FA Cup Finals

[staffslad]

Re: FA Cup Finals

My first F.A. Cup final memory is the 1970 Chelsea vs Leeds United game and replay. Hard matches with no quarter asked nor given.

In the 70s and 80s there would be a gradual build-up of national excitement. Remember that back then the F.A. Cup final was one of a very few live matches shown on TV each season. I remember on the friday night before the final, ITV would screen 'Who'll win the Cup' after News at Ten, when pundits would discuss the forthcoming game. BBC would also have an 'It's a Knockout' special featuring teams from the towns/cities represented in that years final. For some reason Eric Morcombe always seemed to turn up on ITV during the build-up. By kick-off, excitement was at fever pitch. I was glued to the match, but started to get worried around 4.30pm if it was still a draw, because if a team didn't win in normal time, extra-time would be played and the BBC would then often cancel Dr. Who.

[Zincubus]

Re: FA Cup Finals

Don't mention PSG!!!

I was hoping PSG would win last night , I've always loved Ibra

I've supported FC Barcelona since my hero J .Cruyff joined them in 1973 !!!!

[zabadak]

Re: FA Cup Finals

Don't mention PSG!!!

[Zincubus]

Re: FA Cup Finals

[QUOT E=zabadak;199203]How did that work out for ya???

The first final I remember was the 1971 one when the **** did the double. Sadly, as a Chelsea supporter (Not the face! Not the face!), I don't recall the previous year's bloodbath... [/QUOTE]
Funnily enough the 1970 final was the first match that really got my attention ... I was in the last year of primary school and half the school went white and half went blue .... So as Blue was my fave colour I chose Chelsea ..and I've disliked Leeds United ever since .
To this day I have no idea as to why the whole school playground got so involved with two fairly distant teams . We were in Manchester .

[darren]

Re: FA Cup Finals

Yes liverpool v wimbledon was a true david v goliath match.

Arsenal v man u 1979 was pretty good.

All i ever hear now is how teams play weaker teams in the fa cup which saddens me just shows how little it matters now.
Even a lot of pundits and fans dont really care about it now.

Altho not all of us think that way.

true the fa cup has never lost it's magic darren - as much as the pundits try their best to convince us otherwise. At least some of the more modern finals are featuring other teams these day's which has to be good for the game, but when the last time the final was decent it'd be hard to say - perhaps chelsea v middlesbrough in 1997 and/or liverpool v sunderland in 1992 i'd guess! Prior to that the one or 2 stand out finals have to be liverpool v wimbledon in 1988 that was supposed to be a walkover on liverpool's part and the coventry v tottenham final (probably the first one i can really recall) in 1987 that had a similar "talking up" about it that spurs would win easily!

80schav

[DSCOMAN]

Re: FA Cup Finals

That quote about 'Pancho' should have read " if I had a pound for every time 'Pancho combed his hair I'd be rich".....

YES REALLY....Men used to comb their hair back then.......now they just seem to scrunch some gel in and leave it.......messy

[DSCOMAN]

Re: FA Cup Finals

Yes ...the FA CUP FINAL on TV has lost its charm for me too.

It used to have a tremendous build-up, as you said from about 9.30 - teams in hotels, one player talking you through his team - 'funny' jokes ( If I combed my hair as much as 'pancho' I'd be rich)........The pundits, the suits on the pitch, Motty interviewing players, It's a knockout.....cup final songs, ....and it had all started with your copy of Shoot magazine with a Cup Final special.......
I remember Arsenal beating Liverpoo, and going to my sunday league team managers house to watch my first colour Final - Sunderland v Leeds, No One believed the Rokerites would beat the MIGHTY Leeds, .....
The kids today are being sold short....and as you said the timing is RIDICULOUS - Football Kicks off at 3PM !!!
Switching between THE TWO channels so as not to miss a 'best bit'..... Remember Everton's Andy Gray leaning out of hotel window and watching Freddie Starr's comedy in the hotel grounds..always watched the ITV side though, Brian Moore's(RIP) enthusiasm was great....even if he always made a mistake with players identity.

and don't forget the post match interviews - players in towels drinking milk, and then the later MOTD show with the pics of the banquet held for the players....and more 'less coherent' mumblings from our heroes.

The Ladies Final is on at Wembley today (quite right too about time), .......Chelsea winning last time I looked.

[Richard1978]

Re: FA Cup Finals

True the FA Cup has never lost it's magic Darren - as much as the Pundits try their best to convince us otherwise. At least some of the more modern finals are featuring other teams these day's which has to be good for the game, but when the last time the final was decent it'd be hard to say - perhaps Chelsea v Middlesbrough in 1997 and/or Liverpool v Sunderland in 1992 I'd guess! Prior to that the one or 2 stand out finals have to be Liverpool v Wimbledon in 1988 that was supposed to be a walkover on Liverpool's part and the Coventry v Tottenham final (probably the first one I can really recall) in 1987 that had a similar "talking up" about it that Spurs would win easily!

80sChav

That's the problem that too many people just blindly follow what the papers say without thinking for themselves.

Even if the finals can be hit & miss, every season normally produces a memorable match or 2, normally a giant killing and/or an underdog club getting much further through the rounds than they were expected, claiming a scalp or 2 on the way.

[80sChav]

Re: FA Cup Finals

Ive not watched an f a cup final since the tradition went.

The 3pm kick off.

The build up from around 10 or 11 on the morning etc.
Seeing the coaches leaving the hotels etc.

FOR ME ITS STILL AS BIG AS IT EVER WAS.

True the FA Cup has never lost it's magic Darren - as much as the Pundits try their best to convince us otherwise. At least some of the more modern finals are featuring other teams these day's which has to be good for the game, but when the last time the final was decent it'd be hard to say - perhaps Chelsea v Middlesbrough in 1997 and/or Liverpool v Sunderland in 1992 I'd guess! Prior to that the one or 2 stand out finals have to be Liverpool v Wimbledon in 1988 that was supposed to be a walkover on Liverpool's part and the Coventry v Tottenham final (probably the first one I can really recall) in 1987 that had a similar "talking up" about it that Spurs would win easily!

80sChav

[zabadak]

Re: FA Cup Finals

Sherwood is your best signing!

[Jay Mc]

Re: FA Cup Finals

How did that work out for ya???

The first final I remember was the 1971 one when the **** did the double. Sadly, as a Chelsea supporter (Not the face! Not the face!), I don't recall the previous year's bloodbath...

It was painful to watch ..... it is not a nice place to be when you lose ... have to say the arsenal fans were rubbish didnt hear a peep from them until the 3rd went in even then we were still noisier than them

I know why they called Highbury the library now

Always next year ...............

[Elbmek]

Re: FA Cup Finals

yes, remember all that, especially when its your team thats there.

[darren]

Re: FA Cup Finals

Ive not watched an f a cup final since the tradition went.

The 3pm kick off.

The build up from around 10 or 11 on the morning etc.
Seeing the coaches leaving the hotels etc.

FOR ME ITS STILL AS BIG AS IT EVER WAS.

[Elbmek]

Re: FA Cup Finals

Cant remember last cup final I watched. I abandoned all connections with football when a no mark, relegation fodder team called Man City, got a new owner bought two full teams in Tesco (By one get one free) and bought the league title. Thats it I said, its no longer a sport. Since then watched nothing, at all. I am still a fan of my own team, always was, always will be but do not watch anything now.

[zabadak]

Re: FA Cup Finals

How did that work out for ya???

The first final I remember was the 1971 one when the **** did the double. Sadly, as a Chelsea supporter (Not the face! Not the face!), I don't recall the previous year's bloodbath...