The majestic FA Cup

My first FA Cup Final was back in 1980, West Ham v Arsenal. I lived in Australia anf my dad was a Spurs fan. He said we had to support West Ham, I didn't know why, but I went with it anyway. In those days West Ham were in the second divison and of course they effected a big upset by defeating Arsenal 1-0.

The following season was the turn of Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur, two mid table teams in the first divion. A goal by Tommy Hutchinson at eather end took the game to a replay, and in my opinion the greatest FA Cup Final in history, the resaon I now support Spurs, of course 1 3-2 victory inspired by that Ricky Villa goal.

The 1982 cup final was contested by 1st Divison Tottenham and 2nd Divison Queens Park Rangers. This was another game taken to a replay and a 1-0 victory to Spurs. The 1983 FA Cup Final was contested by Manchester United and the unfancied and already relegated Brighton and Hove Albion. Another game which was taken to a replay, that really should never have gone that far had Brighton not fluffed their chance at the end to find the winner.

The 1984 FA Cup final was contested again by an unfancied side in Watford who were defated by Everton who were to win the First Divison title twice in coming seasons.

Since I have been following football these have been the best sequence of FA Cup finals I can remember. Soon the big teams took over and it was down to Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea to take the trophy home year after year. The fairytale had ended.

For a Spurs fan, the FA Cup is part of our history. We were the first and still only non-league side to win the Cup in 1901, we won the double in 1961 by defeating Leceister City in the final. The Ricky Villa moment. Paul Gascoigne's goal in the semi final in 1991. This is our cup.

This season has had some real highs and lows for us, and without going into an analysis of where we have gone wrong, I think we can all agree that if that famous trophy is sitting in our cabinet at the end of the season, then it will be a good season for us.

COYS