Chairman to line up for Magpies XI in commemorative Generation Cup

Maidenhead United are to be represented in a special tournament to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the FA Cup.

No football club has a longer history in the competition than Maidenhead United and this season, alongside their participation in the main event, they’ll also play against eight other teams in the Generation Cup.

The competition features clubs that can trace their history back to the earliest days of the competition, Crystal Palace, Hitchin Town, Upton Park FC, Reigate Priory FC, the Royal Engineers, Civil Service, The Wanderers FC and Clapham Rovers. Maidenhead

hosted one of the first four FA Cup ties ever played when the Magpies defeated old foes Marlow at York Road on November 11, 1871.

The Magpies XI will take part in two matches at Hitchin Town FC on Sunday, October 31, kicking off against hosts Hitchin at 11am before going toeto-toe against a Crystal Palace XI at 12.30pm.

The Premier League Eagles can also trace their history back to the 1800s and defeated Maidenhead in the very next round in 1871 following their victory over Marlow. The matches at Top

Field, Hitchin will be open to the public and a commemorative programme is being produced.

Clubs have been invited to enter a squad of up to 24 players for the Generation Cup, with no more than five players under 40 and at least three players aged over 50 on the pitch at all times. The Magpies team is set to include chairman Peter Griffin, several ex-players and members of the academy squad.

Should the Magpies progress from the group stage, the finals will take place on March 13, 2022, on the elite pitch at St George’s Park. The winning team will also get to hold aloft a commemorative trophy which has been purchased for the occasion.

Magpies Chairman Peter Griffin said: "It is of course a ‘no-brainer’ that a Maidenhead United team should enter The Generation Cup to celebrate 150 years of the FA Cup. We are looking forward to taking part in what sounds like a really fun event.”

Peter and the Squad are still keen to recruit additional talent in the over-40 bracket.

Any Magpies supporters and exMaidenhead United players looking to be involved are most welcome to get in touch with secretary@maidenheadunitedfc.org