Many of the criticisms levelled at the FA Cup in recent years have been the lack of interest and priority given to the competition by the bigger sides.
Given the riches on offer in the Champions League to an extent I can't blame them but it is a shame that such a traditional competition has been put on the back burner. Especially when some clubs saw it as a consolation prize when for they lost the league or in Europe. Those looking to bet FA Cup final money will certainly realise this.
It is refreshing then to see the enthusiasm by Man City and Stoke City fans ahead of their date at Wembley. Roberto Mancini's men, of course, are hunting their first trophy in over 30 years while Stoke will be playing in their first ever FA Cup final.
So, this is a chance for the fans to saviour and for them it isn't just 'another' day out at Wembley it's a game to remember. This is shown by the resurrection of one of the most infamous of FA Cup traditions – the FA Cup final song.
The fashion for making a song died out at the turn of the new century, perhaps because the same teams were always getting there. But both Man City and Stoke are set to record cup final records, with Tom Jones rumoured to be recording a cover of Stoke anthem Delilah and Noel Gallagher set to sing Blue Moon – both songs heard echoing from the stands at Eastlands and the Britannia Stadium. They won't effect the FA Cup betting tips of course, but it will add a bit of fun.
Both songs will perhaps not go down in musical history, but it sums up the excitement between the two sides and hopefully that will transmit to the players on the day and we will see a game that will kick fresh life into this ancient competition.
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