FA Cup 25-26

[arbitro]

This weekend is the FA Cup second round proper and the Premier League and Championship clubs are entering in the next round. Despite the almost downgrading of the competition by the FA and clubs for me the third round is a special date in the football calendar. I guess it's an age thing as many of a certain generation will recall the excitement and magic of the cup. 

I have vivid memories of crowding around a transistor radio at school on Monday lunchtime after the previous rounds games had been played. Replays were always the week after the original game and replays would go on until there was in a winner in a proper game. And clubs would play a full strength team.

The draw takes place on Monday evening around 6.45 but the bad news it's on TNT, Discover+, ESPN, something called FUBO and YouTube which pretty much precludes a lot from watching it.

Personally I would like to get an away match at a lower league ground I haven't been to but failing that any home draw.

[MarkBRFC]

I still like the FA Cup but its a dead competition these days.

No replays, games kicking off at anytime between a Thursday evening and Monday evening, empty grounds, sides playing reserve teams even if they sit comfortable mid table in the prem.

My guess is we'll get West Brom at home.

[ABRAM ROVER]

Standard defeat at Wigan away (if they beat Barrow)

[GHR]

Way back when I would stop and see my grandad on the way home from school as he wrote the draw down as it happened (live from Soho of course!) and he would give me the list to mull over as I walked back. Wonderful memories.

I remember posting on here a few days before our fateful QF at Bramall Lane a couple of years ago that I was literally bouncing around with excitement. It may be old and weary these days but my god when it sparkles it is utter magic.

[chaddyrovers]

All FA cup games that are set to be televisied should be free to watch on BBC or ITV. Maybe the FA should have its own TV channel

 

Edited 32 minutes ago by chaddyrovers

[RevidgeBlue]

22 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

All FA cup games to be televisied should be free to watch on BBC or ITV. Maybe the FA should have its own TV channel

 

As we've seen with the red button for mid week games that would surely be the death knell for the competition.

Agree with the nostalgic comments above - when I was a kid and there was no live football on TV apart from the Home internationals, England qualifiers and the FA Cup Final - Final day and the build up was the highlight of the year.

These days a lot of it is a bit dull. The broadcasters dont help themselves when they choose to show an all Premiership tie - it's still all about the David v Goliath ties and hoping the minnow can pull off a massive upset.

There was a fantastic match involving Spurs and a very small non League outfit last season and when you get something like that it's still the best competition in the world by far.

[chaddyrovers]

1 minute ago, RevidgeBlue said:

As we've seen with the red button for mid week games that would surely be the death knell for the competition.

Agree with the nostalgic comments above - when I was a kid and there was no live football on TV apart from the Home internationals, England qualifiers and the FA Cup Final - Final day and the build up was the highlight of the year.

These days a lot of it is a bit dull. The broadcasters dont help themselves when they choose to show an all Premiership tie - it's still all about the David v Goliath ties and hoping the minnow can pull off a massive upset.

There was a fantastic match involving Spurs and a very small non League outfit last season and when you get something like that it's still the best competition in the world by far.

Sorry Rev, I didnt mean every game but just 4 to 6 games that are set to televised should be free to watch

[Gav]

Those games against Villa late 70’s, Coventry early 80’, Live on BBC 84/85 against Southampton and Man Utd will all go down as some of the best memories of FA Cup for me.

I still love the competition, even though it’s been decimated by the bigger clubs and FA!

Edited 16 minutes ago by Gav

[RevidgeBlue]

Just now, Gav said:

Those games against Villa late 70’s, Coventry early 80’, Live on BBC 84/85 against Southampton and Man Utd will all go down as some of the best memories of FA Cup for me.

I still love the competition, even though it’s been decimated by the bigger clubs and FA.

Hereford v Newcastle 1972, Ronnie Radford has to be the seminal FA Cup moment?

The other moment I remember is Jim Montgomery's unbelievable save for Sunderand against Leeds in the '73 final.