FAC. FT: Crystal Palace 1 - 0 Man City

[the other bob wilson]

Why is it kicking off at 4.30 when, as far as I can see, the biggest game in the Uk starting at 3 is Bonnyrigg Rose v East Kilbride?

[William Treseder]

Can’t think of any logical reason. Oh for the good old days when the FA cup final and Scottish cup final both kicked off at 3pm on the same day.
You’d get the highlights of the Scottish game at half time and full time.
Can’t remember there being any other games on that day either.
The whole day started about 9am on terrestrial TV, and was totally dedicated to the 2 teams who’d made the final.
Only the champions of each European country would contest the European cup, and ditto with the Cup winners cup.
I call them “The Halcyon days” of British football.

[bobh]

TV has wrecked the "magic" of the FA Cup

[Crisp White Lines]

TV has wrecked the "magic" of the FA Cup

TV money to be precise. Agreed.

[the other bob wilson]

Can’t think of any logical reason. Oh for the good old days when the FA cup final and Scottish cup final both kicked off at 3pm on the same day.
You’d get the highlights of the Scottish game at half time and full time.
Can’t remember there being any other games on that day either.
The whole day started about 9am on terrestrial TV, and was totally dedicated to the 2 teams who’d made the final.
Only the champions of each European country would contest the European cup, and ditto with the Cup winners cup.
I call them “The Halcyon days” of British football.

While I'm having a moan, why have have the Championship Play Offs become the first one's to be played? What was wrong with the previous system which had the League Two games played first, then League One, then what you'd assume is the climax of the EFL season, the Championship Play Off last?

No doubt the powers that be would have thousands of reasons why this couldn't happen, but why not have a Whitsun weekend consisting of the League Two Play Off Final on the Friday night, FA Cup Final at 3 o clock on the Saturday, League One Final on the Sunday at 3 and Championship Final on Whit Monday at the same time? The Premier League could fini9sh the week before like it used to.

[William Treseder]

While I'm having a moan, why have have the Championship Play Offs become the first one's to be played? What was wrong with the previous system which had the League Two games played first, then League One, then what you'd assume is the climax of the EFL season, the Championship Play Off last?

No doubt the powers that be would have thousands of reasons why this couldn't happen, but why not have a Whitsun weekend consisting of the League Two Play Off Final on the Friday night, FA Cup Final at 3 o clock on the Saturday, League One Final on the Sunday at 3 and Championship Final on Whit Monday at the same time? The Premier League could fini9sh the week before like it used to.

That sounds too sensible.

[The Bloop]

Having a full Premier league programme on the same weekend as the final just seems wrong. Yes, the finalists don't play their PL games till Tuesday, but there just seems no consistency anymore as to when the final is played.

[Wales-Bales]

The appearance of prawn sandwiches at a football match was the first sign that all was not well with the beautiful game.

[the other bob wilson]

Having a full Premier league programme on the same weekend as the final just seems wrong. Yes, the finalists don't play their PL games till Tuesday, but there just seems no consistency anymore as to when the final is played.

But that's the thing I just don't get about the kick off time. There were two Premier league games last night and five tomorrow, plus one on Monday, but there are none today. Therefore, it's as if they've recognised that the FA Cup Final is special and deserves a day of its own and yet they inisit on kicking off at a time which makes no sense at all!

[EastbourneBlue]

Why is it kicking off at 4.30 when, as far as I can see, the biggest game in the Uk starting at 3 is Bonnyrigg Rose v East Kilbride?

The Mirror says the Met Police were concerned about a 3pm kickoff. I don’t know why or how that makes any sense.

Couldn’t be later due to Eurovision Song Contest.

Man City managed to sell out their 34,000 tickets 2 days ago

My wife is a Palace fan and is en route

[Hilts]

But that's the thing I just don't get about the kick off time. There were two Premier league games last night and five tomorrow, plus one on Monday, but there are none today. Therefore, it's as if they've recognised that the FA Cup Final is special and deserves a day of its own and yet they inisit on kicking off at a time which makes no sense at all!

It seems it's a compromise time after a dispute between BBC and ITV.

BBC wanted 3.00 as it wouldn't impact Doctor Who and Eurovision.🤣🤣🤣

ITV wanted later as it maximises TV advertising revenue.

So it's a compromise time.

That's a quick Google by the way as I wasn't even aware the Cup Final was today until yesterday , who was playing and only knew the kick off time reading this thread.

So different from childhood getting up early to watch all the build up and the game.

[The Lone Gunman]

I call them “The Halcyon days” of British football.

What period would you regard as the halcyon days?

[J R Hartley]

For overseas TV

[Trigger]

I'm just surprised there aren't premier league games at the same time.

[Des Parrot]

The appearance of prawn sandwiches at a football match was the first sign that all was not well with the beautiful game.

Cheapest sandwiches (except egg & cress) in the meal deal option! Wouldn't it be great to have Bovril as an option in place of 3 pieces of melon & a grape!

[Des Parrot]

I hope Palace win.

I can’t remember the last FA Cup Final I watched, no clue who won last year. I’m still recovering from Enckleman!

[the other bob wilson]

It seems it's a compromise time after a dispute between BBC and ITV.

BBC wanted 3.00 as it wouldn't impact Doctor Who and Eurovision.🤣🤣🤣

ITV wanted later as it maximises TV advertising revenue.

So it's a compromise time.

That's a quick Google by the way as I wasn't even aware the Cup Final was today until yesterday , who was playing and only knew the kick off time reading this thread.

So different from childhood getting up early to watch all the build up and the game.

So it boils down to it kicking off at 4.30 to help ITV make more money from adverts. How come it was played at 3 o clock for decades when BBC and ITV used to show it simultaneously? Probably because they’d have been told to piss off if they had the nerve to try and change the kick off time - the priorities are all wrong.

[The Lone Gunman]

So it boils down to it kicking off at 4.30 to help ITV make more money from adverts. How come it was played at 3 o clock for decades when BBC and ITV used to show it simultaneously? Probably because they’d have been told to piss off if they had the nerve to try and change the kick off time - the priorities are all wrong.

I have some bad news, Paul. The world has changed. 🤣

[Steve the Tea]

Why is it kicking off at 4.30 when, as far as I can see, the biggest game in the Uk starting at 3 is Bonnyrigg Rose v East Kilbride?

League 2 Semi-Final 2nd Leg early afternoon.

StT.
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[Wales-Bales]

I have some bad news, Paul. The world has changed. 🤣

And not for the better

[Cleve van Leef]

TV has wrecked the "magic" of the FA Cup

Never a truer word.

[The Lone Gunman]

And not for the better

Overall I'd agree, but I watched documentaries this week about the Bradford and Hillsborough disasters. They put things in perspective in terms of the way that football was in the 'halcyon days' of the 1980's compared to how it is now.

[Dorcus]

Unfortunately the FA cup is an anachronism these days. Sad but ..... "it's Football Jim, just not as we know it!"

[The Lone Gunman]

Never a truer word.

TV hasn't wrecked the magic of the FA Cup. The final has always been on TV and it's on TV today. I'm guessing everyone who would have watched it at 3:00pm will also watch it at 4:30pm.

The decline of the FA Cup is down to numerous factors such as the huge number of European games, the Premier League, the increased importance placed on league games at all levels, too much football (both on and off TV) in general, the play-offs system, the lack of FA Cup prize money, etc.

Here's a question for everyone: if you could only watch one, which game would you prefer to watch - the FA Cup final or the Championship play-off final?

[Dorcus]

TV hasn't wrecked the magic of the FA Cup. The final has always been on TV and it's on TV today. I'm guessing everyone who would have watched it at 3:00pm will also watch it at 4:30pm.

The decline of the FA Cup is down to numerous factors such as the huge number of European games, the Premier League, the increased importance placed on league games at all levels, too much football (both on and off TV) in general, the play-offs system, the lack of FA Cup prize money, etc.

Here's a question for everyone: if you could only watch one, which game would you prefer to watch - the FA Cup final or the Championship play-off final?

CPOF for me 👍