A DUNDEE pensioner will today make an emotional trip to Wembley Stadium to watch Cardiff City contest their first FA Cup final since her father helped them lift the trophy in 1927.

Accompanying Irene Beattie (79) and her family on a day described as a “dream come true” will be the inscribed pocket watch that forward Sam Irving was presented with as a member of the cup-winning team.

Eight decades on, the Welsh side are looking to repeat the feat against Portsmouth, and Mrs Beattie said the occasion will bring back memories of her late father.

“I’m really thrilled that my family went behind my back and organised this,” laughed Mrs Beattie.

“I was just going to watch it on TV but there’s nothing like the atmosphere of a football match.

“I went down to London in the 1970s and saw round the old Wembley, but it will be absolutely super to see the new one.

“It will be a day for remembering too—your parents are never far from your thoughts no matter how long ago they passed away.”

Mrs Beattie described her father, who died in 1969, as a gentleman who loved football and always sought to help local junior clubs.

He was never boastful and she could not recall him talking about the famous 1927 victory over Arsenal—the only time the FA Cup has ever been taken out of England.

Irving, an Irish international, had two spells with Dundee, and played in their Scottish Cup final defeat to Celtic in 1925. He then went one better at Cardiff and later turned out for Chelsea.

In 1938 he was involved in a takeover of Dundee United, taking control as joint-manager and director with Jimmy Brownlie.

Mrs Beattie said, “He was always held in high regard. When I was young walking around Dundee with my father, everyone said ‘hello Sam’ and I remember wondering why everyone knew him!”

Mrs Beattie, son Bryan and daughter June Barclay will attend this afternoon’s Wembley final after the Welsh club responded to their request for tickets.

Bryan said, “This was a bit of a surprise and she’s absolutely delighted. I think it will be an emotional day for her because that final has always been in our family.

“My grandfather never spoke to me about it, but he left me his gold pocket watch that was inscribed by the club on the occasion of winning the final.

“I’ll be taking that with me as a wee reminder of him and that great event 81 years ago.”

The current Cardiff City squad includes Dundee-born Kevin McNaughton, former Dundee midfielder Gavin Rae and ex-Dundee United star Steven Thompson.