(estimated 4 minute read time)
The FA Cup is back this weekend for the Third Round and the world’s oldest, and what many football fans regard as the greatest club tournament on the planet delivers a sense of occasion and a chance to see those David v Goliath moments like no other.
Famous old teams like Accrington Stanley, Preston North End and Chesterfield might get the chance to take on a Premier League big boy like Manchester United, Liverpool or Arsenal and victory on such a prestigious occasion could deliver both passage into football folklore and a financial boost that many of these smaller yet historic clubs now need more than ever before.
It’s not just the opportunity for fans to witness one of these now infamous “giant-killings”, where part time amateurs can take the field, and win against international superstars, FA Cup Third Round weekend has, since inception in 1871-72, become so much more for supporters around the world.
One phrase that has become synonymous with this renowned first weekend in January is “the magic of the FA Cup.” We hear it used almost ad-nauseum on radio and TV, peppered throughout commentaries of games and the articles we read online and, in the papers, so what do we really mean when we speak of this magic and what makes the FA Cup so special?
There is something quintessentially nostalgic about the FA Cup Third Round. Always played across the first weekend of the New Year, the misty, damp January days and memories of playing surfaces that looked more like a bog than the putting green perfection of today are for many supporters, a chance to reminisce about past glories, their favourite childhood players, and great goals they may have witnessed.
Back in the day, everything stopped for The FA Cup – it might be the only club game you could watch if you were lucky enough to own or access a TV and this only added to the lustre of the event. Grainy, black, and white images of memorable matches, all delivering the jeopardy that league football simply couldn’t.
Tournament football is do or die football and at the time there was also no UEFA Champions League to contend for. Merely the champions of the old English First Division would qualify for the European Cup and this factor only added to the allure of The FA Cup.
Outside of the hectic Christmas football schedule, FA Cup Third Round weekend is also one of the most traditional anywhere in the world and fans across the country flock to games to hopefully watch a famous success for their side.
Don’t forget the exuberant pitch invasions when a non-league minnow conquered a fat cat and the chance for supporters of teams in lower leagues to see some of the biggest stars in the world ply their craft. After all, The FA Cup Third Round tentacles spread across the top to the tenth tier of English football and fans from Fleetwood to Fulham will be fantasising about a fairy tale win.
Steeped in football history, FA Cup Third Round matches are notorious for delivering shock results and the aforementioned “giant killings.” Think back to 1972 and Ronnie Radford’s 30 yard piledriver on an absolute shocker of a pitch, which helped non-league Hereford United beat Newcastle United 2-1.
Credit: Steve Hume: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaqQoQ1rBH4
Or, remember 1992 when English champions Arsenal went to Wrexham’s Racecourse Ground and suffered an embarrassing 2-1 defeat, wearing the now legendary ‘bruised banana’ shirts? These are just two famous examples, but FA Cup history is littered with instances where teams from the lower leagues can produce the magic and complete improbable victories.
Credit: The Emirates FA Cup – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JD0eTN7dkQE
With the advent of 24/7 access to live football coverage, we’re now practically able to watch games from the prestige of the World Cup final to a “jumpers for goalposts” kick about in the local park, all at the tips of our fingers and some may argue this has diluted the mystique of The FA Cup.
As far as we’re concerned though, the magic is alive and kicking. We’ve already witnessed Sheffield Wednesday taking out Premier League high flying Newcastle United, Blackpool defeating Nottingham Forest and in what was probably the biggest shock of the Third Round (at the time of writing), non-league Wrexham dumped out Championship Coventry City in a stunning 4-3 win.
With rumoured changes to the tournament structure, we can only hope the powers that be ensure this football institution remains as one of the most significant in the footballing world.
