Do Cup finals mean nothing?

Tonight, either of Bradford city or Swansea City will make history and complete an absolute fairytale under the famous Wembley arch. Going through the history of both the football clubs, you can feel how much this cup final means to them and the excitement is palpable.

While Swansea have completed the journey from being absolutely bottom of the English football League to building the club up and finally being in the Premier League, they now will be playing their first ever major Cup final and they are on the precipice of a historic double – Winning their first major Cup ever and being the first team from outside England to win a major English cup. Michael Laudrup now has the chance of registering his name into Swansea folklore. While Swansea’s story is full of fulfilled dreams, Bradford’s has been one of tragedy.

Apart from being a League 2 side, they have suffered enough bad days to value days like this. In 1985, a terrible fire started at their home stadium which took the lives of 56 supporter. They also came close to liquidity numerous times. Even now, although they are in a cup final, they still have a squad assembled for less than 10,000 pounds, something which is virtually impossible these days.

While both of these clubs have stories to tell and history to make, something reminds us of the magic of these cup competitions. While “the magic of the F.A.Cup” is an overused cliche, tonight’s cup final vindicates it.

These days, people are so focussed on getting that elusive 4th spot that they actually forget what a cup final means. Football has always been a way to fulfil your dreams, whether as a player or a fan. Liverpool fans of yesteryear still reminisce about the way they celebrated when they first won the F.A.Cup in ’65. Streets were full of people and it was equivalent to almost a European cup in those days. Now you see fans are not bothered about these games. Many a times even the games are not broadcasted as well as even the mangers take these competitions very lightly, often playing below strength teams. The reason? There is just too much riding on the 4th spot and no one even gives Cup competitions a second look.

Money has spoiled the game of football. It has taken away the very essence of the game. Commercialisation has resulted in doing only what profits you. These days only three things count – the League title, the Champions League and qualification for Champions League. Even a manager as great as Arsene Wenger has admitted it. May be we have potentially reached a point where all of this is pretty much irreversible.

The point in favour of these cups is that players actually win a medal and have achieved something. While gaining the 4th spot gives them a chance to play at the highest stage, can they ever boast about it, can they tell their grandchildren about how they famously finished 4th in the league table? David Moyes has done it once but is it of any real value? Now just imagine if Bradford City win the final today. They will not only win the cup but could be potentially be playing in Europe next season while still being in League Two. Another special thing about today will be the mascot who will lead Bradford City at Wembley, Jake Turton, a cancer survivor. He will lead his heroes into the a famous venue, a privilege only few people have. In the words of Bradford captain Gary Jones, “Imagine playing Inter Milan on a Thursday and Dagenham & Redbridge on Sunday.” How about that for some magic?