SUNDAY FINAL IS POPULAR AS EVER
MUCH is at stake at Stoke City at 2.00pm this afternoon when Home Bargains take on Trooper to decide the nations’ Sunday best.
It is a Merseyside v Midlands clash to determine the top dog in the FA Sunday Cup – a clash expected to draw a crowd of around 1,500, the fourth year in succession that the final will have attracted a four-figure attendance.
The competition had 124 entrants, up from the previous season’s 86, featuring exotically named outfits such as Sky Lounge United, Pineapple and Station Hotel FC.
The quality of play and the professional approach of the teams might come as a surprise, especially in the latter stages.
Managers of the finalists have been known to deliver each player an itinerary for the day with advice on sleep, nutrition and liquid intake to avoid de-hydration.
Merseyside is a hot bed of Sunday football with the Home Bargains boss Brian Moogan – a former Everton YTS who played alongsidwe Wayne Rooney – admitting: “It’s a competition that is always at the back of your mind as a Liverpool Sunday club and I’ve got friends who’ve won it with local teams Oyster Martyrs and Campfield!
Both managers regard team selection as giving them the most headaches, Trooper’s Jordan Moss exclaims: “They are all your mates until Sunday when I drop someone and then I get messages and phone calls on the Monday!
“But I’ve worked a lot on togetherness, getting it all to gel. We go back for some food and a drink after matches and I want all the lads to attend.”
The Home Bargains boss Moogan adds: “You can only pick 18 and I’ve had to tell friends that they are not even getting a shirt! That’s been really tough.”
To reach the final both teams have needed to successfully navigate six rounds. In the semi-finals, on neutral grounds, Trooper saw off the challenge of AFC Hackleton at Northampton Town, while Home Bargains got the better of Highgate Albion at Kidderminster Harriers.
Today’s contest promises to be an entertaining affair with both sides keen to get the ball down and play. They have a lot to live up to. Last season’s final saw St Joseph’s (Luton) defeat Liverpool’s Aigburth Arms in a 3-2 thriller at Pride Park, home of Derby County.
Sunday football was only recognised by The FA in 1965, prior to which many played under assumed names to avoid disciplinary action.
Today is the 58th final and it is reflective of its status nowadays that The FA Chair Debbie Hewitt will attend and present the cup and medals.