Ware v Sporting Bengal United
The FA Cup, Extra Preliminary Round
Wodson Park
20 August 2005, 3.00pm

When Sporting Bengal United kick off their FA Cup campaign next month they will be making a little bit of Cup history.

Running out to face Ware in the Extra Preliminary Round on 20 August, Sporting will be one of the first Asian sides to appear in the world's greatest domestic cup competition.

It will be a major moment in the 125th year of The FA Cup as Sporting and London APSA, from the Essex Senior League, compete in the Cup for the first time.

Sporting Bengal chairperson Suroth Miah is well aware of the day's importance.

"Our participation in this year's competition is truly a historic moment for the Asian community in this country," he said.

"We want to take the whole community forward by being successful and push Asian players into mainstream football.

"To win this game would be fantastic - we have been drawn home in the next round, and it would be great for the local community to host an FA cup game at Mile End stadium."

Sporting Bengal United was established in 1996 to push forward Asian football in England, and was awarded senior status by The FA in 2003.

Subsequently admitted into the semi-professional Kent Senior League, the side have made giant leaps to challenge the under-representation of Asian youths in mainstream British sports.

This year will see another historic moment as Sporting Bengal, representing the cream of Asian footballing talent, take their FA Cup bow.

The FA’s Ethics and Sports Equity Manager, Lucy Faulkner, said:

“Everybody is aware that some ethnic groups, such as those from an Asian background, are still under-represented in the game, but the progress being made by this club is of tremendous importance.

“It’s another step towards football becoming fully representative of our society, not to mention fantastic new ground for the oldest cup competition in the world.”

TheFA.com will bring you a full match report from Ware v Sporting Bengal United as we follow the winners from each round right through to the Final.