By Paresh Soni

Great venue in a lovely location, but a tough place to get to.

The main motorway is gridlocked two to three hours before kick-off Man Utd fan Jules Spencer

That is the usual reaction from fans of English clubs when asked about the Millennium Stadium.

Cardiff plays host to the FA Cup final for the fifth time on Saturday when Arsenal face Manchester United. Barring any further delays with the redeveloped Wembley, it will be the last such occasion.

While most supporters will take away fond memories of a vibrant cosmopolitan city and a comfortable sporting venue, none will miss the arduous task of getting to the Welsh capital.

"Getting in and out has been a bit of a nightmare," said Steve Powell, chairman of Arsenal Independent Supporters Association, and the Football Supporters' Federation's development officer.

"Everybody enjoys the fact that it's right in the city centre, there's everything you could possibly want - bars restaurants, hotels and the rest of it.

"But the British transport system does not cope with moving large numbers of people quickly.

"There are only two ways in and out of Cardiff really - a rail line that has no capacity to increase and one road.

"It has made it a compulsory weekend - you don't have the option like we did at Wembley of diving in and out of games."

Jules Spencer, chairman of Independent Manchester United Supporters Association, will also be making the journey on Saturday.

He added: "The city centre location is one of its appeals, particularly because a lot of stadia tend to be out-of-town complexes.

The steep stands in Cardiff help create a crescendo of noise

"But the main motorway is gridlocked two to three hours before kick-off and when you are leaving it can take four hours just to get out of the Cardiff area.

"Supporters have not been getting back until the early hours."

AA spokesman Gavin Hill-Smith had sympathy for the fans but said there was little that could be done to prevent those problems.

"The stadium has long had traffic management plans in place in terms of channelling the two sets of fans along different routes when approaching Cardiff to reduce the congestion," he explained.

"They also have park and ride, but there really isn't much more that can be done within the limitations of the road network given that significant numbers of fans will always drive.

I have tremendous memories of the Millennium Stadium and its fantastic location. The same can't be said for Wembley - I will not be going there! From CA Have your say on 606

"The M4 heading to Cardiff can be busy at the best of times but the extra traffic does have an effect. Some congestion and delay is inevitable."

Despite the travel problems, fans have been positive about the idea of playing FA and League Cup finals at Cardiff.

"The general impression I have, and of every other Arsenal fan I've spoken to - we almost have a season ticket there - is that it's been great fun," Powell said.

"In the final Arsenal played in when the roof was closed there was a tremendous crescendo. People have enjoyed the city and the experience in and around the stadium."

But the hype surrounding the deafening din caused by steep sides and a fully retractable roof does not sit easily with everyone.

GREAT CARDIFF MOMENTS League Cup 2001: Robbie Fowler put Liverpool ahead but Darren Purse equalised for Birmingham in the 90th minute. Blues had the better of extra-time but Liverpool won 5-4 on penalties. FA Cup 2001: Freddie Ljungberg put Arsenal ahead but Michael Owen scored twice in the last 10 minutes to snatch an unlikely victory. League Cup 2005: John Arne Riise scored in the first minute for Liverpool but a Steven Gerrard own goal and extra-time strikes from Didier Drogba and Mateja Kezman helped clinch a thrilling 3-2 win.

Spencer said: "It seems to generate a lot of noise for people on TV and some sections of the ground.

"But because of the acoustics you can't hear your fellow supporters at the bottom if you're in the top tier and vice versa.

"Some fans have come away thinking it's been a poor atmosphere, while others in prime seats have said it's been decent."

Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock has managed teams in play-off finals at the old Wembley and in Cardiff.

He said: "The Millennium is a great stadium but I don't think the atmosphere is anywhere near as good as the old Wembley from the bench level and for the players.

"Perhaps I'm biased because we seemed to win every time we went to Wembley, but I'll be happy when it's re-opened.

"Having said that I do understand that the atmosphere for the fans is terrific when the roof is closed - if the new Wembley could have done that it would have been great."

Powell believes the key to the redeveloped Wembley emulating Cardiff will be what is outside the stadium rather than it's dazzling design.

"What everybody would like to see is for it to have a life outside the stadium," he added.

"It's always been a bit soulless going there because there's only about two pubs within walking distance.

"Part of the plan is to make the whole area a 24/7 experience - it used to be a giant ground surrounded by warehouses - and it has to have a variety of places for people to enjoy themselves around the stadium.