Monday, January 28, 2008
FA Cup 2008
Much is being made of the fact that with 16 clubs going into the bag today for the next round just six are from the Permiership. But when four of them are Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United don't expect to see any fresh name on the trophy. Those four have hogged it since 1995, expect them to do so for another year.
Which, unless Arsenal win it, is a shame.
It would be refreshing to see other teams have a credible chance of winning something once in a while rather than the procession we have now.
There's some great old names in the draw today. Names like Huddersfield Town. It might be a grim northern shitpit but they have had their moments in the spotlight, notably back in the 1920's when they were Champions three times, runners up twice as well as winning the FA Cup once and runners up three times.
I loved their old Leeds Road stadium with a large terrace down one side and the Yorkshire moors rising gently behind the away fans. This year is their centenary, they are due to play Arsenal in a game marking the event, and it would be great to see them go on a cup run.
Another grand old name in the cup draw is Wolverhampton Wanderers. Four times winners, four times runners up the Wolves have done nothing in the FA Cup since decimalisation and colour TV
There is also some romance left with Middlesbrough and Bristol Rovers who have never won the cup. Bristol Rovers are a traditional club, still wearing blue and white quartered shirts and living in the shadow of, um, everything I guess. For an old git like me they are famous for a strike partnership of Alan Warboys and Bruce Bannister back in the early 70's when they won the Watney Cup!
Oh to have Chelsea drawn against Liverpool and Arsenal play Manchester United with the winners meeting in the quarter finals but it won't happen. Not now, not these days.
Which, unless Arsenal win it, is a shame.
It would be refreshing to see other teams have a credible chance of winning something once in a while rather than the procession we have now.
There's some great old names in the draw today. Names like Huddersfield Town. It might be a grim northern shitpit but they have had their moments in the spotlight, notably back in the 1920's when they were Champions three times, runners up twice as well as winning the FA Cup once and runners up three times.
I loved their old Leeds Road stadium with a large terrace down one side and the Yorkshire moors rising gently behind the away fans. This year is their centenary, they are due to play Arsenal in a game marking the event, and it would be great to see them go on a cup run.
Another grand old name in the cup draw is Wolverhampton Wanderers. Four times winners, four times runners up the Wolves have done nothing in the FA Cup since decimalisation and colour TV
There is also some romance left with Middlesbrough and Bristol Rovers who have never won the cup. Bristol Rovers are a traditional club, still wearing blue and white quartered shirts and living in the shadow of, um, everything I guess. For an old git like me they are famous for a strike partnership of Alan Warboys and Bruce Bannister back in the early 70's when they won the Watney Cup!
Oh to have Chelsea drawn against Liverpool and Arsenal play Manchester United with the winners meeting in the quarter finals but it won't happen. Not now, not these days.
Labels: FA Cup Romance Huddersfield Town Wolverhampton Wanderers Bristol Rovers
# posted by Me @ 8:41 AM 
