FA Cup Player of Round

The FA, in partnership with UMBRO and TheFA.com, has launched an exciting new 'Player of the Round' award scheme, giving fans the chance to back their boys on and off the pitch.

The winning player of the round will receive up to £3000 worth of UMBRO football kit and equipment for the school, club or organisation of his choice - so fans will want to make sure their favourites clock up plenty of votes!

As the road to the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff gradually unwinds, the FA Cup Player of the Round competition will run in 11 rounds right through to the semi-final stage in April.

FA partner UMBRO will provide a total of £15,000 worth of kit and equipment. In addition, each player of the round will receive a trophy to recognise his achievement. 

"Every year the FA Cup underlines its status as the greatest domestic knock-out competition in the world - full of drama, tension and inevitably the odd upset when match favourites come unstuck against the underdogs," says The FA's Chief Executive, Mark Palios.

"It's a competition which invariably throws up heroes and villains - and we're pleased we can add to the excitement by giving supporters a chance to highlight some of their heroes round by round."

A shortlist of three nominees is selected by The FA on the Monday morning after after each Round. Fans can then vote on-line for the player they feel should win the prestigious award by visiting www.thefa.com. We announce the winner on the Friday afternoon.

Eddie May, UK marketing manager for UMBRO International, said:

"The FA Cup is one of the most famous sporting competitions in the world. It connects football together at every level, offering teams and players a chance of glory from the first qualifying round through to the final, and we're delighted to be associated with it.

"This new player of the round initiative allows UMBRO to recognise the performance of individual players at every stage of the competition. Crucially, it also gives us the opportunity to help the development of football at the grass roots by donating £15,000 worth of kit to football causes up and down the country."

The winners so far are:

FAC1Q Player of The Round: James Curley - Oldham Town
FAC2Q Player of The Round: Paddy James - Lymington and New Milton
FAC3Q Player of The Round: Jeff MInton - Canvey Island
FAC4Q Player of The Round: Steve Guinan - Hereford United
FAC1 Player of The Round: Darren Currie - Wycombe
FAC2 Player of The Round: Andy Sestanovich - Scarborough
FAC3 Player of The Round: Lee Trundle - Swansea