Quote Originally Posted by SithHappens View Post
Without a doubt it has.

There are a number of reasons, 1. The removal of the cup winners cup, this was always the '2nd' competition in europe before they merged it with the europa leage (or uefa cup as was).
2. Big teams putting out 2nd string teams (probably to do with number 1., at least in some respect and some the money introduced with the creation of the premier league, making it more important to finish 12th than have a cup run)
3. Man Utd not even bothering one year.
4. Possibly also the watering down of the value of a wembley appearance with games like play offs now played there, it doesnt have the prestige it once did. (Also semi finals played there which remains a ludicrous decision imo)

The cup was massive when i was growing up, coverage on the day flicking between itv and bbc from early morning to kick off. It was almost as big as the league in some respects as had the glamour of playing at wembley.

As it gets to the closing stages i think it comes alive some (and does certainly also for smaller teams in the initial rounds especially if a big club is coming to town), but for me id struggle to tell you who won last year yet when i was growing up in the 70's and 80's i could name every winner (and still can).
Go on then Sith, every winner from the 70s and 80s... And no googling