They are moments that speak to the unusual and cumbersome nature of the under-loved cup competition, but that also serves to highlight what makes it so special and idiosyncratic. However, as an under-served competition with historically over-cluttered match days and little in the way of coverage even from the leagues themselves, the Conti Cup has often gotten lost in the shuffle.
Although the FA has increased its coverage with the cup with select games even airing (for free) on the FA Player, it’s still a competition that lacks detailed stats and data: the football association has reasoned that the money spent on paying for Opta to cover it can, and does, go to more important places.
Predictability
For all the expanded and laborious nature of the Conti Cup, it is a predictable competition that is all too oft squeezed in around more interesting events. Returning in the middle of next week for the quarterfinals, the semifinals will be played a fortnight later and the final slated for the first weekend of March. What is nice is that this is the fifth year the cup final will be on a weekend.
Now in its twelfth season, the Conti Cup has only ever had three winners, and they’re the same three who have won every piece of domestic silverware available to WSL teams since (but not including) 2014. Indeed, had it not being for Liverpool’s WSL titles in 2013 and 2014, you would have to go back to the 2011-12 FA Cup final, when Birmingham City bested Chelsea on penalties, to find a time when Arsenal, Chelsea or Manchester City were not the victors.
Somehow worse still, before the 2019-20 final, only two teams had won the Conti with Chelsea never having made the final before their first triumph. Across the 11 finals so far, only six teams have ever featured, the three victors as well as Bristol City (2020-21), Birmingham City (2011, 2012, 2016) and Lincoln City [who became Notts County] (2013, 2015).
With over 80% of the tournament complete, the question is, once again, if the Conti Cup has outstayed its welcome or if it needs another rejig to maximize its potential?
The Conti Cup will be back on Wednesday for the first three quarterfinals.
