When Jones says “off the pitch” he is referring to things that are not directly related to his team’s performance in games. Jones is pleased that his team have done so well “with everything that has gone on off the pitch” – in spite of everything that has happened off the pitch.
Jones is no doubt alluding to 暗示 his club’s ongoing financial difficulties 财政困难. Reaching the final will help matters – it will allow the club to wipe off 一笔勾销 at least ￡1m (14m RMB) of debts.
What’s more, there is a possibility that Cardiff could play in the Uefa Cup 欧洲联盟杯. It is normal for the winners of the FA Cup to qualify, but because it is an English competition and Cardiff are a Welsh club, they do not have an automatic right to play in Europe.
Dave Jones described the situation as "politically... a minefield 雷区", meaning that progress on the matter will be slow and difficult. “Political” here has a broad meaning, referring to power struggles within an organisation.
Jones made his feelings plain when he said, “If they stop us getting into Europe there will be all hell to pay and I'll be first in the queue."
“There’ll be hell to pay” is a very informal way of saying that you will be angry if something happens or doesn’t happen. “I’ll be first in the queue” shows that Jones will be ready to give his opinion, if Cardiff are refused a place in the Uefa Cup.
However, Uefa have signalled that they are prepared to give the Bluebirds a wildcard 入场券 if they beat Portsmouth on May 17. But that’s a big ‘if’ 很大的悬念 – Portsmouth are currently sixth in the Premier League 英超联赛, the division above Cardiff.
