The FA Cup. The competition that
has in recent seasons, dwindled with regards to support and general interest
amongst the general footballing community. So perhaps it was fitting that this
seemingly unfashionable competition, was won by what can be described as a
seemingly unfashionable club in Wigan Athletic. It rekindled memories of FA Cup
campaigns past and the glory of the oldest competition in the world, restoring
it to its former self.
In recent years it has been disregarded by the FA. Kick off times have been varied to factor in corporate sponsors, TV audiences and the far superior Champions League Final at Wembley. Fans have been alienated by the ticketing policy and the simple lack of consideration by the authorities towards them. But amongst all of that, it's terrific that Wigan, little old Wigan, has reminded us of what the FA Cup is all about.
Despite
the kick off time, Saturday's match brought supporters back to a time when
English football was dominated by rich owners and foreign investors. A club at
the heart of the community, a club that remains grounded - a club that made the
FA Cup feel pure again.
If you ask supporters, they still care about the grand old competition very much. Especially lower league supporters. It gives them the opportunity to dream, the opportunity to go on an adventure and the opportunity to go on a once-in-a-lifetime rollercoaster ride against teams far mightier than their own. Crawley Town, Brentford and Macclesfield as well as all Conference clubs will vouch for that.
So
it's even more refreshing that this year's winners know what that feels like.
To taste victory in the way that they did is an amalgamation of 81 years of
planning, toil and hard work. They've been to the depths of non-league; they
know what it's like for the majority of the clubs in Britain. And that's what
makes it even more special. Not only that but it provides a template for lower
league clubs, something to aspire and look up to in the future which is perhaps
a poignant part of Wigan's winning legacy.
It
is perhaps even more fitting that Wigan's win should come in a year when
sponsors Budweiser nearly tore the heart out of the
competition completely. In the earlier rounds, they made a mockery of the cup,
allowing former stars to ply their trade for Wembley FC in the preliminary
rounds. Whilst it may be terrific for Wembley, it provided an unfair advantage
against other clubs and what's more, almost made the cup a brand to be bought
and sold as a product of promotion.
Wigan
have turned Budweiser's theory on its head. You don't need
world class players to do well, you need grit, determination and belief -
something that the megastars of Manchester City lacked on Saturday evening.
They looked disinterested as if it was just another medal for the trophy
cabinet, which is why Wigan won. They wanted it more, they have that extra
incentive to do it and to prove the doubters wrong - and for that I admire
them.
What
makes it even better is that the goal was a mirror of Lawrie Sanchez's of
Wimbledon against Liverpool in 1988. And similarly to that header, Ben Watson's
flick has equal significance now. It gave the town something to cheer about, it
gave football something to cheer about - a real success story that proves
rewards can come to those who wait. And that budgeting correctly does in fact
bring rewards, and they taste all the more sweet when they do come.
This
success in particular gives a spark of inspiration to those in a similar
position to what Wigan were, all those years ago. There's nothing to counter
the suggestion that with the right management and a small degree of investment,
teams in the third division and below can't emulate the Latics' feat. And with
Wigan's 1-0 victory, teams will firmly believe that such a feat
is achievable.
In
a sense I suppose you could say it was the Shabby Chic team that defeated the
Shabby Sheikh himself. Wigan, the most unfashionable team in the land defeating
the side that cruelly took promotion to the second division away from them 14
years previous. Not only is it a fantastic achievement for Wigan, but it's
a fantastic achievement for football and for the FA Cup.
Remember, you can follow me on Twitter, @NickMurphyDRFC.
