Is the Cup “magic” for all Brentford supporters?

2 Comments

1. 

   Geoff Buckingham on January 9, 2017 at 1:44 pm

   Well done,Ian,on another fine article.
   I guess the FA Cup is more nostalgic to older supporters, as we love to look back fondly on the ‘good old days’.
   I can still vividly recall crowds of 27,000 and even 30,000 at Griffin Park for replays against Oxford United and Burnley in the mid 1960’s . I was even one of the fans crammed in with 12000 others at the ‘Rec in Aldershot in 1961!
   So, yes, the FA Cup magic has lost a bit of its glitter due to saturation, and maybe due to the extra financial pressure on clubs and the anxiety of supporters, to retain their divisional status at all costs . The likelyhood of bigger clubs fielding weakened line ups is another major factor. However, I think mostly this applies to the early rounds. If Brentford reach the latter stages, then I believe the old ‘FA Cup Fever’ will return and Griffin Park will be packed to the rafters. Or possibly we will see the return of 40 coaches or more for an away tie to a big club!?
   Although the weekend had some glaringly low crowds, it is very encouraging that West Ham, Chelsea, Spurs and Liverpool had huge attendances. And the one at Griffin Park was not bad too.Although the Martin Allen and Jota factors played their part, it is probably more than we would have got a few seasons ago.
   Let us hope we get a real plum tie in tonight’s draw!!

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2. 

   the_ain't on January 12, 2017 at 5:44 pm

   i am an older supporter but regretfully the fa cup (and all other cups) has had its day and it would be better to put the competition into mothballs until the time when clubs again take the competition seriously. it isn’t a priority for anyone and has lost all of its former magic.brentford should show itself to be a visionary club and withdraw from this meaningless tournament.

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