FA Cup presents a historic opportunity for seven clubs

Weekend’s quarter-finals are a once-in-a-generation event

- MIGUEL DELANEY

At Brighton this week, it had been suggested the club supply fans with special flags to give today a proper sense of occasion, but this was rejected by manager Fabian Hurzeler and the wider staff. They want the players to treat this FA Cup quarter-final at home to Nottingham Forest as if it’s just another home game. That tends to be an attitude more conducive to actually winning, especially when you can sense the excitement building around the training ground.

Brighton are far from the only club wrestling with such competing emotions this weekend because the majority of those left in the FA Cup are keenly aware this isn’t just another game. It’s a historic, and maybe unique, opportunity.

There will be no debates about the competition’s meaning. Most of the clubs who most frequently win it – including its five most successful over the last 34 years and nine of its past 10 winners – are out. It really couldn’t mean more to those left.

Of that eight, half have never won a major trophy at all. They are Bournemouth, Brighton, Crystal Palace and Fulham.

FA CUP QUARTER-FINALISTS AND THE YEARS SINCE THEIR LAST MAJOR TROPHY

• Manchester City – one

• Aston Villa – 29

• Nottingham Forest – 35

• Preston North End – 86

• AFC Bournemouth – Never

• Crystal Palace – Never

• Brighton and Hove Albion – Never

• Fulham FC – Never

Preston North End have done a traditional league and cup double but haven’t won a trophy since their last FA Cup in 1938. There will be no concerns about bringing flags to Deepdale, where the atmosphere is already incredible around the stadium.