The Tanner Report: Fulham 4 Watford 1
Reporting on this victory is secondary to commenting on the decline of the FA Cup in my lifetime.
The year of my birth (1954) witnessed what many consider the greatest game ever played at Craven Cottage – a cup tie with the holders Newcastle United which the latter won 5-4.
The linesman who disallowed a Fulham goal was Jack Taylor, who went on to be the referee in the 1974 World Cup Final.
At school we would gather in a quiet classroom for the draw on Monday lunchtime which would produce at least one tie between an amateur aspirant and a top club.
Fulham once drew Macclesfield and were 2-1 down at half time with cries of “Silk men … Silk men” ringing round the Cottage, but eventually won 4-2.
Alan Weeks – he of the bushy sideburns and sheep skin coat – would normally be drafted in for the third tie broadcast.
Then in 1974 we held Leicester City, with Alan Mullery hitting a superb volley past Peter Shilton.
The following year we reached the Final after the longest journey by any club, much of which I made in my Dad’s red and black Capri, those being Fulham’s Cup run colours.
We shall be celebrating the 50th anniversary of that defeat this May – only Fulham would celebrate a defeat!
After that we reached a Semi-Final in 2000 v Chelsea.
Then the F.A. Cup – unloved by overseas players and not carrying enough financial reward for owners – declined often played at 5-30pm with a below-par team as the later European Finals were deemed more important.
To Fulham fans who started their support in 2000, the Europa Cup Final of 2010 means more than a Cup Final.
Another attraction of Cup football – giant-killing- has died out. Games once regarded at the stuff of giant-killing – e.g. Brighton beating Arsenal, Brentford, Bournemouth or Manchester United are routine and would attract little publicity – and nor would Forest Green beating Leeds.
We were told by Head Coach Marco Silva (ex-Watford) that he takes the Cup seriously, but he still rested Bernd Leno, Antonee Robinson, Tom Cairney Harry Wilson and Raul Jimenez.
We won 4-1.
Fulham’s defenders have not managed to score but last night Joachim Andersen and Tim Castagne did.