FA Cup Final: Can the Cinderella Story End with a Trophy?

29 June 2025

Once upon a time in English football, where underdogs lace up their boots with dreams and giant-killers dare to tread, a team from the depths of the footballing pyramid dances its way to Wembley. The FA Cup, ah yes — it loves a good Cinderella story. And just like every fairytale worth its magic, we fans are hooked. But here’s the million-dollar question — or should we say, the cup-lifting question:

Can the Cinderella story actually end with a trophy?

Let’s lace this up and see.

The Magic of the FA Cup: Where Dreams Don’t Require a Hollywood Budget

Unlike the glitzy UEFA Champions League or the big-money Premier League, the FA Cup is that whimsical realm where League One battlers can outwit Premier League titans on a rainy Tuesday night. It’s like pitting Frodo against a fire-breathing dragon — and watching Frodo win.

The competition has been around since 1871. It’s the oldest domestic cup competition in the world — seriously, it predates light bulbs in most homes. With such legacy, it’s no wonder the FA Cup holds a special place in every fan’s heart. But what keeps it beating is the unpredictability. That “anyone can beat anyone” vibe? Yeah, the FA Cup breathes it in and exhales chaos.

A Brief Trip Down Upset Lane

Remember Wigan Athletic in 2013? They were tumbling out of the Premier League but still had the audacity to take on Manchester City — a squad worth more than Belgium’s GDP — and beat them. With a last-gasp header, no less. Boom. Cue the waterworks.

Or Lincoln City in 2017? The non-league side reached the quarter-finals. That's like a garage band getting invited to play Glastonbury. It was bonkers. But that’s the FA Cup for you — it’s the Netflix of football drama.

This Year’s Cinderella: Who’s Stealing the Spotlight?

Every season, there’s a team, usually in mismatched kits and with players who probably drive themselves to stadiums, that grabs the spotlight.

Let’s say this season’s surprise package is Grimsby Town. Yep, the Mariners. A name that feels more like a fish-and-chip shop than a football giant slayer. But these lads have done the unthinkable. Beaten higher-tier clubs, stunned crowds, and booked a ticket to Wembley.

The question on everyone’s mind: Can Grimsby go the full fairytale and lift the trophy?

What Makes a Cinderella Run So Special?

It’s not just about smaller clubs winning matches. It’s about everything that comes with it:

- Grit Over Glamour: These clubs don’t have billion-dollar training facilities. They have community volunteers and muddy pitches.
- Working-Class Heroes: Half the squad probably worked part-time jobs not too long ago.
- The Fans: Oh, the fans. These storylines serve the most loyal, scarf-waving fans who follow their team to freezing away days in Stoke and beyond.

It’s David vs Goliath, Rocky Balboa vs Apollo Creed, buttered toast always falling on the clean floor side — rare, but glorious.

The Wembley Stage: Glass Slippers or Cement Boots?

Let’s be real. The FA Cup Final is no charity gala. It’s a proper brawl. A catwalk for elite clubs, but if Cinderella wants to crash the party, she better have more than a fairy godmother backing her.

In front of 90,000 fans at Wembley, nerves can choke. Many underdog stories hit the wall right here. It’s not just the quality of opposition — it’s the pressure, the cameras, the now-real dream.

But dreams don’t get fulfilled by backing down. They get fulfilled by stepping up.

Remember Portsmouth in 2008? Won it all with a lineup that felt like a retirement home for ex-Prem stars — and they still did it. It’s possible.

What Does It Take To Win The FA Cup Final as an Underdog?

Here’s the secret sauce:

1. Tactical Masterclass

Let’s not kid ourselves. You can’t just hoof and hope against the likes of Arsenal or City. You need structure. Tight defensive lines, coordinated pressing, set-piece routines that make mathematicians nod in approval.

2. Moment of Magic

Every Cinderella game has one. A volley from 35 yards. A cheeky chip. A goalkeeper turning into Gandalf — "You shall not pass" style. One moment can tilt the scale.

3. Nerves of Titanium

FA Cup Finals are emotional cauldrons. The underdog must stay icy. One wobble, one mistimed clearance, and it's over. But stay cool, and the dream sticks around longer than expected.

4. The 12th Man

The crowd. When an underdog scores, Wembley erupts like a kettle that’s been on too long. That energy feeds the team. It’s the caffeine in their legs.

Big Clubs Beware: Complacency Kills

Top-tier teams often underestimate smaller sides. It’s like showing up to a boxing match with one glove tied behind your back, thinking, “We got this.” That arrogance often becomes the underdog’s best friend.

In the FA Cup, if you blink, you’re out. And when that happens, Twitter turns into a comedy club.

Would Winning Change Everything?

Short answer: Heck yes.

For clubs outside the top flight, winning the FA Cup can be life-altering.

- Financial Windfall: Prize money, sponsorships, European qualification — it’s basically winning a footballing lottery.
- Recruitment Revolution: You suddenly become an attractive destination. Players, even from upper divisions, take notice.
- Legacy: That open-top bus parade lives forever. The town’s kids start dreaming. The club is etched into history.

For a side like Grimsby Town (or your favorite storybook club), this is more than silverware — it’s immortality.

The Flip Side: What If They Don’t Win?

Even reaching the final brings glory. For clubs who usually battle relegation or mid-table obscurity, the FA Cup run becomes a golden chapter. Plus, you get the whole country behind you. Suddenly, neutrals are chanting your songs and wearing your jersey.

It’s proof that on the right day, with the right fight, you can match the best.

So even if the glass slipper breaks on the Wembley steps… they were still in the ball, baby.

Final Whistle: Can the Cinderella Story End with a Trophy?

Honestly? Yes. It's rare. It's wild. It requires more than just heart — it demands strategy, belief, and a sprinkle of madness. But this is football. Football writes scripts no Hollywood writer could dream of.

The FA Cup doesn’t discriminate. It loves the bold. The brave. The dreamers.

So as Cinderella laces up boots instead of dancing shoes, there’s one thing we know:

If anyone can win against the odds, it’s someone who never stopped believing.