In case you had forgotten, today is FA Cup Final day. The first one I properly remember was the 1969 Final between Manchester City and Leicester City. The game itself was pretty unremarkable but that Manchester City side were the last team to win the Cup with an all English side - except for West Ham in 1975 of course. I remember buying Shoot magazine on the day and cutting out a poster of David Nish which found its way onto my bedroom wall alongside Moore, Hurst, Peters, Sissons, Redknapp and Boyce. For the first time I was consciously caught up in the build up - all the excitement surrounding the TV coverage, with the journey from the hotel to Wembley, player interviews, the panel of experts and what not. I had stepped into the magical world of the football fan and for decades afterwards, the Cup held me in its spell.
But today? Today feels to me like one big yawn. Chelsea v Everton, it should be a major event, two near Titans of the game in head to head conflict, two clubs associated with gladiatorial approaches to the game, two clubs linked with style and culture through Kendall, Harvey, Ball, Osgood, Hudson and Cooke. But for all the "glamour" of the modern game, for all the big star billing of the Ballacks, Lampards and Drogbas, does anybody really feel any excitement about today, outside of the fan base of both clubs of course. It used to be so different, it used to be that everybody affiliated themselves with one of the two clubs and became a supporter for the day. In 69 I was a Leicester fan, because of the Nish poster and because, after being relegated in the same season, Leicester were the underdogs. Think back to the epic Chelsea v Leeds tussle - everybody in the country wanted the swanky West End individuals to overcome the grinding machine of Bastard United. In 73, the whole nation were wearing red and white stripes as Stokoe's Davids slayed the Revie Goliath. Great days, even though West Ham were not at the party.
But now? Now it is just another game. TV will make a half hearted attempt to pretend it is special but we all know differently. Strangely, even the Champions League Final felt like a side show this year; the FA Cup Final is like a Punch and Judy booth, quaint and irrelevant, tucked away at the end of the pier of a long season. It is a shame but by playing the semifinals at Wembley, by tolerating understrength teams in the earlier rounds, because of saturation TV coverage of football, due to the dominance of the big 4 and because the Cup Winners Cup was abolished, the once great FA Cup has been tarnished to the point where it almost feels embarrassing. Not that old thing Mum? Why do you keep polishing in? Why not put it up in the loft and forget about it eh?
That isn't true for the Everton and Chelsea fans of course - they will enjoy their day out; but I bet even they will yearn for the Twin Towers and the magic of the old days even as they take their seats and await kickoff in the greatest side show the world has ever known!
For the record, I predict a Chelsea victory on penalties after a dour 0-0 or 1-1 game. In consequence, for the first time since 1969, I won't even be watching!
13 comments:
There is definitely something pathetic about a writer who has no interest in his subject matter, yet proceeds to write several paragraphs about it.
He tells us he cannot be bothered to view the game, yet expects us to view his opinion of the event in his column.
I think the writer, instead of focusing on how the FA Cup has lost its sheen (in his opinion), should instead think about how football writing has gone down the drain ever since the Internet gave a public voice to time-wasters who have the temerity to think we might be interested in what they themselves are not interested in. A pitiful article by a charlatan scribbler.
Some big words there mate. You can't be from Liverpool.
Think it's quite a good article personally, and definitely in line with the mood of most football fans I know...
I won't be watching, but then I don't remember watching many of the finals for the last few years. The competition has been massively mishandled and devalued - the cup has definitely lost its magic.
the article sums the day up perfectly,its just two teams that the average fan couldnt give a toss about,will probably have the lowest tv audience for years,i definately wont be watching
Wow exciting Chelsea against really exciting everton,definately one to miss me thinks
"Wow exciting Chelsea against really exciting everton,definately one to miss me thinks" Then don't watch it but the "really exciting Everton" managed to overhaul the Big names along the way so they can't be that bad can they!
"Big words" you say Hammersfan, in answer to 08:44? Maybe there's a couple with more than two syllables anyway. It appears that the writer has failed though, to learn the lesson about prepositions and sentence endings. Probably he's from further to the north-east.
Quiet in here isn't it?
LMFAO. Now that is FUNNY
You've summed it up well Hammersfan. Liverpool's 2nd club playing a Russian playboy's 2nd London club. I don't know why 08:44thinks he is clever by being critical of your very good summing up of a prospective match. I'm not even putting the telly on for it. I'll tell you what 08:44. You write an article on West Ham and I bet Hammerfan will publish it as he's published several of mine. Then we'll let you know what we think of your efforts shall we?
Billbanksy
1-0 to Everton after 30 seconds, what do I know? Now I'm watching!
F all
08:44-Having just read your contradictory post I can only presume you also write to the council about the lack of street cleaners in East London.
As for the 1st post from Hammersfan, its 100% correct, I would add that football has lost its true feel for me, too much money involved (sky's fault) too much diving, etc etc, its just different now to the 60's 70's * 80's.
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