News

FA Cup a run-out for kids…don’t think so

|

Blind Hammer is dismayed at the dismissal of the FA Cup.

One of the greatest days of my life was watching Billy Bonds lift the FA Cup at Wembley for the first time in 1975. I was gutted five years later, to miss him repeat the feat in our historic win over Arsenal.

Ticket touts wanted what for me was a month’s pay for the privilege of attending the match, so about £2,000 in today’s money.

The fact that the blood-sucking touts could leech so much money out of West Ham fans demonstrated the heights of interest though.

Though too young to attend, I also remember the joy my family experienced in 1964 as my brother returned celebrating from Wembley. That historic Cup run, including the semi final in the pouring rain at Hillsborough against Manchester United, stayed vivid in my brother’s memory for life.

We knew, even in those far off days, that we would never win the League, at least not in our lifetimes, but we could experience the joy of being Champions of Cup Competitions.

I am baffled and dismayed then at any suggestion that the game against Leeds is a low priority opportunity for a “try out” for the kids. A chance for a giggle before the serious stuff starts again.

We have our strongest squad for a generation. Are we really suggesting that we blow a chance of winning a competition into touch? Just because some mega-elite rich clubs regard it as a “distraction” from the big money lure of the Champions League?

Cup heroic traditions and legends are the emotional stuff which builds up not just fans and clubs but most importantly players.

Probably the greatest moment in Trevor Brooking’s life was when, at Wembley to bullet an unlikely header into the Arsenal net.

Without the triumphs in 1975 and 1980 to sustain him, without the consequent emotional melding to West Ham and all it entails, it is unlikely that Brooking would have resisted the host of clubs buzzing around him, trying to prise his talents away from the Hammers.

It is these emotional highs that not just fans but players crave. If we are ever to harbour ambitions to compete at the top table we must provide at least the hope of this for the players in our squad.

Most specifically if we are to retain the services of players like Declan Rice then we must take these competitions seriously.

We have no chance of knocking Manchester City with their mega wealth off their pedestal in the Premier League over a season, but have already proved that we can triumph over them in one-off game.

After all, we are not playing Doncaster or Rotherham but instead involved in a high stakes clash against Premier League opposition. They will be just as desperate to seek glory.

A run out for the kids? I don’t think so!

Share this article

My Father, born in 1891 was brought up in the shadows of the Thames Ironworks Memorial Ground. I remember as a child jumping over the settee when Alan Sealy scored in our 1965 European Cup Winners triumph.

My first game was against Leicester in 1968, when Martin Peters scored what was adjudged by ITV’s Big Match as the Goal of the Season.

I became a season ticket holder in 1970.

I was registered blind in 1986 and thought my West Ham supporting days were over. However in 2010 I learnt about the fantastic support West Ham offer to Blind and other Disabled Supporters. I now use the Insightful Irons in-stadium commentary service and West Ham provide space for my Guide Dog Nyle.

I sit on the West Ham Disabled Supporters Board and the LLDC Built Environment Access Panel.

David Griffith aka Blind Hammer

0 comments

  • hammerpete6 says:

    I get your point entirely David – except is it a risk or a throwaway if they are ready and we have injuries? Dec and Diop are not exactly old, Ben Johnson is a regular, the young under 23’s in the back four have all stepped up with distinction – more trusty than Arthur IMO. In the glorious past, we beat Preston who had teenage Kendall and we had Johnny Sissons – no throwaway there. If they are good enough. ….

  • fatkams says:

    I’m with you on this David, silverware is silverware. However I would rest some of our 1st teamer though. Players like Rice, Soucek, Antonio, Bowen, Dawson (carrying a knock) need to be rested. I think the team should line up like this

    Areola

    Ashby Diop Alese Longelo

    Noble Kral

    Yarmolenko Vlasic Masuaku

    Odubeko or Perkins

Comments are closed.