The Romance Of The FA Cup

So, then there were four. Barnsley,Portsmouth, West Bromwich Albion and Cardiff City. What odds would you have got for that semi final lineup back in January? 5000/1 ? 10,000/1 ? Or the bookie would be making a quick call to the men in white coats for you. Of those four West Brom are the most recent winners. A mere 40 years ago. Portsmouth are next, a slightly longer 69 year gap. Cardiff, well, 1927 is still talked about, the only time a non-English side has won the cup, and Barnsley won it when motor cars were a rarity, and flying even rarer - 1914. So whoever wins, will bridge a huge gap and certainly bring hope to those clubs who might have felt that the FA Cup was the sole property of the so called 'Big Four' clubs. I have a feeling for Barnsley, they have knocked out Chelsea and Liverpool, and have the biggest gap to bridge in terms of when their supporters last saw thge cup in town.

View blog reactions