I don’t mean to sound like an old codger but it’s really gone hasn’t it? Not sure where we lost it. Sometime after the Premier League started but it just doesn’t have the zing anymore. Of course I’d like us to win today but I’d be meh if we didn’t. But I remember in the not too distant 3rd round day being one of the most anticipated Saturdays of the season and usually pretty well attended. Anyway I’m off to shout at a cloud.
I disagree. It's still there, at least in the early rounds. And City could have fielded a much weaker side last night and still won comfortably.
Not in the early rounds like today nothing to get excited about later on its quite decent i remeber i think 1999 playing bristol rovers at oakwell winning 4-1 and the atmosphere was really good think that was a early round too.
First time since I’ve been watching (just short of 40 years)I’ve not gone to an FA Cup home game I could get to. I’ve actually chosen to not go, with no real alternative thing to do, combination of all the things being discussed on this board. Im surprised I’ve not buckled and gone, which is what I used to do for the zenith data systems cup and similar type games on a Tuesday nights, tell myself all week I’m not bothering but then feel guilty at teatime and go…….but no feelings like that today.
IMHO the last great cup finals were during the 80s when it was an all-day event. For whatever reason, it started to lose its sheen in the 90s but I’m not sure if the Premier League caused it at that point. Was it the money/places on offer for European competitions?
I don't know whether its an age thing or not, but you're right. Man Utd pulling out back in 1999/00(?) was the big step change and I think was followed by the elite clubs fielding weaker teams. Money has killed it, with those teams battling for survival in the PL now fielding weaker teams too, as finishing 4th bottom is more glorious than winning a Cup apparently. I also think, personally, I'm continuing to fall out of love with football generally. Whilst I'd feel better if our own club was in a better state, I care very little for anything about football anymore. My Dad walked out of Oakwell one Saturday in the early 90's, tired of the sterile football Machin's teams were playing, and never returned. At the time, I could never get my head around why and how he could do it, he'd watched BFC since the late 1940s, taken me from around 1980. I now feel I could do the same and it's a pretty sad feeling.
The magic has gone and it’s been gone for quite some time. I feel sorry for the younger fans who have never experienced the true magic of the cup, and specifically the magic of cup final day, which was an extra special all day event. Sadly, gone for ever. RIP FA cup.
Speaking of the magic of the cup,,, was anybody present in the old football club for the big screen showing of the 1988 final?
