When looking at the past winners of the FA Cup, all the way back to the competition’s inception in 1872, what most jumps out is not who the tournament kings are, though of course we’ll crown them in due course.
What grabs the attention are its unlikely paupers, in modern times at least.
Take Newcastle United, a popular club that has spent 90 of its 130 years of existence in the English top-flight.
The Magpies boast a proud history competing in the world’s oldest club competition, but like the author L.P. Hartley once wrote, the past is a foreign country: they do things differently there.
The North-East giants last lifted the fabled cup in 1955, back when the television pictures were the same two tones as their shirts, and though they have reached three finals since, it still amounts to a lifetime of falling short.
Aston Villa are another who are long overdue in upping their FA Cup game. Historically, only five clubs have won the cup more than the Villans, but again their last success was in the faraway Fifties.
Just two subsequent final appearances is simply not good enough for an institution of its considerable standing.
In 1995, Everton upending the sports betting by beating the favourites Manchester United, courtesy of a Paul Rideout header. The years since, however, have produced only a plethora of disappointing exits, often in the early rounds.
It should be noted incidentally that the Toffees have reached 13 finals all told. They have lost eight of them.
Lastly, we come to Tottenham who famously tend to parade the hallowed trophy around Wembley in years ending in one. Or rather, that used to be the case.
Spurs have won the FA Cup on eight occasions, a highly commendable number. They haven’t come close to improving on that figure since 1991.
These clubs will be desperately hoping to right several decades of wrongs this season as the latest chapter of the FA Cup unfolds. But to go all of the way it will no doubt mean encountering sides that have a hugely impressive and long-standing cup pedigree.
Chelsea is one such club, holders of the cup eight times over – the same as Spurs – but crucially so many of their triumphs have come in the modern era. Indeed, the Blues have participated in a FA Cup final 45.8% of the time in the 21st century, a remarkable feat.
Unsurprisingly there is also Manchester United to consider, as is always the way.
The Red Devils have been involved in 14% of FA Cup finals going right back to the start, a percentage that is all-the-more noteworthy when its acknowledged the club didn’t even exist for the first six years of competition.
United have won the cup 12 times but the undisputed kings of the tournament are Arsenal with 14 much-cherished successes to their name.
From Herbert Chapman’s imperious dominance of English football in the Thirties, to Charlie George lying flat on his back after converting against Liverpool, right through to Mikel Arteta capping his first season in charge with a trophy, the Gunners have long held a special relationship with the FA Cup. It’s fair to say it’s been a very successful one, too.
We all love a giant-killing, a result that makes a mockery of the football betting and has us talking in excited cliches.
But there is a lot to be said also, about teams that show up, year in, year out. Who consistently produce and justify over and over their elite status.
Arsenal are the kings of the FA Cup. They are true cup royalty.
*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to Alamy*
