This weekend sees 48 small-sided teams head to the hallowed turf of Wembley to contest this year’s FA UMBRO Fives competition.
Both men’s and women’s teams from all across the country will be there on Sunday, as The FA throws open the doors of one of the world’s greatest stadiums to grassroots footballers and provide them with a day like no other!
All the players will have the experience of preparing in the Wembley dressing rooms before lining up in the famous players’ tunnel and running out onto the pitch.
Last year’s winners were MDU (pictured left) and they are back this time after qualifying from the London South region, no doubt hoping to retain their title.
Their opponents in the Final last year were Liberties and they too are back again, looking to go one step further this time.
In the women’s competition it is expected to be highly competitive, with many of the teams drawing their players from the highest levels of the female game.
Over 1700 five-a-side teams entered the competition from the start, progressing through a series of regional qualifiers before sealing their place in the Finals.
As well as that, eight teams who were knocked out earlier in the competition were drawn out at random to take part in the Finals as part of the ‘Lucky Losers’ and they get their second chance of glory!
Whilst everyone involved will have a great day, only the winners will have the opportunity to win the competition under the Wembley floodlights, walk the steps up to the Royal Box and do what every football fan dreams of – lift a big silver trophy over their heads and wave it at their fans.
The teams in this year’s Finals are as follows:-
Group A
Ipswich Ladies
Liver Birds
Ladies First
Team Barcode
Group B
Barnet Ladies
Osmosis
Doncaster Rovers Belles
Bournemouth Ladies
Group C
Genesis
Top Ballerz
Jonathan Elkin
White Dogs
Group D
Galacticos
GJSS
BACCA
Portsea Youth Men’s Club
Group E
MDU
Neptune
Libyan Stars
Carnation
Group F
INKO Team FC
Garrison Celtic
Nirankari
Mighty Sowetto
Group G
UN
Lakeside Athletic
Brum City Stars
Samsan Sports
Group H
Liberties
Galacticos DC
Corinthians
Longlands
Group I
No Pace United
Swann & Salmon B
Ummah United
Roe-naldo FC
Group J
West Hill
Unicorns
O.Ds
AFC Biffage