FAC. FT: Crystal Palace 1 - 0 Man City

[J R Hartley]

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?

FAC all day long.

Couldn’t care less which one of Sunderland and Sheff U are going to be next years PL whipping boys.

[NinianKnight]

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.

[NinianKnight]

What period would you regard as the halcyon days?

If you are talking the top division then for me personally it was 70's and 80's.

[PontBlue]

It should be the final domestic game of the season for the top flight

[Hilts]

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?

The play off final.

[William Treseder]

What period would you regard as the halcyon days?

As above. When the FA cup was a special day for all football fans, not just the fans of the finalists. When the European cup or “Champions” league as it’s comically called now was contested by the previous seasons “Champions” and it was straight knock out, not giving teams who’ve maybe finished 4th in their league, the opportunity to lose a few games on the way to the final.
When the Cup winners of all European countries contested the Cup winners cup, with straight knock out again.
When teams who finished 2nd, 3rd and 5th got a chance to pit their wits and skills against other European teams , again in straight knockout.
Disaster’s like Hillsborough and Bradford as you have mentioned, were part of the evolution of football. Old run down wooden stadiums, rife hooliganism that prompted fences to be put up. ( The biggest contributor to the 96 deaths)
We have moved on in the safety aspect, and the Fuzz, CCTV and technology have scuppered the knuckle dragging wannabe hard men, but the format of modern day football is shite, unless your a couch potato with a remote control.

[Undercoverinwurzelland]

It should be the final domestic game of the season for the top flight

I agree. Always used to be didn't it. I remember that final league match when Arsenal won at Anfield to pip Liverpool to the title was played after the FA Cup final, but only because the match had been postponed due to Hillsborough.

[Grangenders]

17 years ago today we were there.

FA Cup over the play offs all day long for me. I was more gutted about losing to Portsmouth then Blackpool. We eventually made it to the Premier League, but we’ll never win the FA Cup again.

[insider]

Do they still drink bottles of milk in post match interviews?

[the other bob wilson]

As above. When the FA cup was a special day for all football fans, not just the fans of the finalists. When the European cup or “Champions” league as it’s comically called now was contested by the previous seasons “Champions” and it was straight knock out, not giving teams who’ve maybe finished 4th in their league, the opportunity to lose a few games on the way to the final.
When the Cup winners of all European countries contested the Cup winners cup, with straight knock out again.
When teams who finished 2nd, 3rd and 5th got a chance to pit their wits and skills against other European teams , again in straight knockout.
Disaster’s like Hillsborough and Bradford as you have mentioned, were part of the evolution of football. Old run down wooden stadiums, rife hooliganism that prompted fences to be put up. ( The biggest contributor to the 96 deaths)
We have moved on in the safety aspect, and the Fuzz, CCTV and technology have scuppered the knuckle dragging wannabe hard men, but the format of modern day football is shite, unless your a couch potato with a remote control.

I was listening to Radio 5 Sports a few minutes ago and they were interviewing Sussex’s CEO. I may be looking through rose tinted lens somewhat, but I don’t remember there being anywhere near as much chat about money in the 70s. CEOs of football clubs may have existed fifty years ago, but they were insignificant figures as far as being a media presence was concerned and I wish they still were.

[Hilts]

17 years ago today we were there.

FA Cup over the play offs all day long for me. I was more gutted about losing to Portsmouth then Blackpool. We eventually made it to the Premier League, but we’ll never win the FA Cup again.

I think some point in the future both are entirely likely.

Swansea and Wigan have won cups. If we have a team capable of PL football then we can definitely win a cup.

Not the foreseeable future probably though for either.

[The Lone Gunman]

We have moved on in the safety aspect, and the Fuzz, CCTV and technology have scuppered the knuckle dragging wannabe hard men, but the format of modern day football is shite, unless your a couch potato with a remote control.

Ah yes, the Seventies and Eighties, when music was better, TV was better, films were better, football was better and, most importantly, we were much younger, fitter and healthier. The halcyon days.

The thing those of us who look back so fondly on that period have to accept is that football in the UK is far more popular now than it was back then, and I'm not talking simply about TV audiences. I'm talking about the fact that attendances right across the leagues are significantly bigger now than they were during the 'halycon days' of the Seventies and Eighties, so the current format obviously doesn't only appeal to couch potatoes with remote controls.

[Des Parrot]

I’ve just found out it’s today!

[William Treseder]

Ah yes, the Seventies and Eighties, when music was better, TV was better, films were better, football was better and, most importantly, we were much younger, fitter and healthier. The halcyon days.

The thing those of us who look back so fondly on that period have to accept is that football in the UK is far more popular now than it was back then, and I'm not talking simply about TV audiences. I'm talking about the fact that attendances right across the leagues are significantly bigger now than they were during the 'halycon days' of the Seventies and Eighties, so the current format obviously doesn't only appeal to couch potatoes with remote controls.

Have you got out of the wrong side of the bed again? Why do you dissect posts to make some meaningless points?
We all know how football is going now. It’s the formats and make up of some of the competitions I don’t like, which is my opinion and I’m entitled to it.
I’m not stuck in the dark ages. In fact I embrace change and progress when I feel it’s right.
You seem to think you’re some kind sage on here, and woe betide anyone with a different view on things than you.

[The Lone Gunman]

Have you got out of the wrong side of the bed again? Why do you dissect posts to make some meaningless points?
We all know how football is going now. It’s the formats and make up of some of the competitions I don’t like, which is my opinion and I’m entitled to it.
I’m not stuck in the dark ages. In fact I embrace change and progress when I feel it’s right.
You seem to think you’re some kind sage on here, and woe betide anyone with a different view on things than you.

Honestly, this message board. It's hopeless.

[the other bob wilson]

Funny game football as someone once said. Palace being penned back continuously for a quarter of an hour and lucky not to concede at least twice, break out and take the lead.

[the other bob wilson]

Henderson saves Marmoush’s penalty.

[Rjk]

great penalty save

[Parti Mellow]

What would we do without VAR?

[PontBlue]

Henderson should have been sent off

[Hilts]

Maybe Pep and Man City have had their best days and both need a change.

[William Treseder]

Maybe Pep and Man City have had their best days and both need a change.

I wouldn’t say that till the games over 😂

[Undercoverinwurzelland]

15 minutes to find an equaliser - Pep brings on a 19 year old for his debut!

[Parti Mellow]

Is it time to ban spitting in football?

[The Bloop]

If it stays 1-0, the motm will be a guy who shouldn't even be on the pitch.
Peps interview should be fun.