The magic lives on. Brentford and Fulham fans make morning ‘pilgrimage’ to Wembley

Sadly fans will not be inside Wembley Stadium this evening, as West London neighbours and rival Fulham take on Brentford in the Championship play-off final.

Some may emphasise the amount of money that is hanging on the result but that means far less to the most dedicated fans in the game.

For them, the magic of Wembley nonetheless lives on and and some of them made their way to the Home of Football to pay their respects before a match they cannot attend.

One of them, a Brentford fan, known locally as Billy the Bee, called it a ‘pilgrimage’, noting:

“You can’t come to a final without walking down Wembley Way.”

Billy worked at the stadium as a kid and his passion for the arena was palpable, when Prost International spoke to him earlier this afternoon.

With him was his daughter Bella who understood the size of today’s occasion even though it was tinged with sadness:

“I’m very sad because this is my first ever game and I don’t get to go into the stadium to watch it, she added.”

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Fulham FC might have been at Wembley somewhat more recently, having played in the same fixture two years ago against Aston Villa, and that was part of the incentive for Stephen Peterman to return.

They were not alone.

Greg Swatton brought his daughter Bonnie, and a father and son duo, the March family, came in with their Brentford flag.

Greg and Bonnie goes to every match home and away but takes nothing for granted.

Although his club are back there for the second time in two years, he remembers the long 43 year gap between their appearance at the 1975 FA Cup final and their 2018 match with Aston Villa.

All of them will be returning to watch the game from home but their hearts will be at Wembley from 7.45 tonight.

Kick off is at 7.45 and you can follow our coverage  at @ProstInt and from @Steve_Clare who will be at the stadium.