I am getting old

[Barmby Rover]

When I was a kid on cup final day TV coverage used to start about 10.00am with interviews with players etc as a build up, then when it got close to kick off the streets were completely empty as we all sat around our TVs to watch what was the pinnacle of the football season. I haven't watched a cup final now for about 10 years and I can't be arsed to watch to cheat teams (financially and in their play) "battle it out" just for a chance to qualify for much more money in Europe. The players and management don't give a damn about it until the quarterfinals and insult the rest of the football clubs in this country by only putting out reserve sides, like they are forced friendly games. They can keep it.

[IDM]

I might watch the game today, seen as it is probably going to be raining in the afternoon and gardening will be out of the question.

I agree there is much less of a razzmatazz about the day, hours and hours of build up, special question of sport etc, tv cameras in helicopters following the team coaches to the stadium etc..

It’s not the same..

[GazLaz]

The coverage does start at 9am on TNT Sports. They are seemingly trying to create that build up.

[Bentley Bullet]

I only realised it was FA Cup Final day after reading this week about it clashing with the protests happening in London this Saturday.

..... Then I googled which teams were playing!

[Barmby Rover]

That's the right attitude BB! I am only interested in which ever division Rovers are in, the other proper team divisions get a passing interest and definitely no cheats league at the top for me.

[craigdrfc]

When I was a kid on cup final day TV coverage used to start about 10.00am with interviews with players etc as a build up, then when it got close to kick off the streets were completely empty as we all sat around our TVs to watch what was the pinnacle of the football season. I haven't watched a cup final now for about 10 years and I can't be arsed to watch to cheat teams (financially and in their play) "battle it out" just for a chance to qualify for much more money in Europe. The players and management don't give a damn about it until the quarterfinals and insult the rest of the football clubs in this country by only putting out reserve sides, like they are forced friendly games. They can keep it.

I was saying something similar to a work colleague just yesterday. I was somehow completely unaware the Final was this weekend, and once I realised just on the chance of checking through the weekend’s fixtures on an app I started to recall what Cup Final day used to be like as a kid with the full day of TV coverage starting at the team hotels and the ‘road to Wembley’ montages etc.

[LincsRover]

Is it FA cup final day then? I hadn’t realised! 

[Bentley Bullet]

I always used to say, tongue in cheek, that I'd only go to Wembley if Rovers were playing. Back then, the only chance of that would be Rovers reaching the FA cup final! At least I kept my side of the bargain and actually only went to Wembley when Rovers were playing.

And what a day that was!

On the downside, having the play-offs and the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley has made the venue feel less special. As a result, it is no longer the Mecca it was, and the achievement of reaching Wembley has become somewhat diluted.

[selby]

  If you were a Met copper where would you rather be. Wembley or the Marches? the railway stations could be interesting.

[Smyth]

There's always Football Focus to rely on, Alex Scott speaking of her deep knowledge of cup finals and introducing some clip about a "trans" group being special guests of the FA

[Rupee92ONLY]

I’d rather just not be a copper.

It’s right that nobody cares anymore about the FA Cup. This thread reminded me games on. I find both teams boring so I won’t be watching. Football is a bit dead in this country.

[IDM]

This is in danger of getting political from the usual suspects.

Keep it to footy please.

[drfchound]

Cup Final day was also a big event for me until a few years ago.
I had also forgotten it was today until I saw the news this morning.
I will be doing a nice cliff top walk around Flamborough today.

[Nudga]

I don't even know who's got to the final.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

I always used to say, tongue in cheek, that I'd only go to Wembley if Rovers were playing. Back then, the only chance of that would be Rovers reaching the FA cup final! At least I kept my side of the bargain and actually only went to Wembley when Rovers were playing.

And what a day that was!

On the downside, having the play-offs and the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley has made the venue feel less special. As a result, it is no longer the Mecca it was, and the achievement of reaching Wembley has become somewhat diluted.

Spot on. Wembley is no longer special. How many clubs each season have their 'Cup Finals' in their divisional play offs? And those play offs haven't even reached their conclusion yet.

We all femember The Cup Final being the final showpiece event of each season after everything else was settled.

I wonder, if fans across the country would prefer the play offs and Cup semi's being played at other venues on a more regional basis ?

[IDM]

Semi finals should not be at Wembley.  Play off and cup finals should, IMHO.

[TilehurstViking]

Im watching Stenhousemuir v Alloa in the Play off 2nd leg on BBC Alba. C'mon the Warriors.

[Scooter]

As a kid the week leading up to the cup final was exciting and that’s all we talked about.

Now, at 48 I might watch the cup final depending on what I’m doing. I have however spent the last few days talking to people about the Eurovision Song Contest which I’ll definitely be watching

[idler]

Back in the day it was one of the few occasions when you could actually watch a live game on tv and was the last game of the season. A chance to see players that you would rarely see live against lower league clubs. Now you can watch top players live seven days a week plus highlights and goals on social media.
I think that this has taken away the magic of seeing a really special match. It is just another fixture in a very crowded season with a World Cup not far away as well.

[andy didcott]

Didn’t even know facup was on, Celtic v hearts in 15 minutes, title decider, surely better game, lot better atmosphere.

[Scooter]

The only time I watch Scottish football is when it’s England v Scotland, however I’m making an exception today. I’m cheering Hearts on

[glosterred]

Good to see they’ve reverted to the correct time of 3 o’clock for the kick off

[graingrover]

We used to draw the curtains to watch the black and white tv and the famous Bolton v Blackpool Stanley Matthews final in the fifties was unforgettable.I do not ever watch Premiership football unless it comes up as a glory spot on the BBC News for a few minutes.

[Donnywolf]

I might watch the game today, seen as it is probably going to be raining in the afternoon and gardening will be out of the question.

I agree there is much less of a razzmatazz about the day, hours and hours of build up, special question of sport etc, tv cameras in helicopters following the team coaches to the stadium etc..

It’s not the same..

At least its in colour these days LOL

[scawsby steve]

When I was a kid on cup final day TV coverage used to start about 10.00am with interviews with players etc as a build up, then when it got close to kick off the streets were completely empty as we all sat around our TVs to watch what was the pinnacle of the football season. I haven't watched a cup final now for about 10 years and I can't be arsed to watch to cheat teams (financially and in their play) "battle it out" just for a chance to qualify for much more money in Europe. The players and management don't give a damn about it until the quarterfinals and insult the rest of the football clubs in this country by only putting out reserve sides, like they are forced friendly games. They can keep it.

Post of the year on here.

[Pancho Regan]

Cup Final day was also a big event for me until a few years ago.
I had also forgotten it was today until I saw the news this morning.
I will be doing a nice cliff top walk around Flamborough today.

I’m in Bridlington hound, and enjoyed a wonderful day at the Kite Festival at Sewerby.

Much better than watching the Cup Final.

[Draytonian III]

I was playing cricket today, opened the batting ( well I am the captain ) but had to retire injured, I took a full bunger on thumb and nearly ripped the nail off . It wasn’t until I was getting some first aid on it in bar that I noticed the cup final was on , no interest in it

[drfchound]

Cup Final day was also a big event for me until a few years ago.
I had also forgotten it was today until I saw the news this morning.
I will be doing a nice cliff top walk around Flamborough today.

I’m in Bridlington hound, and enjoyed a wonderful day at the Kite Festival at Sewerby.

Much better than watching the Cup Final.

We saw them setting up for the festival on Friday.
Some exceptional ones up there.
We got a good view of them from Flamborough South Landing this morning.

[ForsolongaRover]

The biggest stories and “magic” (as the media would have it) comes when some non-league team beats a club whose first team play in the Premier League. No one mentions that the side which turns out has little resemblance to their best 11, yet the media make just as much of it as if Colchester has beaten Leeds or Hereford Newcastle in days gone by.

The entire process of elimination for PL and even some championship clubs,  is a sideshow as is evidenced by Port Vale’s progress this year.

It is an exhibition of the relative (lack of) power of the so-called “governing body” whose Cup it is, vis-a-vis the PL.