Saturday 6 June 2009

FINAL CALL FOR THE FA CUP?

Last night a friend of mine brought up the small matter of whether the FA Cup is as important now as it was, let's say 10 years ago. 

A well documented subject but one none the less I feel needs to be discussed. I think it remains a landmark tournament and a trophy that every team would love to win. 

However, it is now a fourth rate competition and if you consider side such as Manchester United can now win the Premier League, Champions League and League Cup all in one season, the FA Cup is no longer there only other chance at success. 

In addition,  sides like Arsenal, Aston Villa would rather qualify for the Champions League for financial reasons than have one day in the sun in North London.  Not to mention sides in the Championship would rather get promoted and already have a huge fixture list, so the better ones don't really need the cash a cup run would bring and sides from the bottom half would rather avoid relegation.

This is not to say teams don't want to win the Cup, just incentives aren't there, the competition needs a cash injection. Sides need think of getting to the latter stages of the competition because it makes financial sense to attempt it rather than for prestige or a small cash injection.

The amounts need to be big enough that sides would rather gamble on the FA Cup rather than an outside chance of getting in the playoffs. 

But as a spectacle, having been to a couple of finals now, and having watched Chelsea and Everton fans enjoying themselves so much during there day out last weekend. I know the anyone who says the FA Cup is dead, unimportant or worthless are just bitter they missed out on the showpiece final.