FA Cup keeps its sheen
Monday, January 6, 2003
Article summary
Football's oldest competition has shown that its capacity to thrill remains as potent as ever.
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By Simon Hart
Who said romance was dead. The FA Cup, the football world's oldest knockout competition, showed at the weekend that its capacity to thrill remains as potent as ever as it enters its 132nd year.
Shrewsbury fairy story
The traditional third-round entry of the English game's major clubs always carries the promise of a giant-slaying feat and Shrewsbury Town FC, 18th in the third division, duly delivered with a 2-1 victory over Everton FC, fifth in the Premiership and 12-times finalists.
Everton old boy
Spicing Shrewsbury's story was the presence of Kevin Ratcliffe, Everton's FA Cup-winning captain in 1984, as the minnows' manager, who admitted afterwards it was "a strange feeling" beating his former club. Matchwinner Nigel Jemson, meanwhile, once scored the winning goal for Nottingham Forest FC in a League Cup final and, along with fellow veteran Ian Woan, who supplied the cross for his decisive second goal, was in the Forest squad for the 1991 FA Cup final.
Wolves rekindle memories
Shrewsbury's prize is a home tie in the next round against Chelsea FC, and they were not the only ones celebrating. First division Wolverhampton Wanderers FC rekindled memories of past glories by beating Newcastle United FC 3-2 - a result that means eight of the 20 Premiership sides fell at the first hurdle.
Day in the sun
Still involved are holders Arsenal FC and their fourth-round pairing with non-league Farnborough Town FC, weekend victors over Darlington FC, underlines the appeal of a competition whose preliminary rounds begin in August as over 500 amateur teams play off for the right to face the league clubs and live their dream of a day in the sun.
David versus Goliath
Of course, this is not unique. The cups in France and Germany often pit amateurs against pros, David versus Goliath - and with spectacular effect in France on Saturday where champions Olympique Lyonnais were beaten in the first round by FC Libourne Saint-Seurin. Libourne are in the Championnat de France Amateur, the same lowly class as Calais RUFC who went all the way to the final at the Stade de France in 2000 before losing to FC Nantes Atlantique.
Limited appeal in Italy
There are fewer fairy tales elsewhere in Europe, although the German Cup has gained from the decision a decade ago to stage the final each year in Berlin. Spain's King's Cup and the Italian Cup remain midweek affairs - particularly the Italian version which is limited to Serie A and B sides and the best from Serie C, and where the leading eight top-flight teams only enter come the last 16.
A dent or two
Even the FA Cup has taken a dent or two in recent years: Manchester United FC, as holders, did not defend their trophy in 1999/2000 due to their involvement in the FIFA Club World Championship. The same year the third round took place in December rather than its customary slot in the first weekend of January.
New home
Then there was the loss of Wembley as the venue for the final, although Cardiff's Millennium Stadium has proved a popular replacement. Moreover, the increasing prominence of the UEFA Champions League seemed to have diminished the FA Cup's allure for the top clubs. Fortunately, 130-plus years of tradition do count for something. Just ask the people of Shrewsbury.
