EAGLES PROVE CUP'S MAGIC

Showpiece still a special day

- JEREMY CROSS

THE sun was shining.

Like it generally does on FA Cup Final day.

And there was the mandatory Coldstream brass band, singing of 'Abide With Me' and formal introductions between both teams and some formal looking people.

We had the flags and flamethrowers, banners and balloons. But this is where it felt like the traditions came to a shuddering halt.

Crystal Palace did their best to contribute to the trademark of the occasions, arriving at Wembley all suited and booted.

Which is how it should be. Showing the oldest competition in club football the respect it deserves.

As for Manchester City, they arrived in more casual attire. Yet that's the thing with the FA Cup. It has lost the reverence it once had.

The final used to be the last game of the season. The big finale after the league campaigns had finished.

A clash with a full week's build-up, to gain maximum attention and sharpen the focus of the footballing neutral.

Those shots of the teams leaving their hotels, then being followed by a helicopter on the bus to the stadium.

Those crap team songs written just for the final - and sung horrendously.