How can the FA and League Cups regain their magic?
I am not sure who had the worst week, Manchester City or the two English cup competitions.
A comparatively modest crowd of 36,017 witnessed City’s defeat in the first leg of Carling Cup semi-final. The low turn out even drew comment from BBC pundit and former England striker Alan Shearer. After a withering assessment of Mancini’s boys inept first half display, the deadpan Geordie drew attention to the 6,000 empty seats around the stadium.
This apathy was reflected by those punters who did bother to turn up. At times the atmosphere was more akin to a meeting of the Ed Milliband appreciation society, sparse in numbers and bereft of enthusiasm. In fairness the game was hardly edge of the seat material.
Mind you that 36,000 dwarfed the 14,594 who watched Birmingham City’s FA Cup encounter with Wolves. I had the dubious pleasure of listening to the game on Five Live. For once I actually found myself agreeing with Alan Green, a scary thought in itself. Greeny dismissed all the usual sentimentality associated with the FA Cup Third Round and concentrated on the stark St Andrews reality. In bygone days the West Midlands derby would have been the biggest show in town. A frenzy would have gripped the region with a sell-out assured. In contrast this contest drew Blues lowest attendance of the season.
My own reasons for not attending the game were two fold. Firstly the ridiculously early kick-off time of 12.30pm. These lunchtime offerings are notorious for their lack of sparkle. Secondary, I did go to last season's tie against Coventry City. On that occasion only 16,000 supporters passed through the turnstiles. At least 6,000 of those were of a Sky Blue persuasion. A great game was diluted by a feeble atmosphere.
The cup even failed to inspire in the hotbed of the North East. Newcastle United attracted just more than 30,000 fans to their game with Blackburn Rovers. This was 16,000 fewer than the corresponding Premier League fixture.
The great irony is that Manchester City and Birmingham City were last season's cup kings. After years in the wilderness both sets of Blues returned to the winner's enclosure. So why 12 months on does the chance of repeating those achievements appear so unappealing?
The sad truth is that this is a symptom of a growing disease. The Barclays Premier League is all consuming in the thoughts of chairman and managers. Financial considerations have paralysed the game, with balance sheets having an unhealthy influence on team sheets. Those at sharp end are equally seduced by the Champions League gravy train. Meanwhile the strugglers dare not contemplate life in the Championship. Winning a trophy is chicken feed compared to those missing millions from Sky.
Hence we have a situation where no-one is giving the cups their best shot. This train of thought has even filtered down into the Championship. Birmingham manager Chris Hughton was willing to abandon the club's Europa League adventure in favour of pursuing a quick return to the top flight. Hughton decided to rest several first teamers for those continental jousts to preserve their involvement in league action.
So can this mindset be changed? Any orders on team selection would no doubt be met by Holloway-size protestations. The Blackpool boss threatened to resign after the Seasiders were fined for fielding a weakened side at Villa Park last season. Managers would no doubt use the old “I am only doing my best for the club” line. Quickly followed by the suggestion that any interference from those above impinges on their very liberty.
The gloomy economic climate has to be taken into consideration. Hard pressed fans are understandably reluctant to shell out, especially when their favourites have two home games in a week. Add in the prospect of watching two second string line ups and the result is inevitable.
One thing is certain, the cups need to attract larger attendances. Arsenal have decided that the purchase of a season ticket will guarantee admission to all FA Cup games. The Gunners' initative was rewarded with a near sell-out against Leeds United. However, the cynic in me thinks that the top clubs can afford to be inventive. Arsenal have a huge fan base, the club has a waiting list of supporters who want to visit the Emirates. If the ticket policy alienates a section of support, their places will soon be taken by those on the list. The scheme also neglects fans who are unable to make every game. A proportion of the population have to work weekends, now they are been denied the chance to watch midweek games.
I guess the solution lies in prize money. The club's need to be persuaded that the cups are financially worth their while. My limited research revealed that this season's FA Cup winners will pocket £1.9 million. A tidy sum by any standards but this pales into insignificance compared with the riches of the Barclays Premier League. Last season relegated West Ham received an estimated £40.3 million through prize money and television rights.
Unless this gap is partly bridged the future of domestic knock out football remains bleak.
Article by Steve Coulter
How can the cups be restored to their former glory? Whatever your view we'd love to hear from you.
