The Zenith Data Systems Cup

[kevinyahoo100]

Hi there,

I'm writing an article about the Zenith/Simod/Full Members Cup and I wanted to get the fans' views on it (the ones who can remember it, obviously). As a side that lost two finals, Everton fans are better equipped than most to discuss this cup. Obviously, we look back on it now a bit of a Mickey Mouse competition, but what did it feel like the time? How did reaching the final compare to other successes? How much did you care?

As I'm sure you know the competition was created when English clubs were kicked out of Europe. But could it even remotely fill that void?

If you have any memories or opinions on the Full Members Cup, please share them here!

I'd want to use some of the your quotes for the article, which will appear on the Yahoo Football website next week. So if you don't want your comments to be used then let me know, and they won't be. All quotes will be credited to this site.

Some of you may recall I already used your knowledge and witty opinions once before for this article on Joe-Max Moore: https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/blast-past-joe-max-moore-102417900.html

And there's another about Daniel Amokachi on its way!

Cheers!

Kevin

 

[The Esk]

This has been approved by @GrandOldTeam on the basis that any contributions from GOT members are correctly attributed and with a link back to www.grandoldteam.com

 

[Eric Djemba-Djemba]

Another reminder of failure.

 

[nsno-chris]

I remember Mark Bright battering Martin Keown in the final that we lost, I hated him after that. Keowns head was covered in blood; the actual cup was a complete waste of time

 

[Billy Dean]

I remember Garry Parker running all the way from South London into our area to score one goal. I think we lost 5-4 or something

 

[neil999]

the palace final was the first time i remember everton causing me actual pain, listening on the radio..awful it was

 

[neil999]

how was it different to the league cup btw?

 

[BoysInBlue]

how was it different to the league cup btw?

Far less people attended the matches.
The 'big teams' (the ones with lots of money) didn't participate.
None of the matches nor the final were shown on terrestrial tv (a big deal in the late 80s/early 90s, as not as many had Sky, which showed the competition, pre-PL).
The competition itself was akin to the modern day Johnstone Paints trophy, with 2-legged regional area finals before you reached the ground final.
I remember we had to beat Leeds over 2 legs in late 1990/1991 to reach the final vs Palace. The Leeds games were on the BSB Sports Channel, which Sky had just bought and eventually turned into Sky Sports.

 

[neil999]

they should have had the combined teams trophy, everyone chooses a partner team and you field a combined team

evervilla vs liversea

 

[BoysInBlue]

I remember Garry Parker running all the way from South London into our area to score one goal. I think we lost 5-4 or something

Not as good as that - we lost 4-1 vs Palace in 1991.

2 years earlier, we'd lost the Simod Cup Final (same competition, different sponsor) to Notts Forest 4-3.

 

[jaybx1878]

I went to both the finals but no one was really bothered about these competitions, i remember Southall refused to go up and get his runners up medal against Palace.

 

[Deggo]

I saw Graeme Sharp score his first hatrick for the club in the full members cup v Newcastle and Neville Southall score a penalty in the shoot out v charlton

Went to both with not really caring about the outcome just more visits to wembley

Shocking competition

 

[ijjysmith]

How do you even lose 4-1 after extra time?!?!

 

[neil999]

How do you even lose 4-1 after extra time?!?!

everton

 

[nikom court]

beating Blackburn away 4-1,cos it was a new ground at the time,
milwall at home lowest attendance for a senior game,i think only the gladys st and main stand were open.
the finals were crap,
cant remember much else