The Carling Cup: Good for the Game

By Brian Lofrumento | 2nd December 2008

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Some call it the “Mickey Mouse Cup.” Others still call it the “League Cup.” Whatever name it goes by, The Carling Cup is becoming a critical part of football culture. Fans of the bigger clubs may mock this statement, but whether or not you want to admit it, the Carling Cup has now captured some of the classic FA Cup magic. The “magic” that I’m referring to means that on any given day, any team can win; you don’t have to have a 60,000 capacity stadium and your star striker doesn’t have to be worth £30 million.

Instead, the “magic” of these competitions focuses on the small clubs. The clubs whose fans have gone to every game since they were a kid – rain or shine. The clubs who have fought all their lives just to avoid relegation. They aren’t the glory getters, they aren’t the trophy winners, and they certainly aren’t the most glamorous.

If you look at the results of recent Carling Cup finals and FA Cup finals, the evidence is astounding. The FA Cup has been dominated by the Big Four. For proof of this, see how far back you have to go to include three FA Cups where a non-Big Four club won it. I’ll cut to the chase for you – since 1991 only three clubs outside the Big Four have won the FA Cup.

Compare this to the Carling Cup, where in recent years it has become more of a small club magic tournament. If we do the same exercise for this competition, you only need to go back eight years to 2000 to see three non-Big Four club winners (in 2000 it was Leicester over Tranmere in the final). There’s no doubt about it, the smaller clubs have more of a chance in the Carling Cup.

You may be saying to yourself, “that’s great, but it’s because the big clubs play their younger players.” Right there is the essence of the Carling Cup: everyone gets a chance. The smaller clubs get a chance, and the younger players get a chance. It benefits football in general and gives fans a sense of hope (just ask Spurs fans and Juande Ramos!).

I know it’s not the most prestigious competition, but the Carling Cup is gaining an important place in English football. Burnley have already knocked out Arsenal and Chelsea in this year’s competition, and how nice would it be to see them continue the run? Only time will tell if it will happen.

Gregory says:

December 4, 2008 at 12:17 am

So it’s more like March Madness than Major League Baseball? I get it. There’s a Cinderella effect. Fair enough.

Still, if the big clubs don’t take it seriously, I feel like I’m watching a friendly. Are you really a giant-killer if you beat a Big Four team that’s benched its Goliaths in favor of a squad of Davids?

Also, I am perpetually (and respectfully) amazed at the ability of supporters — and Europeans in particular — to follow so many competitions simultaneously. League Play. FA Cup. League Cup. Champions League. UEFA Cup. World Cup. I have trouble keeping track of the Premier League table. Don’t you get tournament fatigue?

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Brian Lofrumento says:

December 3, 2008 at 11:55 pm

Gregory,

It’s not just about winning the entire tournament. It’s about the lesser Premier League teams winning it, about the lower division clubs making a valiant run, and giving fans in general something to cheer about. It’s also about giving youngsters and squad players a good run out (see Manchester United’s starting eleven today). It’s about seeing future England internationals get a chance (Ben Foster today), and much more.

Being an American like yourself, I realize that in the US it’s only about winning. The Atlanta Hawks gained nothing by losing to the Celtics in the playoffs, but in English soccer it’s different. A far run in a tournament gives smaller clubs money, and gives fans a glimmer of hope.

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Gregory says:

December 3, 2008 at 10:29 pm

Last time a non-Premier League team won the League Cup: 1969.

Pre-season online betting odds that non-Premier League team will win it this year: 50-1.

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