The FA Cup has been massively devalued since they decided to host the semi's at Wembley,

That is a factor but for me the biggest one is that it's no longer a priority for the top flight clubs. The ones at the top of the League are chasing honours that are perceived 'bigger' the ones in the bottom half are desperate to keep that top flight status and the financial rewards that brings. The FA Cup is a game some of them would rather not bother with. I remember when we beat Stoke a few years ago, they made about 8 changes and give the distinct impression that they couldn't really give a fuck. That devalues the competition more than the Semi Final venue.

For the small club though I.e us, the romance is well and truly there. Look back at 9800 fans travelling to Sunderland and tell me there is no romance in the cup. If wed drew a huge club in round 3 or a derby match then how many people would have been excited about it. There certainly isn't any romance when you draw Barnsley but the likes of man utd would have had the town buzzing and all eyes would have been on the Coventry game alot more than they will be come the 17th. If the likes of Man U or Liverpool want to rest players, well im sorry but that wouldn't ruin my day out. Id love to see pools grace one of the big clubs grounds and in guessing the vast majority would too

Had we drawn Barnsley in the 3rd round of the cup 20 years ago we 'd have taken a couple of thousand fans to Oakwell as then the 3rd Round of the cup was a big deal if we get through the replay we'll fetch a few hundred at best. You can still get good draws and visit big grounds but it clearly isn't the same as it was.

I wish 99% of our fans were as deluded as RB, just a sprinkling of his passion passed onto the moaners, the it was better years ago crew, the it will never be the same mob, give him his due, he wears his heart on his sleeve and I for one wish we had a cup run, don`t care if it`s a shit draw, home or away, rejoice and look forward you black cloud hovering above head types

Round about 1985 I actually listened to the FA cup final on French radio on a friggin' local station. It was Everton I think against someone.
When did anyone last listen to the French/German/Italian cup final live on UK radio, watch it on telly, or even know who was playing?

I totally see your point but for the 1970s crowd the Manchester City hurt still hasn't gone away!

I listened to that final in '85 on the radio in France! But I did it on my car radio, just about picking up the reception on the BBC. We had looked around the campsite we were staying on in the Vendee region, to see if we could find it being shown anywhere live, but no luck. The someone was Man U. Norman Whiteside scored the winner in extra time, and Kevin Moran was sent off, the first player to be dismissed in a FA Cup Final.