The FA Cup lost its magic many years ago. Long gone are the days when non-league clubs would battle it out with the big shots, and dream of pulling off the unthinkable.

The dreams have since been replaced with the realisation that the Big Four's reserve teams will hammer the lower-league clubs with relative ease, before being replaced by the first team in the dying stages for the inevitable showdown that decides which of the Big Four will house the trophy for the next 12 months.

This year, however, the FA Cup is back. With all four of the big teams out, and only Portsmouth left to represent the Premier League, the reality is that the FA Cup could very well be housed in a Championship club stadium next year.

'Beating Liverpool and Chelsea to reach the FA Cup semi-final is by far this season's biggest achievement'


Even more spectacular is the fact that whoever wins the trophy will qualify for Europe, which would be an amazing achievement for the likes of Cardiff. West Brom or Barnsley.

The big teams have for too long bored the life out of England's game, claiming every worthwhile trophy every season with the masses of players from their swollen squads they can call upon at will. Life outside the top four has whittled away into a battle for a UEFA Cup spot; finishing fifth has become the new first!

All I can say is thank God for Barnsley! I'm a Leeds United fan, so praising our Yorkshire counterparts doesn't come easy. However, beating Liverpool and Chelsea to reach the FA Cup semi-final is by far this season's biggest achievement.

On paper, Barnsley didn't have a prayer. Liverpool at Anfield is a daunting prospect for Europe's elite, so for little old Barnsley to go there, and show Liverpool what for on their own turf is remarkable. Even more remarkable is beating Chelsea in the next round.

The Liverpool victory could be written off as a fluke, with complacency on Liverpool's part, but Chelsea have no excuse. They saw Barnsley beat Liverpool in the previous round and knew exactly what to expect. The Tykes simply outclassed them, and thoroughly deserve their place in the semis. If they go on to lift the prestigious prize, they'll be the most worthy winners in recent history.

I reluctantly watched last seasons final, expecting a boring game with both teams afraid to make a mistake, and got exactly what I expected. This year will be different, though.

There's a certain buzz around the FA Cup now that three Championship sides have made the semis and legions of neutral fans will be in the pub watching the events unfold. It has created excitement for the first time in years, and perhaps now the FA Cup will regain its magic.

Perhaps other teams will feel more confident when facing the big guns in the future, and maybe, just maybe, the former glory of the FA Cup will be restored.