Much debate has been had about the FA Cup, its planned reform and ultimately whether the competition has lost its magic. I believe it has in every degree as like most things in football these days it was sold to the highest bidder.
I was invited in January to the ESPN launch of the ‘Cup of Dreams’ – a fan poll to determine the greatest FA Cup XI of all time. At the event were various ex players and managers who have all tasted some degree of success in the competition and they were all asked their opinion as to whether the FA Cup had lost something special compared to yesteryear. Unsurprisingly they all claimed it hadn’t, but I couldn’t help but feel that one or two felt otherwise despite their claims. I don’t think there is a person in football that honestly believes that the magic of the cup still remains, and in my opinion it is all down to the array of broadcasters, like those present at this particular launch.
The FA Cup use to be magical as it always use to be a Saturday game at 3pm. There use to be perhaps one game televised on the Sunday, therefore the crowds were always high as the dream of a giant killing scalp, or a trip to Wembley remained the hope of many. Sadly the TV broadcasters have ruined this sacred tournament by ensuring they get as many games covered for their TV audiences. This means that the FA Cup fixtures are played at ridiculous times and across three different days in order to coincide with TV schedules. I remember Newcastle having to play Plymouth once on a Sunday night, which meant that many Toon supporters were unable to attend the match due to the fact that no trains were running after 8pm that particular evening. It is absolutely scandalous and shows how the competition has allowed itself to be sold out.
I know the damage has been done and in many ways you have to point the finger firmly in Sky’s direction for the way they destroyed fixture scheduling over the years, with the Premier League. Football supporters have become accustomed to the dearth of a 3pm kick-off and have had to get use to the 12.45pm, 1.30pm, 2pm, 4pm, 4.10pm and 5.30pm times just to accommodate the TV companies. It is a shame that football’s oldest competition has succumbed to the same way and ultimately destroyed the romance and magic of this one great tournament.