I just thought how fascinating that what used to be the biggest day in the football calendar didn't even have a thread on the Fishy. Has it really gone downhill so much?

There were some cracking games in the earlier rounds and a fair bit of interest generated by the giant killers but to be honest I won't be watching at 5.30 pm this year. There's about as much interest for a British neutral in the final as seeing Juventus Reserves play Athletico Madrid Reserves in a friendly.

Can't say I watch much, if any, of the football from the top clubs. The highest I'll watch is championship, as you get some good games.

I was thinking the same thing. Don't know why they call it the English Premier League. (I realise its the English Cup Final, but same thing) Mostly foreign owned, mostly foreign players, mostly foreign managers, mostly foreign viewers.

Think I'll watch highlights of carpet bowls instead.

Used to be an all day thing in the past. Unfortunately, all been killed now.

Used to be the only live game on TV (bar internationals). You had Cup Final Question of Sport, reports from the players hotels, the journey to the ground etc etc. At least this season they've waited until the season has finished.

One season not too long ago the final was played before the end of the season and there were even Premiership games played on the same day.

The FA Cup was on the decline for quite a while and as soon as they started playing the semi-finals at Wembley that just killed the magic completely.

Lack of interest amongst neutrals, is the fact that theres that much football shown on TV that apathy prevails. Those under 30 probably won't realise how little football was shown on telly. For me when i was younger it was a family event, it use to be great seeing relatives, that you only use to see a couple of times a year, gathering together in font of the telly, great commentators, Motty/Moore. I know times have changed, and i will probably still watch it live, but i can't say i'm that fussed about it.

Used to love it, now i don't. I'm going to the cider festival instead.

More interested in tomorrow's game, Blackpool v Exeter

Cup Final Swap Shop, and Cup Final "it's a knockout" as part of the day long event.  I used to cycle to a relatives who had a colour telly in the 70's  :)

The following week was usually then the Home Internationals, and that was it for live footy (Unless it was a World Cup year)

I still love it! For me it's the climax to the domestic season, all our family still gather to watch it every year without fail. I suppose in that respect it's what you make of it yourselves. Get your old man round, get your uncle knob head down, get the kids in the back yard kicking a ball around, have a BBQ and a few beers and watch the cup final! I think there was a lot more romance about the old Wembley with the history and nostalgia about it, but once the game kicks off that's all forgotten about.

The roundly The FA Cup is excrement thread ;)  I'll be watching it. The 2 semis were cracking games.

Well I will be watching it and the cricket,

Throw in a bit of motor racing and with the play offs,

We have got a great week end of sport.

I've probably missed only a couple of FA Cup finals on the TV in the last 40 years, will be watching again today as it is still special for me.

Can't see anything but a Chelsea win.

Well respected minutes silence for the victims of the Manchester terror attack.

Arsenal go 1 up.

Today's BBC prematch coverage showed how far the cup final coverage has declined. Arsenal Fan TV getting a terrestrial slot and a proper cringey intro featuring Ngolo becoming the UKs most popular name for babies and the Sanchez stadium.

Anyway Chelsea are doing a Town in the FA Trophy final after doing the important bit a week before.

I was about the post the same comment about Town and the Halifax game.  Very hard to step up again after celebrating.  

Arsenal would be in the top 4 if they played like this every week.  Even with defenders missing.

I still like it especially rounds 1, 2 and 3 as well as the final.

I actually believe that the FA & broadcasters have done more than most big clubs to damage the value of the cup with allowing Man U not to enter that time, stupid kick off times, choosing the wrong games to broadcast and playing the semis at Wembley rather than simultaneously at a neutral ground on a Saturday.

Al 3 administrative stake holders in the English game need to work harder to ensure that the competition remains famous and the final is the only game on the day not like a couple of years ago. It could be done if the administrators where not such selfish bar stewards.

Anyway so far this final looks half decent.

  

HT     Arsenal  1-0  Chelsea

Great final, Arsenal should be out of sight by now.

You just know that Chelsea are going to make Arsenal pay for their missed chances in the second half.

Ozil caught in possession.  1-1.

Arsenil take the lead again........Arsenal will surely hold out against ten men to win it now.

Ozil there.... so so close lol

Quite exciting second half. Missed first. Would be at the cider festival if I hadn't stupidly told everyone I'm having a dry month.

Arsenal win the FA Cup for a record breaking 13th time and deservedly so.

Pleased for Arsenal.  They showed all the qualities that they are not usually associated with.  Worthy winners.

I think Chelsea were on the beach/pi$$/bus or maybe all three.

Best team won, hope it's not the last we see of Wenger as I would love to see him prove his critics wrong.

Im so pleased that John terrys final act as a Chelsea player was to pick up a losers medal with out playing . It's karma for the champions league embarrassment . I hate the smug girl private

Quoted from fleabag1970

Im so pleased that John terrys final act as a Chelsea player was to pick up a losers medal with out playing . It's karma for the champions league embarrassment . I hate the smug girl private

His arrogance will not be missed at the very highest level, or any level for that matter. Once a racist always a racist in my view. Notice Rio is doing the pundit bit on BT I reckon he might have a nice smile inside too I'm sure.
  

Quoted from LH

Anyway Chelsea are doing a Town in the FA Trophy final after doing the important bit a week before.

They really did give racist JT a wonderful send off.

It must be hard to play a cup final so soon after that embarrassing substition incident last weekend.

Quoted from TheRonRaffertyFanClub

I just thought how fascinating that what used to be the biggest day in the football calendar didn't even have a thread on the Fishy. Has it really gone downhill so much?

There were some cracking games in the earlier rounds and a fair bit of interest generated by the giant killers but to be honest I won't be watching at 5.30 pm this year. There's about as much interest for a British neutral in the final as seeing Juventus Reserves play Athletico Madrid Reserves in a friendly.

Do you know what - totally agree with this - switched on with around 15 minutes left after watching England cricketers win a brilliant match against S.A., and realising that nearly 100% of the footballers on view at Wembley will never be seen again in England in a couple of years time - no continuity - nothing to think about - nothing to write about. Blank.  

Quoted from ginnywings

Used to love it, now i don't. I'm going to the cider festival instead.

Just got back (cider festival) and a good atmosphere but £2 for your initial plastic glass is a bit over the top for those of us that only popped in for one.

I havnt been interested in the FA Cup ever since GTFC stopped turning up for it, been ages since we have had a decent run.

Shame on Arsenal for not allowing John Terry to hold up the cup with them on the gantry

Should have a rule that every team must have 6 British players on the pitch. try and make it an English competition again. Would be a good leveller too.

Must have 3 gingers too.

Stokes, Bairstow and Ball

Obviously I hate it and it's excrement and for male masturbators but I really enjoyed it. End to end, loads of chances, bit of controversy and the right side won.

Quoted from Rodley Mariner

Obviously I hate it and it's excrement and for male masturbators but I really enjoyed it. End to end, loads of chances, bit of controversy and the right side won.

I stopped in at a family BBQ on my way to the Cleethorpes folk and cider festival and ended up watching the game for the first time in years and i have to agree, it was a great game and i enjoyed it, having earlier said i wouldn't be watching.

Quoted from ginnywings

I stopped in at a family BBQ on my way to the Cleethorpes folk and cider festival and ended up watching the game for the first time in years and i have to agree, it was a great game and i enjoyed it, having earlier said i wouldn't be watching.

hope you enjoyed the fest Ginny, just got back from the third day of supping apples...