Hove Lagoonery
Well-known member
- Dec 16, 2008
- 1,039
I've been a keen follower of the FA Challenge Cup since 1969. I miss the long weekends when giant killings could be savoured before the Monday lunchtime draw, made in the austere setting of FA headquarters at Lancaster Gate. I miss the exclusivity of the Wembley final. I miss the times when you fielded your strongest team no matter who you were playing. I miss the second and subsequent replays being held on neutral grounds, but those replays have been lost altogether. In my opinion, the introduction of penalty kicks to decide ties was an act of vandalism. Then came the abolition of any replays at all for the final and semi-finals . This was sold to us on the basis there was no home team to have an advantage but when this was extended to cover the 5th and 6th rounds, a line was crossed.
It was always the case that the team who had to play away could be compensated to some degree by being able to host the next 90 or 120 minutes if they were able to get the draw. It's a kind of natural justice, now denied in order to pander to the clubs with European fixtures to fulfill. If Grimsby force a 90 minute draw today then it will be muted cheers that I will greet any goals we score in extra time. Because that action should have taken place in the hostile atmosphere of Blundel Park.
It was always the case that the team who had to play away could be compensated to some degree by being able to host the next 90 or 120 minutes if they were able to get the draw. It's a kind of natural justice, now denied in order to pander to the clubs with European fixtures to fulfill. If Grimsby force a 90 minute draw today then it will be muted cheers that I will greet any goals we score in extra time. Because that action should have taken place in the hostile atmosphere of Blundel Park.