By Chloe Reynolds (29/5/26)
Above: Fran Kirby preparing for the FA Cup final against Manchester City. Photo: BHAFCWomen on X
Brighton & Hove Albion forward Fran Kirby spoke to the media ahead of the FA cup final. Kirby is no stranger to the FA Cup having won it with Chelsea on four occasions (2014/15, 2017/18, 2021/22 and the 22/23 season), and she spoke about how excited she is to be heading back to Wembley stadium.
“I mean, I always hoped that I would have an opportunity to play at Wembley again. Of course, every footballer wants to play in an FA cup final when you’ve grown up in this country. You know how prestigious the trophy is to win.
“I think, you know, when you move to a club like Brighton, who historically have never been an FA Cup final, you hope that maybe one day you’d get there, but, you know, I spoke to the girls about it and I said, “you know, I never thought that I would be able to have a chance to play at Wembley again.”
“I’m really excited for it and I’m really happy for the for the girls who maybe haven’t experienced it because it’s such an amazing day and I’m happier for them probably than I am for myself that they’re going to get a chance to play an FA Cup final.”
Brighton are going into this game as the underdogs and Kirby expressed what she feels the seagulls need to do; “not under any illusion going into an FA Cup final. I think everyone playing at this level has pressure. So, I don’t think, we are under less pressure than Manchester City because they are the champions of England. We can’t you know we can’t not.
“But we also know what we are capable of as a team and we have confidence and we have belief in the team. We know it’s going to be a really tough day, they (Manchester City) are probably more than likely going to dominate possession, but what can we do to counteract that? What can we do to use our strengths? So, you know, of course, there’s pressure for both teams going in.
“I think it’s just one team has the pressure just because of certain situations, but of course, with them being the champions of England, there’s going to be a high end pressure on them and hopefully one, you know, that we can take advantage of.”
Kirby also shared how her routine has changed when it comes to preparing ahead of major games like this; “I wouldn’t say it’s changed. I’m quite a chilled person to be honest, so I like to go into games just the same. Relaxing throughout the week, training hard, being prepared. See, I like to be prepared. I like to know the game plan. I like to know what my role is in that. I like to know what other people’s roles are in that so I can help them if something happens.
“I’m very switched on from a football side, but I think away from it, I like to relax. I like to switch off. Like to not think about it. But yeah, I would say I’m quite chilled, probably compared to a lot of people who like to have things kind of structured and really intense, so yeah, I’ve probably been the same since my first FA Cup game.!
Kirby also shared her message to the fans ahead of this historic final and what hearing the chants means; “We want to hear you. We want you to be loud. We want to see as many Brighton fans as we can there. They’ve been absolutely incredible this season, home and away. Their support has been amazing and hopefully, you know, they can cheer for us as loud as they can one last time this season and hopefully, we can be celebrating at the end together, I like to hear it.
“Obviously, a lot of the time to be fair. I hear a lot, even if there’s a fan standing literally 2 yards away from me. I’m so focussed on the game. I probably won’t hear you, you’re running with the ball, when you’re in, when you’re going forward, then you feel it and you can feel kind of like the heartbeats getting faster and faster. So, in their moments, I like to hear it. But when I’m focussing on, you know, a set piece or a throw in or whatever, then I don’t really hear it, but it definitely helps. It definitely helps and there’s some players who will be a lot different to me who will need it. They’ll need that fit that hearing from the crowd and the cheers. So, I think just keep doing whatever you can to be behind the girls and support them.”
The Women’s FA semi-final between Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester City takes place on Sunday 23rd May at Wembley Stadium with kick off commencing at 3pm.
Follow Impetus on social media:
@ImpetusFootball on Threads, Instagram and TikTok.
impetusfootball.org 