Army raises roof with victory roar.

FAMILIES joined forces with one voice to raise the roof at Wembley.

One of the Bluenose Army, Kevin Drew, 47, travelled from St Andrew's to London on one of 60 coaches with sons Simon and Kevin.

A fan for 40 years, Kevin senior said it was a once-ina-lifetime opportunity to share with his sons.

"I've been waiting 40 years for this day to come - just superb," he said.

Simon, 25, a manager from Chelmsley Wood, said: "To get to Wembley and cheer the mighty Blues to victory is superb, it could be once in a life time."

Kevin junior, also 25, a warehouse worker, added: "It's amazing to qualify for Europe and it's good for the club, it shows we're going in the right direction."

Computer network engineer Pete Miller, aged 58, from Bournville, also made the trip to London with his sons.

He said of the big day: "I can't put it into words, it's fantastic."

Son Mark, 30, an engineer, said simply watching the historic match was ''the best thing ever.'' And brother Steve, 33, remembering the Blues' visit to Wembley in the 1995 Auto-Windscreens Shield final, said: "I was only a dot then. This is a huge achievement."

Meanwhile, Phil Roberts, aged 27, was at the match with friends Keith Draper, aged 59, and Kirstie Draper, 30, all from Sutton Cold-field.

Phil said: ''It's been a great day out for the Blues fans, a massive game for us."

Keith said: "We've really made the most of this. What a superb day!" Steve and Sylvia Meredith, from Tyseley, were at Wembley for the historic result. Steve, aged 56, said: "We've been waiting for this for years.

''It's something to tell your grandchildren about."

The Sheldon family from Derby almost never made it after dad Steve, aged 46, underwent surgery on Saturday night.

He was joined at Wembley by his wife Maxine, aged 46, and daughters Hannah, aged 20, and Laura, 18.

He said: "It was touch and go as to whether we were going to make it.

"Maxine queued for 11 hours to get tickets so I suppose we always knew it was never going to be easy.'' FOR MORE FANS PICTURES CLICK ON BIRMINGHAMMAIL.NET/MULTIMEDIA Never forget: Dave Slater went to Wembley wearing a shirt in memory of his brother Tony.

CAPTION(S):

Family matters: Simon Drew, Kevin Drew and Kevin Drew snr head off to see history in the making. cut above: Keith Wood and his son Callum, aged seven, from fashion stakes. A Yardley, were ahead of the game in the Blue invasion: Anthony Hemming and Kevin Makley show their support for Blues boss Alex McLeish. We're at Wembley: The rain couldn't dampen these fans' spirits.

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Title Annotation:	Features
Publication:	Birmingham Mail (England)
Date:	Feb 28, 2011
Words:	452
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