Is Promotion Bigger Than the FA Cup Win? (23 Viewers)

Moff · 2026-04-09T14:57:01+0100

Saw a similar question posted on Facebook, which I couldn’t understand, as for me the FA Cup win will always be our biggest achievement to date, even if/after promotion is secured.

The whole cup run, the excitement in the city and how everyone was behind the club was huge as was the day, the night celebrating after, and the parade the next day were immense.

But……as one of our older generation of supporters I think of fans like my son who is 25 who has seen some success, but at a lower level and just wondered what other fans, certainly ones younger than me (mid 50’s) think?

Skyblueweeman · 2026-04-09T15:03:18+0100

Mid 40s - FA Cup is still bigger, even if the 'specialness' of the Cup has diminished in recent years.

It's a major trophy and we've won it.

Winning the Championship is one of the things ever to happen to the club (top 5) but the FA Cup will always be bigger.

Only winning the EPL will top it (or getting 11th next season and winning the UEFA Conference League the season after ;-))

JAM See · 2026-04-09T15:04:45+0100

No.

Next question.

Macca · 2026-04-09T15:06:50+0100

Same age. I think it is impossible to compare whole different era. Winning the FA cup was incredible, it mattered more then as a competition , football mattered more full stop. However in my 46 years watching City this has got to be the best. Never thought I would see a season where we utterly dominated at this level in front of 30K crowds with such a huge prize at the end.

Macca · 2026-04-09T15:12:13+0100

Skyblueweeman said:
Mid 40s - FA Cup is still bigger, even if the 'specialness' of the Cup has diminished in recent years.

It's a major trophy and we've won it.

Winning the Championship is one of the things ever to happen to the club (top 5) but the FA Cup will always be bigger.

Only winning the EPL will top it (or getting 11th next season and winning the UEFA Conference League the season after ;-))

1 FA Cup
2 Checkatrade

jto123 · 2026-04-09T15:19:00+0100

Starting supporting Cov after FA Cup win. Would prefer that to promotion. It’s a big trophy, an unforgettable day out and Europe. It’s a bigger achievement.

rob9872 · 2026-04-09T15:44:36+0100

The FA Cup when we won it is absolutely bigger. The FA Cup now is a shadow of its former self. Tbh I guess it's situational. For us, going up after 25 years is huge. For Palace winning it last year I guess it was a big thing, but then you had teams with no history like Fulham, Brentford and Bournemouth this year, not going up or down who fielded reserve teams rather than have a go at winning it, simply because the prize for winning the competition pays less than a single extra place higher in the PL.

jto123 · 2026-04-09T15:46:46+0100

rob9872 said:
The FA Cup when we won it is absolutely bigger. The FA Cup now is a shadow of its former self. Tbh I guess it's situational. For us, going up after 25 years is huge. For Palace winning it last year I guess it was a big thing, but then you had teams with no history like Fulham, Brentford and Bournemouth this year, not going up or down who fielded reserve teams rather than have a go at winning it, simply because the prize for winning the competition pays less than a single extra place higher in the PL.

It’s constantly pushed that the FA Cup is not as big now, which is true, but it is still a massive trophy. Look at the wobbler both Liverpool and Arsenal fans threw when they went out of it this week.

fernandopartridge · 2026-04-09T15:48:23+0100

No, it's not. Despite the relative decline of the FA cup, there are still plenty of teams around who have not won it. Whereas, the number of teams that have won the second tier league is bigger.

Sky Blue Pete · 2026-04-09T15:49:26+0100

No but it’s a massive achievement

Calista · 2026-04-09T16:03:48+0100

fernandopartridge said:
No, it's not. Despite the relative decline of the FA cup, there are still plenty of teams around who have not won it. Whereas, the number of teams that have won the second tier league is bigger.

And teams go up and down from the Prem all the time. Just hasn't been us for a quarter of a century.

Skyblueabo1111 · 2026-04-09T16:07:18+0100

With the amount of money involved, yes from me.

shmmeee · 2026-04-09T16:08:41+0100

It’s a no from me

Calista · 2026-04-09T16:24:25+0100

Skyblueabo1111 said:
With the amount of money involved, yes from me.

Surely that's not your idea of what sport is about? Is the money of any value if it doesn't result in achieving things like trophies?

The annual budget doesn't feature on the honours board or go in the sporting record books.

EalingSB · 2026-04-09T16:30:33+0100

I’m 52 and I guess/hope that some/many of a similar vintage have ‘87’ in many user names or passwords (without giving too much away). Football is about trophies and the FA Cup was realistically the most prestigious we could win. Promotion this season will be a generational achievement but it’s not the same as winning the FA Cup when we were competing with and beat the best teams in the country.

Skyblueabo1111 · 2026-04-09T16:32:21+0100

Calista said:
Surely that's not your idea of what sport is about? Is the money of any value if it doesn't result in achieving things like trophies?

The annual budget doesn't feature on the honours board or go in the sporting record books.

I was at the 87 cup final. It was brilliant and the run of games up to the final, excellent, as well. Not just about money, but important part. However, the season has been joyful ( apart from the blip). I have never been so excited about the next game, week on week..the season has been incredible. This will be a far bigger achievement, than the cup final, for me, at least.

Samo · 2026-04-09T16:32:44+0100

Not emotionally, but business wise very much yes.

Otis · 2026-04-09T16:32:47+0100

The thing that makes it different is that, though we played 5 games before actually getting to Wembley, it was all about that one single day, which was such a wondrous affair.

The Championship is obviously over a season, so it's gradual.

Hard to compare the day. All I can say is, that the win in 87 was one of the best ever days of my life.

clint van damme · 2026-04-09T16:37:46+0100

rob9872 said:
The FA Cup when we won it is absolutely bigger. The FA Cup now is a shadow of its former self. Tbh I guess it's situational. For us, going up after 25 years is huge. For Palace winning it last year I guess it was a big thing, but then you had teams with no history like Fulham, Brentford and Bournemouth this year, not going up or down who fielded reserve teams rather than have a go at winning it, simply because the prize for winning the competition pays less than a single extra place higher in the PL.

Heard a Palace fan on the radio the other day saying how much winning the cup had meant to him and his friends and family, and I'd imagine he'd been through a couple of promotions.

Programme was on about times people had been overcome with emotion and wasn't purely about football so I'd say to him, and by the sound of it, those around him, that it was bigger than promotions.

AOM · 2026-04-09T16:42:16+0100

Otis said:
The thing that makes it different is that, though we played 5 games before actually getting to Wembley, it was all about that one single day, which was such a wondrous affair.

The Championship is obviously over a season, so it's gradual.

Hard to compare the day. All I can say is, that the win in 87 was one of the best ever days of my life.

This is why in some ways, I can see why some people would take guaranteed going up via the play offs rather than automatics as it all rides on one match rather than knowing your fate for a while

skybluelee · 2026-04-09T16:43:32+0100

1) 1987 FAC win
2) 25/26 Tier 2 champions*
3) 66/67 Tier 2 champions
4) 2024 FAC final**

This year over 66/67 for me due to parachute payments distorting the playing field.

*tbc
**incredible achievement as a Tier 2 side to come from 3-0 down to beat a PL side 4-3. Selfless as well to allow Man U to play in the final in our rightful place.

play_in_skyblue_stripes · 2026-04-09T16:48:21+0100

If we get promotion it will be a massive achievement and make me incredibly happy and proud.

However FA Cup win in 87 counts as a major trophy and done in incredible style too.

Ccfcisparks · 2026-04-09T16:48:35+0100

As someone who's born just before the turn of the millenium promotion is the biggest thing to have happened to my club in my lifetime.

Otis · 2026-04-09T17:03:34+0100

AOM said:
This is why in some ways, I can see why some people would take guaranteed going up via the play offs rather than automatics as it all rides on one match rather than knowing your fate for a while

Much more instant gratification for sure.

Colin Steins Smile · 2026-04-09T17:17:14+0100

The FA cup in '87 had far greater value than today. It was really valued throughout English football. If Hysel had not happened we would have been in the UEFA Cup Winners Cup.
The achievement of a top 6 finish under Noel Cantwell in Division 1 is very significant, as we qualified for the UEFA Fairs Cup....the closest equivalent today would be the Europa League.
My take on level of achievement in footballing terms is:
1. FA Cup '87
2. Top 6 in Div 1 in 1970 to qualify for EUFA Fairs Cup.
3. Winning Championship in '26
4. Winning Div 2 in '67.

On business terms:
1. Winning Championship in '26...there is nothing of similar value!

stupot07 · 2026-04-09T17:41:42+0100

The FA Cup was a massive success, especially given how the FA Cup was viewed back then, however we were an established top flight team ahead finished 10th only 7 points of a European place so we were a good side, but after 25 years in the leagues, going into admin, being relegated and struggle in the championship for years, nearly going into admin, being relegated and struggling in league one for years, having shit owners going into admin, getting relegated and playing in league two, having two stints at being homeless, crawling out way back up the leagues, and finally on the verge of promotion, with the massive gulf that now exists between the EFL and the PL and the huge windfall this will be to the club. This is much much bigger.

bigfatronssba · 2026-04-09T17:47:40+0100

No it’s not.

However, I think given the circumstances, promotion is a bigger achievement

Calista · 2026-04-09T18:00:04+0100

Otis said:
The thing that makes it different is that, though we played 5 games before actually getting to Wembley, it was all about that one single day, which was such a wondrous affair.

The Championship is obviously over a season, so it's gradual.

Hard to compare the day. All I can say is, that the win in 87 was one of the best ever days of my life.

The whole run was magical though, building and building. The quarter final and semi at Hillsborough were both unforgettable days.

Otis · 2026-04-09T18:02:39+0100

Calista said:
The whole run was magical though, building and building. The quarter final and semi at Hillsborough were both unforgettable days.

For some reason I enjoyed the quarter final more than the semi final.

Calista · 2026-04-09T18:08:21+0100

stupot07 said:
The FA Cup was a massive success, especially given how the FA Cup was viewed back then

And the sheer magic and rarity of appearances at the old Wembley with the twin towers (even if it was in reality crumbling,). The modern Wembley can't touch it for romance, especially as its used so much for club football at the end of every season.

Moff · 2026-04-09T18:08:51+0100

Otis said:
The thing that makes it different is that, though we played 5 games before actually getting to Wembley, it was all about that one single day, which was such a wondrous affair.

The Championship is obviously over a season, so it's gradual.

Hard to compare the day. All I can say is, that the win in 87 was one of the best ever days of my life.

Great post Otis….it was for me too…I went with my sadly long departed Dad, and I have some memories of that day with him that will never be forgotten, and put a smile on my face and a tear in my eye.

Moff · 2026-04-09T18:10:09+0100

Otis said:
For some reason I enjoyed the quarter final more than the semi final.

My favourite game of that run, great result, great game, Leppings lane end full of 14,000 fans and the excitement of our first FA Cup semi final to come!

Hybridtheory · 2026-04-09T18:23:30+0100

I'd agree with winning something. I don't think if I were a Wigan fan I'd trade that cup final win for an extra ten years of mediocre PL finishes

Kilclines curly mullet · 2026-04-09T18:38:43+0100

I was at the final.

I personally think promotion is a bigger achievement

The journey we have been on over the past 10 years, the issues on and off the pitch was huge.

Also, it’s being the best over 46 games, the cup run was achieved over 7 games while playing clubs below us or at the same level.

Alkhen · 2026-04-09T18:41:31+0100

It's all relative to where you are at at the time I guess. I mean I enjoyed the Checkatrade after decades of crap to be honest.

Playoff win was an amazing day and even winning the league in COVID was surreally special

I was 5 when we won the FA cup so got that second hand.

This could set the club up for years though if we are smart about it, so probably more important in the grand scheme of things.

Is Promotion Bigger Than the FA Cup Win? (23 Viewers)

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