As FA Cup fever GRIPS us all, ahead of the game at Old Trafford, this weekend, cast your minds back 3 decades, and remind yourself what this grand competition used to mean. Read my FA Cup Final match report here; http://www.northstandchat.com/content.php?730-Albion-2-2-Manchester-United-21-05-1983 (if you want)...
Back to Newtown Road, crack of dawn. Not ****ing this up. Rumours like wildfires, up and down the queue – “We’re only getting this many” – “We’re getting that many” – “There’s not enough” – “They’ve nearly all gone”. Tension. Success. Get in. Wem Ber Ley! The Albion are as good as relegated by now, but that seems entirely unimportant. We’ll soon be back up – it’s all about the FA Cup now.
All pretence of schooling is basically abandoned at this stage. Every lesson just excited babble. Are you going? Of course I’m bloody going. How are you getting there? Who are you going with? Do you know anyone with a spare? Not just in schools either – Brighton is now FA Cup Town. Every shop window displaying their (previously well hidden) love of the Albion. The Argus covers nothing else. There’s features on the news – not just the local gubbins – the actual proper news. Interviews on the pier, with various players, and with manager Jimmy Melia. Jimmy has a pair of white shoes – that alone the basis of half a dozen FA Cup stories. Balding little gnome Jimmy has a ‘glamour girl’, in Val Lloyd, on his arm – half a dozen more. The squad are flying to Wembley in a bloody helicopter, courtesy of shirt sponsors British Caledonian – more glamour. The Albion squad get involved in the ‘grand’ tradition of the FA Cup final single – “The Boys in the old Brighton blue” appear on Top of the Pops, no less. Amazing times.