The Football Association v the Football League: using the Football League Cup as a window for exploration

This essay suggests that the Football League Cup was introduced as part of a wider social policy to challenge the Football Association’s position in power. Testing the figurational perspective, and using the Football League Cup as a window for exploration, it attempts to investigate the dynamic power relationship between the Football Association (FA) and the Football League. Documentary analysis was the chosen research method for investigation. Making a systematic analysis of FA minutes and literature available at the FA headquarters in Soho, London, the essay contradicts the claim made by some scholars that the Football League Cup is ‘pointless’ or ‘worthless’. It argues that despite various attempts through history to challenge the FA, it still, formally speaking, remains the leading authority for football in the UK.