They think it fell over: FA Cup needs repairs after excited children topple it off table!!

[mc_squared]

They think it fell over: FA Cup needs repairs after excited children topple it off table

 

By Graham Smith

Last updated at 1:04 PM on 20th February 2009

 

 

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It's the most sought after trophy in British sport, but today the FA Cup is in need of repairs.

The legendary cup was dented after it crashed to the floor at Fratton Park, the ground of current holders Portsmouth FC.

It was balanced on a table on a stage when a group of excited children jumped onto the platform and caused it to topple off.

The trophy suffered significant damage to the rim which is thought to prevent the lid fitting properly.

 

Former Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp holds the FA Cup after his side won the competition last May. The cup was damaged by a group of children recently

Portsmouth, who beat Cardiff 1-0 in last year's final, are due to hand the cup back to the Football Association in the first week of March.

It will then have to be knocked back into shape and repaired before it is handed over to this year's winners.

Portsmouth today played down the damage, claiming it was inevitable the cup would go back to the Football Association with a few dents in it.

Club spokesman Gary Double said the damage occurred during an event at the ground hosted by the FA Cup's sponsors, energy firm E.ON.

He said: 'It always goes back with a few little dents in it. There's a dent in the rim where the lid goes but it does still fit.

'It is just a bit misshapen. It's really not anything huge at all.

'The incident happened at the club but it was a function run by E.ON. Some children jumped on the stage and the cup fell over and hit the floor.

'It will be put back into shape after it goes back to the FA.

'We are not going to apologise for the damage because E.ON were looking after the cup at that time, not us.

'I would say we have looked after the cup well while it's in our hands - there haven't been any other accidents."

It is the second time the FA Cup has taken a battering while in the care of the club.

 

Two stewards stumbled while parading the trophy at Fratton Park ahead of a game against Manchester United game last August. The lid fell off and hit the ground near the entrance to the tunnel.

 

Ironically, Portsmouth had to keep the FA Cup safe from the German bombs during the Second World War after winning the competition in 1939.

 

The trophy was moved from place to place for fear of it being blown up.

Eventually it was sent to The Bird In Hand pub in the Hampshire village of Lovedean where it stayed for the rest of the war in pride of place on top of a radio behind the bar, under the watchful gaze of the landlord.

 

The FA today said a silversmith would hammer out any dents and shine up the cup before it is presented to the next winning team.

 

A spokeswoman said: 'If there are any repairs that need to be done we will do them and Portsmouth will have to pay for that.'

[busybeeburns]

A spokeswoman said: 'If there are any repairs that need to be done we will do them and Portsmouth will have to pay for that.'

Another fine mess handled with sensitivity by the FA :laugh3:

[mc_squared]

I don't think Pompey are in a position to pay for anything at the moment!:rolleyes:

[Black Rose]

Not really :P

 

At least we're still FA Cup champions until May, then it will return to Manchester to join the rest of Sir Al's silver collection