@FootynewsTwo knockout trophies run side by side in England, and the younger one has the stranger backstory. The Carabao Cup launched in 1960 as the League Cup, and it came out of a calendar shake-up the clubs ended up voting down. The reform died. The tournament didn't, and it hung around until it was just part of the furniture. Its field is the full 92 clubs from the four professional English divisions, and fixtures mostly sit midweek. Basically the whole pro pyramid in one draw. The FA CUP is a different beast. It goes back to 1871 and holds the title of oldest cup competition anywhere, and with clubs from various divisions in the mix, a modest side can send a Premier League giant packing and write some history. So the FA CUP is the thread running through the whole English football system, and the Carabao Cup pulls the 92 professional clubs into one bracket. Spain has the Copa del Rey, Germany has the DFB-Pokal, and neither of them does this double act. Two trophies, two completely different jobs.

@FootynewsTwo knockout trophies run side by side in England, and the younger one has the stranger backstory. The Carabao Cup launched in 1960 as the League Cup, and it came out of a calendar shake-up the clubs ended up voting down. The reform died. The tournament didn't, and it hung around until it was just part of the furniture. Its field is the full 92 clubs from the four professional English divisions, and fixtures mostly sit midweek. Basically the whole pro pyramid in one draw. The FA CUP is a different beast. It goes back to 1871 and holds the title of oldest cup competition anywhere, and with clubs from various divisions in the mix, a modest side can send a Premier League giant packing and write some history. So the FA CUP is the thread running through the whole English football system, and the Carabao Cup pulls the 92 professional clubs into one bracket. Spain has the Copa del Rey, Germany has the DFB-Pokal, and neither of them does this double act. Two trophies, two completely different jobs.