European Soccer Final to Bring Drama, Tension to Royal Falconer in Redlands

Chelsea FC endured a rout Tuesday in Liverpool, but they have a bigger match May 19 at Bayern Munich for the Champions League final, and Redlands-area supporters of both teams may turn out at the Royal Falconer British Pub on Orange Street.

"Most people pull for Manchester United, but they're not in it," Falconer general manager Marina Vasquez said Tuesday at halftime of Liverpool's 4-1 Premier League defeat of Chelsea, which aired live in Redlands.

Royal Falconer owner Richard Faulkner, who died in September 2010, was an avid supporter of Chelsea FC, and a few of his mementos are still displayed in the pub.

Vic Jay, 36, a Liverpool supporter and Redlands resident from Singapore, watched Tuesday's match at the Falconer.

While the Liverpool-Chelsea match was still 0-0, Jay said he was hoping his team would get revenge for their loss to Chelsea on Saturday in the F.A. Cup final.

"Liverpool's home at Anfield," Jay said. "They have pride to play. Liverpool needs to win just to show who's boss."

Jay said there are plenty of people who pull for Chelsea and Bayern in the Redlands area.

"There's a lot of English fan base in Redlands, and there's also a huge amount of German Bayern Munich fans here. . . . And it's Bayern Munich home, they're playing the game in Munich. So I think Munich has a better chance. . . .

"There will be a good number of people here. For sure."

Vasquez, who started working with Faulkner years ago when they ran the Pig's Ear on Hospitality Lane, said she made up her own mind over time to pull for Chelsea. She said she still has a Chelsea shirt Faulkner gave her, and she might pull it out for the Champions League final.

"Soccer wasn't so popular 20 years ago," Vasquez said. "All those kids who played it grew up, and some of them like to watch. We'll be open in time for the match, and we'll have full English breakfast: British banger, fried egg, bacon, tomato, beans."

Coverage of the Champions League final is expected to begin at 11 a.m. Pacific Time, Saturday May 19. The Royal Falconer British Pub is at 106 Orange St., Redlands. For more information call (909) 307-8913.