John Lyons
FLP EXECUTIVE EDITOR

THOSE of us with long memories remember when the FA Cup was the pinnacle of the domestic season.
It was a real treat to have a showpiece game to look forward to. In the days before the Premier League had even been dreamt of, there was hardly any live football on telly. It’s almost impossible to believe that now with televised games on virtually round the clock.
But gradually down the years, the competition lost some of its sparkle, particularly at the top end. Instead of being a priority for the big boys, it became a nuisance. It was all about being in ...