But on paper something very similar is likely to happen as the last three places in The FA’s first-ever “Team of The FA Cup” are up for grabs over the gripping final rounds of this season’s competition.

The Team of The FA Cup will comprise the 11 winners of The FA Cup’s Player of the Round Award which has been running in partnership with UMBRO since the First Qualifying Round.

So far eight players – including four hat-trick heroes - have booked their places in The Team of The FA Cup. They range from Oldham Town’s James Curley, who scored a treble in his side’s 3-2 victory over Liversedge in the First Qualifying Round, through to Liverpool midfielder Bruno Cheyrou, scorer of both goals in his side’s 2-1 win over Newcastle in the Fourth Round Proper.

After every round The FA short-lists three players for The FA Cup Player of the Round award. Fans make the final choice in an on-line vote. The competition has proved immensely popular, with more than 650,000 votes cast to date at TheFA.com.

The Team of The FA Cup will receive VIP treatment at The FA Cup Final and will be honoured on the pitch before the Cardiff crowd.

Trevor Brooking, The FA’s Head of Football Development, said: “The FA Cup is a magical competition. I was lucky enough to play in and win two FA Cup Finals, which included scoring a winning goal in the 1980 Final. By introducing the Player of the Round and the Team of The Cup awards, The FA is acknowledging a number of heroes who this season will have contributed to some great results since the competition began in August.

"I think this is a fitting and positive tribute to these players and I am sure they will have a fantastic day out at the Millennium Stadium in May.”

Brian Flynn, Swansea City manager, added:“ This is a wonderful gesture by The FA, as it gives players in the lower divisions a fantastic opportunity to be recognised for their achievement in this year’s competition, with the added bonus of a special day at the Millennium Stadium.”

Player of the Round and Team of The FA Cup together ensure that outstanding performances by players from small and large clubs alike receive proper recognition and reward from The FA.

In addition to receiving an engraved silver salver and UMBRO training kit, each Player of the Round nominates a local club, school or organisation to which UMBRO donates up to £3,000 worth of equipment.

Eddie May, UK Marketing Manager for UMBRO International, said: “We’re delighted that the Players of the Round are putting the UMBRO equipment to such positive use, enabling people of all ages who play football at grassroots level to benefit from the provision of new kit and equipment.”

Team of The Cup 2003-04

Eight players of the round have been chosen for The Team of The FA Cup to date, following their outstanding performances in previous rounds. Each player has nominated a local school, club or organisation, to which UMBRO has donated  equipment. The line-up is as follows:

1st Qualifying Round

James Curley (Oldham Town)
Hat-trick in 3-2 win over Liversedge.

2nd Qualifying Round

Paddy James (Lymington and New Milton)
Hat-trick in 8-2 win over Clevedon Town.

3rd Qualifying Round

Jeff Minton (Canvey Island)
Match-winning hat-trick in 4-3 win over Dover Athletic from  3-1 down with nine minutes left!

4th Qualifying Round

Steve Guinan (Hereford United)
Hat-trick in 6-1 win over Harrow Borough. Steve was also honoured to make the 4th Round Proper draw, alongside Liverpool legend Ian Rush.

1st Round Proper

Darren Currie (Wycombe Wanderers)
Scored twice in 4-1 win against Swindon Town.

2nd Round Proper

Ashley Sestanovich (Scarborough)
Scored winner in 1-0 giant-killing victory over Port Vale.

3rd Round Proper

Lee Trundle (Swansea City)
Scored twice in 2-1 victory over Macclesfield Town.

4th Round Proper

Bruno Cheyrou (Liverpool)
Scored twice in 2-1 victory over Newcastle United.

On Monday, the latest three nominees for the Player of the Round will be announced on TheFA.com, after this weekend's Fifth Round ties.

If you leave your contact details when you vote for your player, you could win 2 tickets for an FA Cup quarter- final tie of your choice'.

THE FA CUP


TheFA.com is the home of The FA Cup.

You can listen to all the Fifth Round matches this week LIVE here.

You can watch and listen to the Sixth Round draw LIVE here on Monday 16 February.