Man Utd v Exeter City

[Pervert]

They ought to be ashamed if they turn the FA Cup, the premier domestic cup competition on the planet, into what the league cup now is. In Italy, Milan can have crowds of over 80,000 for home league games; come the cup, and they're unlikely to see a quarter of that. Is that really what the money-obsessed chairmen and executives and managers want?

The FA Cup is a great leveller, which is why Yeading were able to give Newcastle such a hard time. But because of that, unfashionable clubs occasionally win cup competitions and, as a result, qualify for Europe---which as we know is the domain of the rich clubs, their personal money-making machine.

[Deuce Bigolo]

Its was signalled a few years ago by Man U when they considered pulling out of the FA Cup altogether because of the heavy schedule

The League Cups days are numbered IMHO

cheers
B....OZ

[eduardo]

They did pull out of the FA Cup in the year of the world club (dud) cup in Brazil.

It was stated as a heavy shedule and they said that they couldn't play in both the world club cup and the FA Cup and had to choose which one. Most of the media reported that they turned their back on the FA Cup for worldwide exposure.

The real reason was England were trying to host the World Cup for 2006 which eventually went to Germany and pressure was put on them from above. Basically Fifa told the FA that they would not look to kindly on Englands bid if Man Utd weren't at the World Club Cup and hence the FA used this to sort of emotionally blackmail the Mancs into going.

Without the mancs in the competition then Fifa wouldn't have been able to sell the rights for anywhere near the same money. It's all about money.

It's things like this that tell me football has lost it's soul.

[Ace]

I now EXACTLY how he feels Ed, I was a regular at The Shed End through most of the 80's and my old man used to take me to see them in the very early 70's before we emigrated.
I remember the shit we were in even when Ken tried his best to make the club 'great' again with David Speedie and Kerry Dixon up front.
Whilst I now relish being a 'cosmopoliton club' I also realise 'real fans' aren't wanted unless they have money to invest. I have also had to buy black market tickets from scum of the earth touts at twice their face value JUST to watch my team.
Chelsea with Abramovich in charge will NEVER suffer, but how many of these 'Johnny-cum-lately' fans will piss off if he does and the club face major shortfalls in the bottomless pit of money and the big stars go to other clubs? Most of 'em...........thats for sure!!

[tas]

I too was a regular, standing week after week in the pissing rain in west stand, (better now they have put a roof on it though) but it is all getting to expensive especially when you add in the pre match drinks at the 'newt' then at zola's bar then a few beers afterwards. Maybe they should bring back terracing, you would get far more people in which in theory should bring down the ticket prices a little.