The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON
Trophy Tour 2008-09
The FA and FA Cup Sponsor, E.ON, have joined forces to launch a unique nationwide tour of The FA Cup aimed at giving young fans the chance to sample the history, heritage and magic of the world’s most famous domestic cup competition.
The FA Cup Trophy Tour powered by E.ON will be visiting 50 football clubs in The FA Cup from the First Round in November through to The Final at Wembley in May. The fully interactive experience, lasting approximately 30 minutes, will lead visitors through a fun and engaging journey, reliving the most memorable goals, shock giant-killings and classic Cup Final triumphs from the past 128 years of competition.
The Trophy Tour is aimed at children between seven and eleven years of age, and their families. Taking centre stage will be the opportunity for visitors to walk in the footsteps of FA Cup legends by scoring the winning goal at Wembley in a virtual FA Cup Final, then create their very own piece of history as they get to hold the actual FA Cup trophy.
These magic FA Cup moments will be captured on film and made available for download from
www.FACuptrophytour.co.uk.
The website will also host a great FA Cup competition, with monthly prizes to win tickets to an FA Cup Semi-Final game, as well as the chance to win a place for a child to walk out and accompany The FA Cup onto the pitch at the 2009 FA Cup Final.
Interspersed with interesting energy information, The Tour’s interactive content will also provide an insight into how The FA Cup has evolved on and off the pitch. You'll learn about the first FA Cup game staged under floodlights on 14 September 1955, the most energy efficient ways to travel to matches, and how much energy a modern footballer exudes during a match.
Outside, visitors to the tour can get involved in the action by showing off their skills on the Tour’s mini football pitch. Those who want some competitive fun can try their hand at ‘Power Kick’, a football game where the speed of their kick is measured against the professionals.
Trevor Brooking, The FA’s Director of Football Development, said: “The FA Cup is a great competition and it’s fantastic to know that now, thanks to this new Trophy Tour, thousands of children around the country will be able to learn about its rich history.
"To be able to lift The Cup at Wembley is every child’s dream and they’ll now be able to get that little bit closer to actually doing it. The FA Cup Trophy Tour powered by E.ON really does bring the competition to life.”
Phil Boas, Head of Sponsorship and Events at E.ON, added: “As Sponsor of The FA Cup, we believe that everybody should have the chance to experience the unique appeal of the competition and The FA Cup Trophy Tour powered by E.ON is a great opportunity to do this beyond a match day.
"We hope that as many families as possible will come and see it and help make this season’s FA Cup the best yet.”
For all locations, The FA Cup Trophy Tour powered by E.ON will open at 11am and close at 7pm. During term time, the morning session (11am – 3pm) will be open to local schools, before being made open to the general public.
To gain entry to The FA Cup Trophy Tour powered by E.ON, visitors must pre-register on www.FACuptrophytour.co.uk