Unknown things about the FA Cup 'Royal final'

In 1871, eight years after the Football Association (FA) was founded and the rules of football were unified, the FA Cup was held for all clubs in the Association, and then became a mass event that the whole country looked forward to. After a period of interruption due to World War I, the first FA Cup final was held again (1923) and showed a huge attraction, with an unimaginable number of spectators.

It was also the first match to be played at Wembley Stadium (then known as the Empire). Initially, organizers feared that the attendance would be low, so they aggressively promoted the match through flyers and newspapers. Little did they know that the sheer number of people who flocked to the stadium would overload train stations, paralyze bus systems, and cause traffic jams on the streets.

Wembley's capacity is around 125,000, but it is estimated that as many as 300,000 people attended. The crowd filled every corner, the roof and the pitch. For God Save The King, the English national anthem was played as King George V arrived, but the match was delayed by 45 minutes as the Royal Cavalry intervened to clear fans from the touchline, and as the teams came out onto the pitch, the choir played Abide with Me. This impromptu moment later became a tradition before FA Cup finals.

Fans packed Wembley Stadium for the 1923 FA Cup final.

One document says that Abide With Me did not appear by accident. It was because the FA secretary wrote to Buckingham Palace asking what King George V liked to hear at the 1923 final, and he replied that it was his and Queen Mary's favourite song, and that the lyrics were appropriate for the post-war context.

Abide With Me was later taken out of the final, but was met with fierce opposition from fans, so it was soon returned. In addition to its familiarity as a tradition, it is also a reminder of the connection between the FA Cup final and the British Royal Family.

The first FA Cup final attended by royalty was in 1914, when King George V attended Crystal Palace, a venue that hosted 20 finals until Wembley replaced it. That year, the two finalists, Burnley and Liverpool, were both from Lancashire, so King George V wore a red Lancashire rose in his buttonhole. It became known as the “Royal Final”.

King George V at Wembley for the 1914 FA Cup Final.

Since then, the FA Cup final has always been attended by a member of the Royal Family. From 1914 to 1970, the King or Queen presented the Cup to the winning team, unless they were abroad or ill. In 1952, when Queen Elizabeth II was unable to attend, Prime Minister Winston Churchill took her place in presenting the winners. In recent years, William, Prince of Wales, who is also President of the FA, has been a regular at the final.

Because of the formal nature of the game, players from both teams cannot be casual. Since the 1950s, they have worn suits and ties and walked around Wembley Stadium before returning to the dressing room to change into their playing kit.

Manchester United are a team that take this very seriously. Last year they reached the final in tailored Paul Smith suits. This year, Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has confirmed that the team will wear suits, while City are yet to confirm. Pep Guardiola's side have controversially worn jeans and polo shirts in their last two finals.

Burnley captain Tommy Boyle receives the Cup from King George V in 1914.

Another special detail of the FA Cup final is that instead of the awards ceremony taking place on the pitch like many other tournaments, at Wembley the winning players will have to go up to the VIP area to receive the Cup and medal. Once again, it is related to the Royal Family, and originated in 1914.

To show respect, Burnley captain Tommy Boyle led his teammates up the steps to the Royal Box, then respectfully received the Cup from the King. There was another reason. Due to the excessive enthusiasm of those years, fans flooding the stadium could cause chaos, endangering the safety of both the players and the Royal Family, so receiving the Cup in the VIP area was the best choice.

It’s the same this year. Crystal Palace and Man City will claim that honour if they win at Wembley in the 144th final of the world’s oldest competition. If they win the Cup, it will be Man City’s eighth (and Pep Guardiola’s third). Crystal Palace, meanwhile, are hoping to taste the FA Cup for the first time after two defeats in 2016 and 1990.

Thanh Hai

Source: https://tienphong.vn/nhung-dieu-chua-biet-ve-tran-chung-ket-hoang-gia-fa-cup-post1742971.tpo