Huge Potential Cup Final Dilema!!!

[daveywestham]

Some of you guys will know I am currently in the UK on a months holiday. However I am due to fly back 1 week before the FA Cup final.

Providing of course that West Ham get over that small hurdle that is the Semi Final vs Middlesboro on Sunday, i have been given the possible opportunity (for a very large fee) of joining the Australian Hammers in a hospitality box at Cardiff for the final.

The Obsticles:

1) My Wife - It is going to cost me a substantial amount of money. However I feel I can counter the argument with the fact that if I hadn't been dragged over to Australia to live in her country then I would still have my season ticket and would be able to pick up a face value ticket no problems and therefore it is only due to these extenuating circumstances I have to pay through the nose.

2) My Job - This could prove to be a major obsticle. If I can not get their blessing to come home a week late having already been off for a month this could have a big effect on not only my job but my career. If I decide to say fuck it and go without their blessing I risk being sacked. Not the best job I've had so easy to walk away but if I get the sack it is a huge blip on my CV and therefore my career could be at risk.

What would you do?????:eek:

[gunnersfan]

its your team!!!!!!!!!!!!

next time your here they might not get so far ;)

i say do everything you can to stay.

[daveywestham]

its your team!!!!!!!!!!!!

next time your here they might not get so far ;)

i say do everything you can to stay.

I'll definately be making the call to work straight after the semi final if we win. However I am expecting a big negative reaction from them :( I think it will come down to me either going home as planned or telling them tough luck I'm going anyway and risk the sack. :rolleyes:

[Lonso]

Oh davey davey,

Can't help you with the decision but can only wish you luck buddy :D

It's all the damn Aussies' fault! :p

[saurabh]

Stay at home. Listen to your wife. Many opportunities will arise in future if you can work hard now. So focus on your career and who knows you may afford to go to UK every week!

;)

[chauchey]

tell your boss the truth, and leave the decision to him/her. If they give their blessing, then move onto your wife and ask her. But tell the truth, and that way you wont have regrets at the end of it all. There might be a better opp. next time around. I've had experiences like this where they've turned out(although not quite this grand) and some that havent. In the end, if you live life to the fullest, you will have the same satisfaction from any situation. Not just the ones that others might exault you for.

[Ziegler1988]

Personally I would go to the Cup Final. I mean how often have West Ham made a FA Cup Final?

[shizz]

Personally I would go to the Cup Final. I mean how often have West Ham made a FA Cup Final?
exactly mate,and IF they get there again,what are the odds that your gonna be over here to go,but its a tough call mate.good luck in whatever you decide to do

[Sammy 21]

It's a once in a lifetime opportunity. But is it worth getting the sack for and possibly ruining your career over? Tough decision.

[Bruun]

Tough one...

I must admit I'd go to watch the final. When Brøndby drew Barcelona, I just had to go to Nou Camp. No matter what...

Hope the best for you. To watch your team in the FA Cup final is huge!

[steve huge]

See you in Cardiff ;)

[jeffie]

what about flying back to Australia after your holiday ends and just ask for 2 days off for the final and fly back to Cardiff then...?

[varun]

what about flying back to Australia after your holiday ends and just ask for 2 days off for the final and fly back to Cardiff then...?
exactly and then also tell your boss the truth no matter what, this works so often but no one tries it.

It's THE FA cup final, so explain to him in aussie rules terms and he might get it ;)

[Bruun]

what about flying back to Australia after your holiday ends and just ask for 2 days off for the final and fly back to Cardiff then...?

Yeah... Go all the way! Borrow a few quid at the bank, buy a nice pressie for the wife, fly back and then return to Cardiff for the game of your life, in a VIP Skybox... with free champagne when Marlon Harewood scores a hattrick!

PS: I'll root for West Ham ,when they play 'Boro.

[Ultimate_Red_Devil]

Go for it.

Explain to your job that it's rather like needing to go see "The Ashes" in person. They'll get that reference. :)

As for your wife, relationships are about compromise. My gf let me go to a coworker's bachelor party but she wore me out pretty damn good beforehand. :D :cool:

[stcronaldo]

hopefully boro beat westham and u wont hav that dilemma :p

[madtroll]

Tell your boss (and wife if need be) that you have caught bird flu, and they won't let you leave the country until you have completed the quarantine process. That happens to be the day after the cup final.

Tell them bird flu poses a huge risk to kangaroos.

[Jason]

wife and gainful employment VS footy allegiance

odd man out here says ask yer wife, if she says it's cool then ask the boss, jobs come and go in this day and age but the wife is family, the love of your life right?

Snap out of it Davey, you'll see the game and still be a supporter regardless :)

Here's to hoping it's all doable with nothing lost in the end!

[tringo99]

I don't mean to disrespect West Ham but this kind of opportunity will probably happen once in your life-time.

I wouldn't even think twice, it just seems like all the stars have alligned perfectly so that you can see this match.:)

[indomitable_lion]

hopefully boro beat westham and u wont hav that dilemma :pI second this comment.
This way we can have Boro, Blackburn and Arsenal in the UEFA cup next year :D

Tell your boss (and wife if need be) that you have caught bird flu, and they won't let you leave the country until you have completed the quarantine process. That happens to be the day after the cup final.

Tell them bird flu poses a huge risk to kangaroos.LOL

[ELLADA]

Two words my friend...

family illness

[Claret&Blues]

West Ham. 1980 FA Cup winners. I was 6 years old sitting on my dad's shoulders as the winner's team bus drove down Barking Road to Upton Park. I can look at all those old photos now but don't have any recollection. Fast forward to 2006 and the next best chance of (hopefully) making an FA Cup final and I'm out living in Japan! I have no chance of getting back to the UK in time to see the Final, since I am due to return anyway in July. Flying out in May only to return to Japan and then go back to England in July is out of the question in terms of my finances. :( However Davey, come on mate, if you're already there... I mean ANYTHING could happen. Work won't have to be none the wiser. I know after a month asking for an extra week is pushing it a bit, but I'd have to say bending the truth might be in order here! Once you've got an watertight excuse for work, I'm sure you could work your magic with the misses! :D

[indomitable_lion]

If you give them an excuse I just hope none of your bosses are watcing the game and the camera zoom's in on your face as the saddest west ham fan as they get hammered.

Then, it would be a double whammy. :D

[pantlessjim]

Ask the wife. If she says yes, call work. If they say no, say fuck off. If the wife says no, call a few days later and give the bird flu excuse. Use medical expenses as an excuse for the high charge card bill. :D

[yammy]

Last final in Cardiff. Atmosphere from your opponent's supporters alone is enough to want to go. Roof will be closed.

Let's see if we can beat our world record for the loudest fans.:rolleyes: ;)

[been_extreme]

Cup Final davey.

In fact, you're looking quite ill around the time you should be flying back, I think you'll have to stay in England to 'recover' ;)

I guess in a few hours we'll know if you have to make the decision...

[jr!]

Your job pays your mortgage, the final doesn't.

If it's a big deal with your job/wife then it's really not worth losing your job over.

[ELLADA]

davey, I hope you will give us an update on the situation! I cannot believe that the majority voted for attending the game. I assume the average voters' age is 17. :) The wife is never a problem really, but you can always decide not to put out :), and then you will regain the upper hand eventually.

If your employers do not know that you are a big WHU fan, then there is a fat chance they will realize the true reason for your absence... If they do, then you have a guaranteed job in Montreal in a call centre. You need to know French though, and it is roughly the minimum wage. :)

[dbod]

LOL @ Ellada's job offer :)

Did you go to the semi davey? This might be enough, finals are not normally great, especially when you lose :P

It does seem a fair point that your employers will see through any bs, especially when you come back with a big WHU Forever tattoo!

[Orientdave]

Dear Davey,

I feel for you Davey. An Irons cup final is a rare thing that is true. After the heady days of the mid 70s to early 80s (2 F.A. Cup appearances, League and Cup Winners Cup final appearances) there have been lean times. I hope I can help in your decision with a little story.

I was lucky enough to be at the 1981 League Cup final (Sammy Lee was DEFINATELY offside on the floor by the way, I was in line in the stands!); a young boy of 13 at his first Wembley Final. Trevor Brooking even walked in front of my dad's car on the way out. Can you imagine with me at 13 years old how that felt? WOW! What a day!!

That day I still remember. One of the best memories of my childhood even though we lost the replay; that day as an event in my life was just (insert superlative).

Then where should I be but Japan in 2002 when the World Cup brings its circus to town. Quarter Final and agaisnt Brazil too. What with the game two hours away by Bullet Train and being self employed too it was a no-brainer. Six hours of trying outside the ground and I get a ticket from a Brit who lives in France but whose wife was too sick to make it that day. (Should you be a member of Maxxed... THANKS AGAIN!!!).

That day I don't remember, though it was only 4 years ago now.

Both results didn't go my team's way. Both days were once in a lifetime chances and I was lucky to get to do both. Would I go again?

Well, the 13 year old wouldn't even think twice. I would be in Cardiff no question. Yet, the 37 year old with a wife and family and business to run wouldn't be there because he'd feel the price might be too high.

The decision whether you opt to stay in the end may hopefully rest on others shoulders (who are your employers? Do you want us to plead your case??), however if you find you are faced with the situation that your staying would create issues with your family, employers and future prospects then ignore all we say here mate, find your favorite spot, with your favourite drink, book, music or whatever and mull it over. You will know if the price of staying is one you want to pay or not. Trust your own judgement and hope to catch up at a hammers game sometime.

Dave

[Yusuf]

wife and gainful employment VS footy allegiance

odd man out here says ask yer wife, if she says it's cool then ask the boss, jobs come and go in this day and age but the wife is family, the love of your life right?
I completely second that... jobs come and go... wife is super important but if put that aside for a bit (hopefully she will agree), you dont know when would be next time west ham play in an Fa Cup final, maybe next year, maybe 10 years, you dont know. And since you are already in england, well then go for it. I wont recommend lying to your employer... just tell them the truth, it will make you feel good even if, in the worst case, they sack you, atleast you were honest to them and the truth will save you from thinking about it again and again. Getting punished for telling the truth is no punishment indeed.

[jhh]

VIP box at Millenium LFC-WUFC FA Cup Final.
Have you made a decision?

I vote FA Cup.

If your wife loves you, she'd be happy to see you go.
If your boss loves you, it might get picant, but then you can always pay him/her back naturalia.

[Bruun]

<spoiler />

What the final decision??? :)

[daveywestham]

Okay the decision is no I'm not going. :( I'm absolutely devastated to be honest.

The money in question was 850 pounds. I discussed this in depth with the wife and after much consideration we decided that yes we could part with the cash and I should go because quite frankly I may not be alive next time there is a final involving West Ham.

However I think it is time to look for a new job when I return to Australia. I don't think I can stand to look the man who crushed my dreams in the eye - yes I am talking about my boss. He wouldn't have it :mad: . You see he has not replaced the staff that have left over the last 3 years and his reasons for not letting me stay on are that we are too thin on the ground to have people off for that length of time. Twat, cunt arse! Fuckstain! Help me out here - got any other words I can call the tushy faced motherfucker??? :mad: Ooooh that feels better! Slightly anyway :( Bollocks!

[moymatt]

that sucks, too bad you couldn't use up all those spare vacation days to pull it off

[pantlessjim]

However I think it is time to look for a new job when I return to Australia.

Damn right! Call that twat up and say "I quit," stay for the cup final, and find a job when you get back.


Make sure to kiss the wifey and say thank you as well. :D :p

[tringo99]

I don't really understand. Haven't you lost in 2 ways.:confused:

1) You aren't going to the game.
and.
2)You don't have a job.

I feel seriously sorry for you davey. Hopefully West Ham can win to ease your problems.

[bestservechilled]

davey - as others have said - if the jobs not worth going back for then go to the final.

[Bruun]

Go to the final, mate...

If YOU quit the job, then it will not look as bad on your CV...

[jlimty]

However I think it is time to look for a new job when I return to Australia. I don't think I can stand to look the man who crushed my dreams in the eye - yes I am talking about my boss. He wouldn't have it :mad:

Sorry mate you're not making sense. If you're going to quit the job when you return to Australia anyway why not quit the job now and go to the cup final? Since the missus has already given her blessing the only thing stopping you now is your job (which you are going to quit anyway) So to hell with that bastard! Get in there! :)

[daveywestham]

Sorry mate you're not making sense. If you're going to quit the job when you return to Australia anyway why not quit the job now and go to the cup final? Since the missus has already given her blessing the only thing stopping you now is your job (which you are going to quit anyway) So to hell with that bastard! Get in there! :)

I have a career and I need a reference - if I leave without notice or get the sack then there will be a major blip on my resume. It is hard enough to get a job in Brisbane as an Englishman without that mate :rolleyes: :(

[akibo]

Isn't it possible to get before the game - You have 2 weeks time - then say that You want to resign & then perhaps travel back to watch the game..

although I think that it won't be an option, coz all that flying will cost tons :(

[zaffo]

Bird Flu solves every problem :D ...or call work tell him that ur wife is ill and you wont be able to get back on the orginal date as she cant fly....or if u still have family in England tell ur boss that one of them is ill or sumthing and cant fly back when expected...plenty of ways to bullshit to your boss to get the required days off to attend really a RARE FA CUP FINAL FOR WEST HAM FOR YEARS.... Hell what happens if the hammers dont make another cup final in the next 30-40-50 years? You will look back and think fuck me dead why was I so stupid not to go to that final.

And it makes more sence to goto the final if your gonna quit your job when you get back to Oz anyways. FUCK YOUR JOB AND BOSS ...West Ham needs YOU there!!!

[Lonso]

Look guys I think the man's made his decision and I know you are all trying to help by persuading him, but I think it'll only make things more difficult for Davey. IMO its best to just give your commiserations and support his decision if you want to be helpful.

Dave I'm sure West Ham will soon be in another cup final mate, judging by their progress, and you'll be there when they lift the cup. (not this time though :p ) Have a safe trip coming back down here buddy :)

[jlimty]

I have a career and I need a reference - if I leave without notice or get the sack then there will be a major blip on my resume. It is hard enough to get a job in Brisbane as an Englishman without that mate :rolleyes: :(

Right my bad. I forgot that you had already talked to your boss about it. Nice gesture by the missus for being so understanding. All the best mate :)

[daveywestham]

Look guys I think the man's made his decision and I know you are all trying to help by persuading him, but I think it'll only make things more difficult for Davey. IMO its best to just give your commiserations and support his decision if you want to be helpful.

Dave I'm sure West Ham will soon be in another cup final mate, judging by their progress, and you'll be there when they lift the cup. (not this time though :p ) Have a safe trip coming back down here buddy :)

You're right. The opportunity is gone now anyway it needed to be done and dusted by 48 hours after the semi - all places in the box are now allocated and I'll be watching from the pig n whistle in Brisbane. :(

It sucks as I've had a season ticket for 6 of the last 10 years and only my emmigration stopped that continuation. :rolleyes:

I've had a small share of glory if not a major cup final. I was at Old Trafford when Di Canio knocked Man U out of the FA Cup, I was also away in Metz when we turned around the intertoto final 1-0 home deficit to win 3-1. I was at White Hart Lane when Ian Wright lobbed the keeper in the 3rd Minute from 30 yards. I was at Stamford Bridge when Paul Kitson bundled the Ball over the line for a 1-0 win. Nothing Like an FA Cup final but at least I can watch it on TV. I think West Ham are on the verge of something good ATM and another oppotunity could come my way in the next few years. :cool: