Roberto Baggio’s penalty in 1994, Holland’s double disappointment in the 1970s, Bayern’s late 1999 heartache – defeated finalists have created some of the game’s most enduring images, to which players at all levels can relate
As captain it was my job to go up and col-lect the cup. I may have been 12, but I knew when I was being patronised. We hadn’t come close to winning the Eastleigh District League Cup final, yet here I was, being presented with the fair play award. This was no doubt dreamed up as some kind of consolation prize to ease the disappointment of defeat in a big game. Losing 8-0 was bad enough, but if I needed consoling it was after having to lift that thing in front of a congregation of parents which included my own.
Yes, you get a day out and a medal when you reach a final, but when you’ve built up a runners-up collection like mine you start considering semi-final defeat as a blessing in disguise, something you can forget about. Between 1991 and 2005 I played in six cup finals. I’m yet to win one, so I cringe when I hear pundits harping on about nobody remembering the losers in a cup final. The losers are all I tend to remember.
Denne historien er fra January 2018-utgaven av When Saturday Comes.
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Denne historien er fra January 2018-utgaven av When Saturday Comes.
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
Pirate Transmission
Broadcasters around the world are paying huge sums to screen football, but they will not be willing to invest if they cannot be protected.
Scandi Drama
Years before it was screened live in the UK, England’s Football League was building a cult following abroad thanks to a visionary broadcaster.
Pot Of Gold
A rare meeting between two local rivals brought FA Cup fever – and a useful financial boost – to one corner of Hertfordshire
Digital Divide
From earnest post-match punditry to being used in actual players’ matchday preparations, the virtual game is becoming increasingly blurred with reality.
Haringey Ladder
The decision to walk off in the face of abuse has shone a national spotlight on a community club with a progressive approach
Bournemouth 0 Norwich City 0
Dean Court may have received a Premier League facelift but against today’s visitors the home team fail to live up to their status, although the low-quality draw they play out is still somehow reassuring.
Room With A View
Hampden Park
Not In The Script
ARSENAL FILM
Out Of Place...
After another unsuccessful qualifying attempt Martin O’Neill is under pressure, while a poor Republic of Ireland squad is only getting weaker
Uncomfortable Truth
At the end of April Sheffield United surprised many people by re-signing Ched Evans, who, following a retrial, has now been found not guilty of the rape charge for which he spent two-and-a-half years in prison.
