JOHNGIBSON Magic of the Cup? It is gone for good

TELEVISION AND MONEY HOLD SWAY AS FAMOUS OLD POT’S SHEEN FADES

THE FA Cup, once the finest and most romantic knock-out competition on planet earth, has been cynically reduced to the level of the Checkatrade Trophy by the collective efforts of the supposed guardians of our national game.

Where once Newcastle were the Cup kings of England, admired across the land for their swaggering achievements, we now have upon us next month a third round of suspect prestige.

Six times United claimed the famous old pot, culminating with three victories in five years during the early fifties when Wor Jackie, Bobby Mitchell and Joe Harvey were princes but that, sadly, was yesterday.

The Football Association have disgracefully moved United’s third-round kick-off at St James Park on January 5 to 5.30 for the exclusive sake of overseas TV as they have with so many ties, totally disregarding fans and ripping the heart out of a very special day.

Yet while they deserve all the criticism and accusations levelled at their cold pursuit of a few bob, any accusing finger cannot be pointed exclusively at them. Others must share the dock.

The managers and their clubs have also systematically destroyed a wonderful event until it is now almost unrecognisable.

Premier League bosses blatantly pick weak sides, excusing themselves by bleatingt they must either protect their club’s league status or, if already successful, concentrate on the bigger prize of Europe and so romance has disappeared.

In trying to justify themselves to supporters they put fear in their hearts. The fear of relegation – but how much evidence is there one automatically leads to the other? United did not go down in 1974 when they played their full-strength side in the old First Division, the FA Cup, AND the Texaco Cup right way through to both finals. Nor in 1998 or 1999.

However, with modern thinking there are no Wembley cup finals for clubs like Newcastle and no real giant-killing for the lesser lights because they are beating mainly reserve teams.

The FA Cup has in fact become a replica of the Checkatrade Trophy where at least there is no pretence – top clubs officially field their under-23 sides against League One and Two opposition.

I would suggest United v Blackburn in the FA Cup carries only a little more clout than Sunderland v Newcastle Under23s in the Checkatrade. such has been the dismantling of a trophy Wor Jackie treasured throughout his lifetime.

The recent further crushing of dreams has seen 22 of the 32 ties on January 5 moved from the traditional 3.00 kick-off because of television.

Not just television in our country but many, including the Magpies, for the benefit of only international audiences abroad.

This season is the first of a new television deal which allows international as well as domestic broadcasters to change kick-off times in order to maximise audiences for live games.

The greatest day of the FA Cup when David faces Goliath and the world holds its breath has been robbed of its cloak of mystique by managers and FA alike as a whole generation of fans is growing up not realising they may never see their club win a trophy in their lifetime.

If United do not go for glory in the two domestic knock-out competitions for example then what will they win in the future?

The Premier League? The Champions League? Or even the Europa Cup?