Young’s catchy numbers
It’s the biggest mismatch in FA Cup history and it has captured the heart of the nation. Marine, a side managed by a man who combines non-League management with working for Merseyrail, are hoping to produce the greatest upset ever at their humble Rossett Park ground. Neil Young, the Marine boss, will hope his heroes, including a teacher, a binman, a student and an apprentice plumber, can outgun a team featuring some of the best-known and highestpaid sportsmen in the world.
161 Little Marine are sixth in the Northern Premier League Division One North West. Mighty Tottenham are fourth in the Premier League. And that means there is a colossal 161 places between the clubs, the greatest gulf between two teams at this stage of the competition in FA Cup history.
£1,750 That’s Marine’s weekly wage bill. To put that into context, Gareth Bale earns that amount every 35 minutes.
£83,000Marine were delighted to receive a cheque for that amount to improve their ground in 2019 — the same year that Tottenham were enjoying a few ground improvements of their own, namely moving into their palatial new £500million home.
1993 That was the last time Marine reached the FA Cup third round. Since then Tottenham have reached eight semi-finals — and a Champions League final.