OJM's Reece Lynch says 'Sunday Cup win would be for Oli'

Friday 24 Apr 2015
Striker and captain Reece Lynch in action for OJM in The FA Sunday Cup semi-final
Reece Lynch believes OJM will need no extra motivation for this weekend’s FA Sunday Cup Final – as they’re doing it in memory of a friend.

The Birmingham-based side were formed in 2007 following the death of Oliver James Mee, a close friend of most of their players and whose initials are now the identity of the club.

And as they approach their first ever Sunday Cup Final at Ewood Park, where they will face Liverpool outfit Campfield FC, skipper Lynch has spoken of their ambition to provide another memorial for their absent mate.

Campfield FC v OJM FC

The FA Sunday Cup
The Final
2pm, Sunday 26 April 2015
Ewood Park, Blackburn Rovers FC

"Most teams out there are teams that have got together with no particular reason, it’s just a bit of fun," said Lynch, who will lead the line for OJM on Sunday.

"With the actual reason for our team getting together, the success that we’ve had, it’s good to be part of a team that are doing well because we can say at the end, this is all for Oli.

"All of us are good friends as well, so most of us get together outside of football which also helps.

"It’s very rare that we meet up for training so I think it’s a bit of an achievement that we’ve done so well as a team when really all we do is turn up for the matches."

The Warley District Sunday League side certainly are not short of confidence ahead of their trip from the West Midlands up to East Lancashire.

After progressing through five rounds to reach The Final, Lynch says their belief has grown as they have built momentum in the competition. 

OJM FC were formed in 2007 in memory of friend Oliver James Mee.

OJM were formed in 2007 in memory of a friend

"It still seems a bit surreal," he revealed.

"I think it won’t kick in until we actually get there and until we walk out onto the pitch and have a look around. It’s a proud achievement.

"As the rounds were progressing we could see that we were playing good football and we were playing at the top of our ability and we were thinking: ‘we can win this.’

"There’s probably been that belief from about two rounds ago.

"But without being too confident, I think we were hopeful that we would go far."

OJM are likely to be boosted by the presence in their team of former Aston Villa and England youngster Darious Darkin, who played in The FA Youth Cup Final of 2010.

And Lynch is sure that if they can focus on producing a performance on Sunday, they will have enough to secure The Cup.

"We believe that the only team that’s going to beat us is ourselves," he said. 

"We don’t think that there’s a team out there that, when we’re on our game, will beat us. 

"We need to be on our game, and I think we’ll have it in the bag."

By Nicholas Veevers Content Manager - FA Owned Channels