The Magic Of The Cup

As AFC Bournemouth prepares to enter the FA Cup at the third round stage, Fletch talks about the reasons this annual knockout football competition is so special to him

- Steve Fletcher

THE FA Cup has always been a massive event for me. When I was growing up it was one of few live matches on TV and I’d be engrossed in the coverage all day, from pre match debate to the thrilling game.

As a Liverpool fan it was particularly special when the Reds were in the final. I can vividly remember watching the 1986 FA Cup Final between Liverpool and Everton. Gary Lineker put Everton one-up in the first half but Ian Rush scored twice in the second half and Craig Johnston also got a goal as Liverpool won 3-1. I ran around the streets of Hartlepool in my full Liverpool kit waving the Liverpool flag after we’d won!