Magic of the Cup is back in earnest

PETER CROUCH began the season being booed onto the pitch by England supporters.

He hopes to end it with an FA Cup final medal today before flying off for the chance of even greater glory as an established member of Sven-Goran Eriksson’s World Cup squad.

If anyone epitomised the fluctuating and fickle nature of the world’s most popular game then it is the 6ft 7ins Liverpool striker If anything epitomised its enduring appeal, however, it is the FA Cup final.