davieG Posted 30 May 2009 Posted 30 May 2009 Source - I feel pretty much the same - how about you! 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?
Asha Posted 30 May 2009 Posted 30 May 2009 I do care, but not as much as I used to when I was a bit younger. FA Cup Final day was the day I looked forward to most on the football calender and that I always dreamed of winning as a very young kid. A bit like Christmas, it's lost it's magic as I've got older.
StanSP Posted 30 May 2009 Posted 30 May 2009 I care, but not as much as I used to. If City got through to the latter stages , I'd obviously be much more excited. But it doesn't appeal to me as much as it did when I was younger. It seems to a lost a bit of it's magic that it claims to have.
Vacamion Posted 30 May 2009 Posted 30 May 2009 The reason the FA cup used to mean more was that it was the only game of the year that was live on telly. It's just yet another game out of loads and loads.
C-man Posted 30 May 2009 Posted 30 May 2009 This'll be the first FA Cup final I've watched live in about 6 or 7 years because of playing cricket. I hope I'm not disappointed because I've been looking forward to this for weeks, more than the Champions League Final.
Asha Posted 30 May 2009 Posted 30 May 2009 The best FA Cup Final memory was Liverpool v Arsenal. I was nine/ten and watched the whole build up, everything. This was where Owen scored two late goals and I decided I wanted to be like him :laugh: Didn't work out, somehow.
StanSP Posted 30 May 2009 Posted 30 May 2009 This'll be the first FA Cup final I've watched live in about 6 or 7 years because of playing cricket. I hope I'm not disappointed because I've been looking forward to this for weeks, more than the Champions League Final. You'll probably be disappointed then. My fave final in recent years has got to be the Liverpool vs West Ham. It's the one that stands out anyway. Konchesky flukily scoring and Gerrard's 30 yarder in the last few seconds of the game to go into extra time.
lildave3 Posted 30 May 2009 Posted 30 May 2009 The best FA Cup Final memory was Liverpool v Arsenal. I was nine/ten and watched the whole build up, everything.This was where Owen scored two late goals and I decided I wanted to be like him :laugh: Didn't work out, somehow. Mine was Roberto Di Matteo against Boro. Instantly fell in love.
StanSP Posted 30 May 2009 Posted 30 May 2009 Mine was Roberto Di Matteo against Boro. Instantly fell in love. Quality goal that. I don't know if it's just me being weird or not, but the fact that it hit the bar and then went in made it more spectacular . And only after 42 seconds - quickest goal in the history of FA Cup finals.
billyfox1 Posted 30 May 2009 Posted 30 May 2009 Not too bothered really but the Chelski fan at work will have to buy everyone a sausage roll if they win so I think I'll cheer them on
Joe. Posted 30 May 2009 Posted 30 May 2009 It 'aint what it used to be for me. I'll still look forward to it, but today isn't filling me with excitement to say the least.
Webbo Posted 30 May 2009 Posted 30 May 2009 The reason the FA cup used to mean more was that it was the only game of the year that was live on telly.It's just yet another game out of loads and loads. That sums up my feelings too.
Granno Posted 30 May 2009 Posted 30 May 2009 I'm quite excited about it. Football and a few beers on a beautiful Saturday afternoon.
Tommeh Posted 30 May 2009 Posted 30 May 2009 Got a footie tournament with the youngsters so i'll be missing it, would have been good down the pub with a few lads but to be honest I can't bear to watch any tv football these days. Love the memories of Liverpool - WH and Arsenal from what '06 and '01 and Arsenal - Chels when Parlour and Ljunberg scored. sensational games. All at the the Millenium stadium also hmmmm......I can't think of too many dull games there, then compare it to New Wembley!
RowlattsFox Posted 30 May 2009 Posted 30 May 2009 I'm not bothered about it this year, I usually am. Probably because I know I'll be at work and won't be watching it.
Guest Posted 30 May 2009 Posted 30 May 2009 I don't give a toss about the FA Cup, it's not like anyone in the Premiership really gives a stuff about it. The best FA Cup Final memory was Liverpool v Arsenal. I was nine/ten and watched the whole build up, everything.This was where Owen scored two late goals and I decided I wanted to be like him :laugh: Didn't work out, somehow. It's ok, you're nearly as tall as him now!!
Basingstoke Fox Posted 30 May 2009 Posted 30 May 2009 I look forward to seeing Leicester in it and seeing who they get but I'm not particularly bothered about today even though I am going to a pub to watch it with a few mates. I think part of the reason that I dont care is that it is covered by channels like Sky Sports and ITV and a good chunk of the seats in the final are taken by those corporate cunts.
Corky Posted 30 May 2009 Posted 30 May 2009 I used to really love the Fa Cup, always dreamed of going to Wembley or Cardiff with Leicester, every round match was hit-or-miss, one mistake and you are out. Nowadays, it has gone, the magic has disappeared, and it's a crying shame.
Big Ol' Bob Posted 30 May 2009 Posted 30 May 2009 I won't bother watching today. Chelsea the ****iest team in England vs Everton , the peoples club, yeah is it fook. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
maddog Posted 30 May 2009 Posted 30 May 2009 No, i might watch it. Used to love the Fa Cup can remember watching it years back when Liverpool won and Owen scored. Can also remember Villa in the cup final years back and watching it. And Di Matteos 10 second goal or whatever it was. Now though, by playing the semi-finals at Wembley which is a total joke, i honestly don't care and will probably be flicking between the football and the tennis. I think new Wembley has and will ruin the fa cup forever, the ticket allocations are also a fooking joke. 20000 each for the fans, 50000 for the bankers and coorperate ****s.
C-man Posted 30 May 2009 Posted 30 May 2009 Bet you wouldn't be saying all that if we got to the final.
lildave3 Posted 30 May 2009 Posted 30 May 2009 Looks like i'm one of 3 people actually looking forward to it
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.