Cup final preview

People my age will see the FA Cup final through rose tinted eyes - in the 1970s and 80s there was hardly any live football on TV, and for those of us obsessed with the beautiful game (although it was rarely called that in those days) were served scraps that were Football Focus and On the ball (later to become Saint and Greavsie)

The FA cup final day was different, though. Coverage started at 11am, and we would be served up over 7 hours of highlights ranging from old cup finals to the players in their hotels, if you got bored with David Coleman you could see what Dickie Davies was up to on ITV instead. It was the final day of the season and seemed bigger than the World cup final. I remember Spurs winning in 1981, but have no idea where they finished in the league that season.

Now it feels diluted - the FA have managed to destroy this amazing occasion by playing it before the end if the league season - and this year it kicks off at 5.15 pm! Also, Wembley just looks like any other large stadium now, rather than the glorious huge cow shed it used to resemble.

Anyway, enough of my moaning - here's hoping for a great game. Just a shame it won't be David Coleman presenting it...

a058 - John Terry Chelsea FC Canvas Art Print - buy online

2057 - Kenny Dalglish Liverpool FC Canvas Art Print - buy online