Cup or Trophy?

by Marc Monitor Fri Sep 25, 2015 12:18 am

Last season should have showed us that the Trophy is very much a worthwhile competition to take part in. We made heavy work of the Gloucester City games especially at home until Stearn saved us. Obviously, then the away win at Rovers and then beating Wealdstone and we were away.

The thing is, obviously, we want to do well in both competitions. However, if we have to prioritise one or the other, I would prefer to go for the Trophy. Yes, in the cup, with the rub of the green and a following wind, we may get to January and get the chance to be stuffed at Stamford Bridge, Old Trafford or the Emirates or get stuffed at Twerton, maybe draw and get a replay.

Now the above, from a financial and commercial point of view, is by far the best option. However, from a football supporters' point of view, there is nothing like the opportunity to watch your team contest a final at Wembley. I did two with Cardiff City and, even though we lost both, it is amazing. I say this as someone who thinks that Wembley is second best to the Millenium Stadium. It is just a brilliant day, win or lose. I also saw Cardiff play in the cup ties at Highbury, Stamford Bridge, Anfield and a couple of other bigger stadiums and it was OK but not special in the way a final at Wembley is.

Like I say, with the best will in the world, I hope we give both competitions a really good go but, I have to say, if I were choosing, it would be the Trophy.

by BenE Fri Sep 25, 2015 8:38 am

The option has often been get knocked out in the first round of the Cup or the first round of the Trophy. But if we were to go on a run I would prefer the cup. Bigger games, bigger gates etc and might even get on the telly.

by yuffie Fri Sep 25, 2015 9:08 am

In previous years I've always preferred the idea of a long run in the FA Cup. If you do reach the 3rd Round then you've probably had one or two memorable games against league clubs already by that stage, possibly on the TV. Then there's the excitement of the draw at each proper round stage.

This was also increased by having no expectation of doing well in the Trophy. However, after last season's run and spending two weeks trying (and failing) not to dream of seeing City at Wembley I can't help hoping that we can do what Ferriby did this year - go all the way after getting close the previous year.

Having said that I do have a suspicion we will never get so close to Wembley again so, in that case, I hope we win tomorrow and it's starts a run to the Etihad Stadium in January Cool

by Dave Fri Sep 25, 2015 9:23 am

FA Cup, easily. The season was over last year before the Gloucester tie, and it was a first re-uniting with old rivals for a while so I got myself excited for it while fully expecting to be knocked out. The rest was a massive bonus, and not having to go to the vandalised 'national stadium' was a blessing. Back to normal now though, the Trophy is good only for a couple of rounds worth of minimal prize money and largely an inconvenience (replays especially). Bring on Saturday

by comrade powell Fri Sep 25, 2015 9:51 am

As most of my favourite memories of watching City are in cup matches, I'll go for that. But not for the usual financial reasons which are trotted out and which are gradually killing the competition.

Afraid I can't share Marc's love of a day out at Wembley. Although an improvement on the national disgrace which it replaced, the stadium is simply a monument to the corporate greed that now infests sport. I've seen trophy finals with 3/4 of the place closed and I can assure you it not a particularly memorable day out. Mind, I'd have probably dragged myself along if we had beaten Ferriby!

by Roman Mike Fri Sep 25, 2015 10:15 am

False dichotomy
Try and win every game you play

by yuffie Fri Sep 25, 2015 10:25 am

I don't think anyone is saying we shouldn't - certainly I would expect the players to try and win every game*

It's just a hypothetical discussion on which competition you'd prefer us to do better in this season.

*even the Somerset Premier Cup.

by Roman Mike Fri Sep 25, 2015 10:43 am

yuffie wrote:I don't think anyone is saying we shouldn't - certainly I would expect the players to try and win every game*

It's just a hypothetical discussion on which competition you'd prefer us to do better in this season.

*even the Somerset Premier Cup.

Thanks for explaining :-)

by Marc Monitor Fri Sep 25, 2015 11:30 am

Philistines, the lot of you. Yeah, it is a hypothetical question. Like I say, you want to do well in both and, to be fair to the management, they seem to always give both a go. I wonder whether the realisation that you 'only' get £80,000 for getting to the final may change that though. However, the increased crowds and publicity in and around the Trophy run make it worth it.

I have to say that, as someone who knows the need for extra funds in this club as much as anyone, the financial side of it leaves me cold. I hate small clubs switching home ties for away ties for a share of larger gate receipts. Like I say, playing at bigger stadiums is OK but not quite as much fun as is thought - being told where you have to sit, being told that you have to sit, uninterested opposition supporters etc. As for TV, terraces not armchairs, innit?

by yuffie Fri Sep 25, 2015 11:37 am

Roman Mike wrote:
yuffie wrote:I don't think anyone is saying we shouldn't - certainly I would expect the players to try and win every game*

It's just a hypothetical discussion on which competition you'd prefer us to do better in this season.

*even the Somerset Premier Cup.

Thanks for explaining :-)

by yuffie Fri Sep 25, 2015 11:43 am

Marc Monitor wrote:Philistines, the lot of you. Yeah, it is a hypothetical question. Like I say, you want to do well in both and, to be fair to the management, they seem to always give both a go. I wonder whether the realisation that you 'only' get £80,000 for getting to the final may change that though. However, the increased crowds and publicity in and around the Trophy run make it worth it.

I have to say that, as someone who knows the need for extra funds in this club as much as anyone, the financial side of it leaves me cold. I hate small clubs switching home ties for away ties for a share of larger gate receipts. Like I say, playing at bigger stadiums is OK but not quite as much fun as is thought - being told where you have to sit, being told that you have to sit, uninterested opposition supporters etc. As for TV, terraces not armchairs, innit?

I think the club as said that the FA Trophy run last season meant that we came as close to not making a loss for a very long time but even had we gone one stage further would probably only have meant making a small overall profit.

Whereas a run to the FA Cup 3rd Round a tie against a top Premier League side - particularly with a televised tie or two thrown in along the way - would potentially clear a fair chunk of the current debt. Maybe to the point that the amount currently raised by the Community Bid team would be enough to take control of the club.

However, I was not considering the financial issues when choosing the Trophy over the Cup.

by Marc Monitor Fri Sep 25, 2015 1:09 pm

Actually I meant to leave you out of my philistines remark, yuffie, even if you were a bit fence sitting in the end.;-)

I am not sure how a big injection of TV cash would affect the Bid and am disinclined presently to try and work it out amongst other variables

by comrade powell Fri Sep 25, 2015 1:12 pm

Marc Monitor wrote:I hate small clubs switching home ties for away ties for a share of larger gate receipts. Like I say, playing at bigger stadiums is OK but not quite as much fun as is thought - being told where you have to sit, being told that you have to sit, uninterested opposition supporters etc. As for TV, terraces not armchairs, innit?

I don't think clubs are allowed to switch the venue these days. But I agree with your other points. The stewards at Barnet did their very best to spoil our celebrations, and Peterborough couldn't have been more unwelcoming. The other side of the coin was evident at Grimsby, who were wonderful hosts. As for ko times being swapped around at will for tv companies, don't get me started. I still have a good moan about missing the Dagenham replay...

by 2weirdtown Fri Sep 25, 2015 1:25 pm

All hypothetical unless we win some matches first.

by BenE Fri Sep 25, 2015 1:41 pm

Marc Monitor wrote: As for TV, terraces not armchairs, innit?

I was talking about the experience of being on the Telly rather than money. I wouldn't stay at home to watch and I suspect nor would any of the core 600 supporters. Being on TV would raise the profile of Bath City immensely. Even among Bath's Rugby loving fraternity.

by Ashley Fri Sep 25, 2015 2:00 pm

Somerset Cup should be the focus of cup competitions. Who wants to go to Old Trafford or Stamford Bridge when you can go to Chard in January.

by Marc Monitor Fri Sep 25, 2015 8:45 pm

I'm with Ashley

by Marc Monitor Sat Sep 26, 2015 12:40 am

BenE wrote:
Marc Monitor wrote: As for TV, terraces not armchairs, innit?

I was talking about the experience of being on the Telly rather than money. I wouldn't stay at home to watch and I suspect nor would any of the core 600 supporters. Being on TV would raise the profile of Bath City immensely. Even among Bath's Rugby loving fraternity.

As a "leading light of the Bid" (or whatever it was) I agree with you. As a supporter, meh.

by Ashley Sat Sep 26, 2015 9:20 pm

I'd like to think that it was fairly obvious I was taking the...

by Marc Monitor Sat Sep 26, 2015 10:38 pm

Yeah, it was.

by Ashley Sat Sep 26, 2015 10:44 pm

Good! You never know on here!

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