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"Half the ground was empty, the United fans couldn't bear to watch. They had scarpered, gone home.
"That's not the way I was brought up. I'm a traditionalist and, for me, a full Wembley stadium when the winning captain lifts the cup is as much about the history of the day as anything.
"That's why I was absolutely delighted to see the Cardiff fans remain behind and applaud us, as well as their own team.
"They must have been gutted. Their team had just played so well, given us a real run for their money, but had lost.
"Yet those Cardiff supporters were gracious in defeat and I thought it was absolutely superb of them to watch right to the very end.
"The first thing I did, as Sol Campbell went up to lift the cup, was look to the Cardiff end. They were still there in their thousands and I can't thank them enough.
"That's what the FA Cup should be about. That's what it has been historically about.
"The two sets of supporters were brilliant, Between us, Cardiff and Portsmouth have restored pride and romance to what has always been a great old competition.
"This is what the day should be about, the fans. In the last 12 years, one of the big four has won the cup.
"It's become monotonous for their supporters. Oh, another trip to Wembley. Shall we go this year or not?
"Well, this time Cardiff and Pompey fans couldn't get their hands on enough tickets. The thirst to go was enormous.
"They enjoyed the day from first minute to last, they enjoyed the build up, they enjoyed the fact their team was in the final.
"More than anything, the cup final should be about the fans. This one was. I salute Cardiff's supporters for the special part they played in cup final day."
Dave Jones reflected on the action on the pitch knowing his side had come very close to winning the FA Cup.
"In the first half Kanu should have scored when Glenn (Loovens) slipped and you think maybe that's the bit of luck you need for it to be your day.
"But unfortunately one mistake can always cost you the game and that's that in football.
"Of course the goal could have been avoided, but there's no blame to be attached to anyone, it's something that happens and this time it's come in a cup final where there wasn't anything between the two sides.
"Peter's not had much else to do, but that one goal was enough to win the cup for them - but it's not the time to look for scapegoats.
"The stats show we've matched them all over the pitch and that's against a very good Premier League side so I don't think many of my players can be too disappointed with themselves.
"I couldn't have asked for much more from them and the players did everything I asked from them.
"We took the game to Portsmouth - that was the only way we could do it, but unfortunately we fell at the last hurdle.
"We had matched them in every department and the way Harry set out with one up front is just a huge credit to my players - but it did make them very difficult to break down.
"Yet we did and still created half chances, but it didn't happen for us.
"We had a go and pushed hard in the second half, but Harry's come away with the cup - and he deserved it because his side's got the goal to win it.
"But that still doesn't make me feel any better, and neither will the players.
"We have to be allowed a little bit of sorrow and a bit of self pity because it doesn't matter if we're a Championship club or not, losing an FA Cup final still hurts the same and we still wanted to win it as much.
"They still had players throwing bodies on the line at the death.
"I was proud to lead that team out and it will be a long time before anyone gets the chance to do it again because there will be Premier League chairmen looking at us and wanting to know why they weren't there instead of us.
"But those players gave it their best shot and on another day it might have happened.
"But we didn't let anybody down and that was the important thing. We didn't let ourselves down, our families, our friends, the club or the supporters down.
"We had a right go and that's what I expected from them."