I CAN remember watching my first ever FA Cup final 25 years ago as if it was yesterday.
It was the 1987 showdown between plucky underdogs Coventry and cup big-hitters Spurs.
A Keith Houchen diving header and Gary Mabbutt own goal in extra time were the highlights as the Sky Blues recorded a famous win at Wembley.
The following year it was Wimbledon's turn to upset the formbook – the original Crazy Gang beating Liverpool thanks to a Lawrie Sanchez header and Dave Beasant's penalty save.
In 1988/89, the abiding memory is not of the final, but of non-league Sutton United turning over Coventry in the Third Round – surely one of the greatest giant-killings of all time.
It was captivating stuff and I was hooked.
And the Sunday tea-time draws for each round became as exciting as the games themselves.
The 1990s continued in much the same vain – to begin with anyway.
Sir Alex kept his job at Old Trafford thanks to a replay triumph over Crystal Palace after a fantastic six-goal thriller the first time around.
A cup success again eluded Brian Clough a year later as his Forest side lost out to Spurs in a game best remembered for Paul Gascoigne's sickening challenge and ensuing knee injury.
Could the FA Cup – the world's oldest and most famous knockout competition – get any better?
Well, no – it couldn't.
Maybe, I'd grown out of it all, or maybe the arrival of Sky Sports and the Premier League around that time played its part.
But the FA Cup, and especially the finals, of the last 20 years seemed to have merged into one long, dull affair, usually involving Chelsea.
Yes, there was Michael Owen's superb cup-winning double of 2001, along with the 3-3 draw and penalty shoot-out between Liverpool and West Ham in 2006.
But beyond that I'm struggling to recall many of the finals themselves.
As Grimsby Town skipper Craig Disley told the Telegraph this week: "Every kid dreams of playing in the cup final."
I did as well Craig. But I'm not sure youngsters today do.
There are now far more important things in the English game – namely the millions of pounds on offer in the Premier League and Champions League.
At the highest level the dear old FA Cup just can't compete.
And of England's current big four, only the afore-mentioned Chelsea seem to give it the respect it deserves.
Ironically – given the relative lack of money at the top end – the chance to go on a cup run and 'strike it rich' is keeping the magic of the cup alive for the clubs further down the ladder.
The Mariners go into this afternoon's Fourth Qualifying Round clash against Kidderminster with the opportunity to reach tomorrow's First Round draw.
That could see them pitted against Sheffield United, Coventry, Portsmouth or any of the other League One and Two 'giants'.
A nice pay day at Bramall Lane the Ricoh Arena or Fratton Park, or even an upset and the chance to progress further.
One more win and you're into the Third Round when the real big boys enter the fray. That's the holy grail and every non-league side's cup final.
It's not all about the money, though. It's also the memories created along the way, for players and fans.
Town's joint boss Paul Hurst still remembers fondly his – and Rob Scott's – appearance at Anfield in the Third Round of 2001.
Disley, pictured below left, couldn't hide a smile as he described his thrilling run to the quarter-finals with Bristol Rovers in 2008.
And which Mariners fans can forget the run to the Fifth Round in 1989, Harry Haddocks and all?
Supporters are still filled with pride by Town's two semi-final appearances in the 1930s, and the 76,962 spectators who watched them take on Wolves at Old Trafford in the second of those matches.
It matters to the players and managers at this level – and it certainly still means something to the fans.
So maybe the FA Cup hasn't lost its shine quite yet.
