Triangular corner flags in English football
The use of triangular corner flags in English football is a regular occurrence based upon traditional achievements. Tradition holds that only clubs that have won the FA Cup have the right to use triangular corner flags rather than the regular square ones.[1] However this tradition has no basis in The Football Association's (FA) regulations and clubs are free to decide what shape of flags they use.[2]
History
The origin for the tradition is unknown; however, one possible explanation came that
The tradition has no legal basis in the FA's regulations. Indeed, most clubs did not even make an order to start using triangular flags as it was often left up to the club's groundsmen who made the decision.[4] Former English referee David Elleray in his capacity as the technical director of the International Football Association Board stated there is freedom with regard to how clubs chose to select their corner flags.[2] However, newspapers have erroneously asserted that triangular corner flags are a right for FA Cup winners only.[5] Likewise it is a common question in pub quizzes which incorrectly assert the tradition is a right.[6][7]
See also
References
- ^ "Not many lots left, but clocks are set to fetch a premium". South Wales Echo. Archived from the original on 2018-04-14. Retrieved 2018-04-14.
- ^ a b c d e Williams, Jack (2017-02-17). "You Can Tell an F.A. Cup Champion by Its Corner Flags. Or Not". The New York Times. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
- ^ White, Jim (2004-09-04). "FA Cup entry re-ignites the question of who exactly owns Wimbledon's past". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
- ^ "Corner Flags in Football, History and Origins, Size and Shape, Celebrations and Controversies". Football-Stadiums.co.uk. Retrieved 2018-04-09.
- ^ Corrigan, James (5 January 2006). "FA Cup countdown: 1927 and all that". The Independent. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
- ISBN 978-1474604611.
- ISBN 014101556X.