It’s still a magical competition.
IT IS nearly ten years ago now, but occasionally the memory is triggered and the mind goes back to a cold, wet night at Oakwell, a raucous crowd, Martin
Devaney’s high cross hanging in the air… and Kayode Odejayi leaping high to head in past Carlo Cudicini.
March 2008. The FA Cup. Barnsley beating a Chelsea side containing John Terry, Michael Essien, Joe Cole, Nicolas Anelka, Michael Ballack and more. A night of drama and delirium no-one there will ever forget.
There are others. Cardiff City beating Leeds United – the talented ‘chasing the dream’ era Leeds of David O’Leary – at a wild Ninian Park. Gillingham putting then-Premier League clubs Bradford City and Sheffield Wednesday to the sword. And, many moons ago, York City stunning Arsenal at a snowy Bootham Crescent.
As a journalist and fan I’ve been privileged to watch big matches around the world and at great stadia, but it is surprising how many of the most memorable are FA Cup ties at more humble arenas.
This is the magic of the world’s oldest knockout competition and I desperately hope Football League clubs are seizing the opportunity this weekend.
This column was penned before the third round kicked off, but it did not take a crystal ball to know many teams will have fielded weakened sides.
Denne historien er fra January 07, 2018-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
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Denne historien er fra January 07, 2018-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
FUMING GRANT'S BLAST PAYS OFF
CHOICE words from Grant McCann at half-time did the trick as Doncaster Rovers came back to secure a point against classy Notts County.
BOSS MARTI'S ON A MISSION TO RESCUE R'S ALL OVER AGAIN
ARTI Cifuentes proved he was up for a challenge when he took the manager’s job at QPR just over a year ago.
HUSTLE FROM RUSSELL NETS DERBY SPOILS
HEAD coach Darrell Clarke praised goalscorer Jon Russell as his Barnsley side earned all three points in a home victory over South Yorkshire rivals Rotherham United.
DAVIES AGONY AS BLUES BLOW IT
ADEJECTED Chris Davies gave a bleak assessment of his Birmingham City side’s draw against Northampton Town.
WARNOCK: ONLY A GAME? IT'S LIFE OR DEATH IN SHEFFIELD!
JUST another game? Don’t pull that one on Neil Warnock, a Sheffield native, boyhood Blade and managerial veteran of nine Steel City derbies.
BISHOP AT THE HEART OF POMPEY WIN
COLBY Bishop’s spectacular return after heart surgery was a well-kept secret, said Portsmouth manager John Mousinho.
ACE VAKOUN CLEANS UP FOR THE HORNETS
VAKOUN Bayo took the plaudits once more after his goal sunk Oxford on Friday.
ANDI'S AT DOUBLE TO SPARK AWAY JOY
BLACKBURN Rovers boss John Eustace believes his team gave a text-book performance to get a first away win of the league season at Cardiff.
COV CATCH BLACK CATS NAPPING
SUNDERLAND head coach Regis le Bris was frustrated his players couldn’t build on two moments of first half magic that should have seen off managerless Coventry City at the Stadium of Light.
FARKE: WE HAVE THE WINNING MENTALITY TO STAY COURSE
Pressure mounts on Hoops manager
