Thursday, 28 April 2005.
From Wanderers to Wolves. Clapham Rovers to Chelsea. Old Etonians to Everton. The names of the great teams which have won the FA Cup since 1872 bring back memories for football fans of all ages.
And now Mitre, Official Suppliers of The FA Cup Final matchball, are
honouring all 42 winners in the competition’s 133-year history, by naming them on the 2004-05 season’s FA Cup match ball.
The Mitre Verus ball, which surpasses the strictest FIFA design specifications, will be used in Cardiff on 21 May, when Arsenal take on Manchester United.
The ball also pays tribute to Cardiff and the Millennium Stadium, which has been the home of The Final since 2001. The four winners in Wales are picked out on the front and back of the ball around the FA Cup badge with the words "The FA Cup Final in Cardiff - The Millennium Stadium 2001-2005" also
printed.
Mitre Marketing Manager Paul Bell said: "Last season we had a huge response to our Final ball, which listed all 128 clubs left in at the First Round Proper stage.
Naming all the winners is a natural progression from that.
"Fans love nostalgia - and this Mitre ball is a piece of football history."
Look out soon on TheFA.com when we'll be giving you the chance to win one of 100 limited edition, numbered FA Cup Final Mitre Verus balls.
| The Ball Specification |
 |
Super micro fibre construction. The fibres, which are 2500 times finer than a human hair, give the Verus the softest touch ever |
 |
Textured surface for extra control |
 |
Five-ply Cincap lining gives added acceleration upon impact with the boot |
 |
The world’s fastest football – recorded at 114mph |
 |
Every ball identical - produced to exact size and to within 3 grams of perfect weight |
 |
Balanced construction , ensures perfect flight and roll |
 |
Exclusive panel design registered to Mitre, better aerodynamics, less drag |
 |
New graphic design incorporating the new Mitre ‘comet’ brand |
 |
Deep seams allow more air flow regulation |
 |
Players can put more bend on the ball than before |
 |
Goalkeepers get better grip though new micro-texture surface |
 |
Sphericity 30% better than FIFA highest standard |