FA CUP THE MOVIE
Desperately seeking to apply some polish to the FA Cup, the Football
Association are considering a proposal from American movie moguls to make a
full-length feature film of a season in the life of the world's oldest
footballing trophy. Provisionally titled The Dream Factory, this emotional
picture will celebrate the romance of the Cup, focusing on the popular David
versus Goliath plot-line. It's Hereford meets Hollywood.
If they do head off to the flicks, the popcorn-munching mandarins of Soho
Square will be following in Roy Keane's footsteps. The Irishman co-operated
in a film released yesterday which attempts to provide a more rounded
picture of Mick McCarthy's nemesis. If Keane's public image can be improved
by a 90-minute movie, bringing some lustre to the FA Cup should be a doddle.
Celluloid chronicling has become de rigueur among the rich and famous:
Manchester United have done a film, Liverpool have one out soon and the
concept has just been floated chez Arsenal. The managers are given the last
word on the final cut: Sir Alex Ferguson happily accepted the director's
version, while Gerard Houllier was concerned by any scene - or frame - that
might reflect badly on Liverpool (such as a shot of a fan holding a beer)Stanley knives were ok though.
Manchester United have done a film, Liverpool have one out soon and the
concept has just been floated chez Arsenal. The managers are given the last
word on the final cut: Sir Alex Ferguson happily accepted the director's
version, while Gerard Houllier was concerned by any scene - or frame - that
might reflect badly on Liverpool (such as a shot of a fan holding a beer)Stanley knives were ok though.
United's preference for the beaches of Brazil rather than the pitches of
England when scheduled to defend their trophy three seasons ago will go down
as one of the darkest days in the Cup's history. The short-sighted, money-driven decision to link the competition to a sponsor - the ghastly "in association with" which stuck in newsreaders' throats - certainly cheapenedthe Cup.
The Cup may have lost something in the eyes of the leading players and
managers but fans adore it, love the day out at Wembley, Cardiff, wherever
the Cup lays its hat. Whenever fans congregate, talk often turns to Cup
moments. Take Tottenham Hotspur: memories abound of Ricky Villa's dribble,
Ossie Ardiles's knees and Paul Gascoigne's free-kick.
The directors would go behind the scenes, charting the feelings of pride or
trepidation of unknown players before stepping out at famous venues. They
would eavesdrop on fans building up for the match, on managers explaining
away humiliating results.
People love the idea of the Cup but are not going to Cup ties in the huge
numbers of yesteryear. The Cup is in decline and radical measures are
required to arrest this sad development. Sending the Cup on a big-screen
adventure may just help safeguard its future.