Former Player Interview - Danny Gabbidon

Danny Gabbidon looks ahead to the big FA Cup clash with Liverpool and hopes to see his former club gain some revenge

When the draw was made for the Emirates FA Cup tie between Liverpool and West Ham, memories started flooding back for a former West Ham defender.


Few could forget the last time the Hammers reached the FA Cup Final and were facing the Merseyside club at the Millennium Stadium back in 2006.


Alan Pardew's side were leading 3-2 heading into injury time and looked set to win the club's first piece of major silverware since 1980.


But the ball fell to Steven Gerrard 35-yards from goal and he fired an unstoppable shot which flew past Shaka Hislop into the corner of the net to take the game into extra-time.


The West Ham fans later suffered heartbreak as Liverpool won the Final 3-1 on penalties.


Gabbidon, who lined up alongside Anton Ferdinand at the heart of the Hammers defence that day, still gets reminded of the events which took place and would love to see his former side finally bring a trophy back to the Boleyn Ground.


Gabbidon said: “People still speak to me all the time about the Final, so when the two sides go drawn to face each other this year, it did bring back a lot of memories.


“Hopefully we can go some way to settling the score and the team can go on to have a lengthy run in the competition.


“It was certainly a strange day, but I have to say it was still one of the best of my career because I never expected to play in an FA Cup Final.


“It was a really exciting game, but to lose the way we did was heartbreaking. I know Lionel Scaloni still gets some stick for what happened and we all thought we had won the game – including Alan Pardew.


“The one player you didn't want the ball to fall to was Steven Gerrard and we all know what happened next.


“When the game went to penalties we thought it would be hard to win as Pepe Reina was one of the best keepers in the world and we had a lack of experienced penalty takers.”


Despite the result, it was still a memorable season for the Hammers who had only just gained promotion back into the Premier League and defied all the odds to reach the final.


Gabbidon added: “It was unbelievable for us to reach the final in the first place. It was our first year back in the top flight and we went on this great run.


“The draw favoured us a bit and we then found ourselves in the semi-final playing Middlesbrough at Villa Park.


“It is the best feeling to reach the final and I never ever thought I would get to a major cup final. I can still remember the lads celebrating after the game.


“There was a big bath in the dressing room and everyone dived in and there was a lot of excitement.


“It would be a fitting way for us to end our final ever season at the Boleyn Ground if the lads could go on and win the competition. I am sure they are targeting a good run with the squad they have.”


Gabbidon has special praise for his close friend and former team-mate James Collins who has been one of the star performers this season and would love nothing more than to see the Welsh international climb the famous steps at Wembley on May 21.


He added: “Ginge has been fantastic. When you are competing in the Premier League you are facing tough strikers every week and you have to be consistent.


“He has shown fantastic form and wanted to prove a point after being out of favour at the start of the season.


“He always gives 110 per cent no matter what and I know he was thrilled to sign a new contract recently as he loves the club.


“When I joined West Ham with Ginge, we didn't realise how big the fan base was and were getting approached by people when we went on holiday who were Hammers fans. The club is huge and deserves success.


“When the fans are behind you it is amazing and makes you want to perform even more. Ginge is one of the first to recognise that and I would be so proud if he could go and win the FA Cup this season.”