Histon v Yeovil Town
The FA Cup Second Round
Bridge Road, Histon
04 December 2004, Kick-Off 1.30pm



Histon played host to The FA Cup on Wednesday 1 December to celebrate their remarkable progress in the world’s most famous domestic cup competition.

The Southern League Premier Division team, celebrating its centenary this year, is preparing for a tough FA Cup Second Round clash with League 2 side Yeovil Town on Saturday.

Captain Neil Andrews said he can’t wait to lead the team out: “We have had a good run so far in the competition including a game early on when we thought we would be out. We went 2-0 down against Redditch but pulled it back to win 3-2.

“We have actually won 13 games on the trot and all the lads are looking forward to try and make that 14. Having The Cup here today has been inspirational. All the fans have really got behind us and I think boosted everyone’s confidence for Saturday. We are going to go out there and enjoy every minute.”

Yeovil, of course, have built an FA Cup pedigree as the most consistent 'Giant Killers' in The FA Cup's history, but a loss against Histon this Saturday could bring a taste of their own medicine. Manager Steve Fallon said: “Yeovil are the original giant-killers but we are in a great habit of winning at the moment. All the lads have worked really hard and I am proud of what we have achieved.”

The FA Cup took pride of place at Bridge Road in the run-up to Histon’s eagerly anticipated FA Cup home game. Before arriving at the club, The Cup took a mini tour of the village, including a visit to two local schools.

Junior schoolchildren learnt about the history of Histon FC and The FA Cup competition from skipper Andrews, who is also Community Coach, Cambridgeshire FA’s Chief Executive Roger Pawley and Development Officer Jim Hill at Impington Junior School in Histon earlier in the afternoon.

A special assembly also unveiled Histon’s new club mascot and FA Cup kit in time for Saturday’s big game. The Cup then returned to Bridge Road for an evening with Histon’s players, supporters and their families. Histon’s success in this season’s FA Cup has already seen the club win £37,000 in prize money - with a further £24,000 up for grabs in the Second Round Proper.

Yeovil Town Manager Gary Johnson said he was looking forward to renewing old acquaintances at Histon: “Histon is very close to where I lived for 15 years and was my local team. I even played for them for a couple of seasons. I have very close links with Histon. Their First Team Coach, John Beck and I took Cambridge to the 6th Round of The FA Cup twice.”

FA Cup fever has swept across Histon, with fans of all ages getting behind the team and urging them to progress even further in the 2004/05 FA Cup competition. Perhaps a visit from the most prestigious cup in world football may provide extra motivation as the club attempt to progress to a potential match against holders Manchester United in the Third Round.