The FA Cup Final scheduled for 30th May is an institution. The game is shown on TV around the world.
When I was a student in France in 1970, I watched the Cup Final on French TV. 1-1 after 90 minutes and I settled down for extra time. But no, it could not happen, French TV had not counted on extra time and just went on with their scheduled programme!

THRILLS FROM THE PAST:
1953, the great Stanley Matthews final when he dribbled round Bolton’s Tommy Banks all day and Banks never fouled him. If that had been today!
1981, The Tottenham Hotspur supporters celebrated Ossie Ardiles leading them to a Cup Final in the 80s with, “Ossie’s on his way to Wembley his knees have gone all trembley!”
2005, Manchester United completely outplaying Arsenal for 120 minutes and then losing on penalties.
2008, Last year Portsmouth winning the cup for the second time - 69 years after the first!

What is it like to play in the Cup Final? Gavin Peacock, best known as a Match of the Day pundit, experienced it in 1994 with Chelsea. It was the first time Chelsea had been in a Cup Final for 27 years. The semi-final against Luton had also been at Wembley and Gavin scored twice as Chelsea won 2-0.

’Obviously playing in the Cup Final is the culmination of six months hard work in cup games and everyone’s dream to get there. It was a tremendous experience to play at Wembley and I loved every minute. In the first half we were doing well and at one stage, I got hold of the ball, outside the box, knocked it onto my left foot and hit it. I thought this is going in. It dipped over United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel’s hand and hit the bar,’
‘Just to play in the Cup Final, was great for me even if I did not win it. But then you play in it and it’s gone. If that is just what you are hanging your hopes on, any success is just momentary.’

When his mother started going to church Gavin went along too to see what it was all about. After a bit he was convinced and became a believer. He has carried his faith into his football career.

’You have got to keep a level head. If you do get carried away, football throws you from one extreme to another. Within a week you could be up at the top doing well, then two games later, the next weekend, you’ve dropped a few places, you might be out of the team, so you do have to maintain a level head about it. And of course, my faith helps me in that respect. With my faith I think that God gives me my self-worth, so I am a Christian first and then I am a footballer.’

Gavin will be one of the millions around the world watching it on TV as he is now studying theology in Canada. How would you change your life? Jesus’ life broke all the rules. He re-invented what it is to be human. Jesus’ life was not meant to be a one-off. It was meant to be a fresh start for everyone.


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