FA Cup question

[thedoc46]

OK so i emigrated to the USA 11yrs ago, and i wasn't a footie fan back then anyway. But I was surprised to hear that some of my work colleagues who love the Premiership were not aware of the FA Cup and its presence. Hence my question......

Has its popularity shrunk in size over the last 11yrs or something? Has the Champions league completely taken it over?

I always remember it being as the biggest day in British Football.

 

[BaZ87]

In a word, yes.

It's been on the decline for longer than 11 years too. In 2000 Man Utd pulled out of the competition all together because of a possible fixture pile up, prioritising other competitions to the FA Cup.

The timing of the start of the competition (for the PL sides) and the financial rewards of other competitions compared to the FA Cup has killed it. Winning the FA Cup pays nothing in comparison to qualifying for the CL and for the sides that have no chance of making the CL, it's more important to stay in the PL than a Cup run so they don't take it as seriously either.

You're right though, the FA Cup used to be the biggest day in the football season, being played after the League season finishes with the build up starting on the BBC from frist thing in the morning. Now you're lucky if it starts an hour before kick-off, with the kick-of being moved to 5.30pm in previous seasons and being played the same weekend as PL games.

 

[Derek W]

I always remember it being as the biggest day in British English Football.