28 March 2006
VIDEO: FA Cup 'Team of Heroes'

We bring you a compilation video of some of the magical moments from The FA Cup to help you choose your 'Team of Heroes'.

7 January 1989
VIDEO: Tony Rains' goal v Coventry

One of the shocks of the competition, and one of Tony Rains' proudest moments. Click on the link to watch his header.


It's the 125th season of The FA Cup, the world's greatest domestic cup competition, and our search for the All-Time FA Cup Team of Heroes is gathering pace.

We continue our detailed look into the contenders to help you decide just who you want in your team - remember the decision about who makes the team is down to you, the fans. You can choose your team by clicking here.

Tony Rains was nominated by Sutton United. Rains was a defender for Conference outfit Sutton when they beat First Division visitors Coventry City in the Third Round in 1989. He scored the opening goal in the 2-1 win and no Non-League side has knocked out top flight opposition since that day.

Tony, how does it feel to be nominated for the FA Cup Team of Heroes?

It is a fantastic honour to be named on the same list as people like Bobby Moore. To be in that company is reward in itself.

Sutton beat Coventry City 2-1 in 1989 and that was a huge shock wasn't it?

Of course it was. Seventeen years on, people still talk about it because it was the last time a Non-League side beat top flight opposition. It is etched in the memory of all the Sutton United players because it is something that we are never going to forget.

What do you remember of your goal?

It was from a set piece that we practiced that morning. It was unlike us to come in for extra training on the day of a match, but such was the magnitude of the fixture we were preparing for!

The goal came from either the first or second corner we had. Micky Stephens clipped it in and it sat up for me to head it goal bound and into the net. It caused great celebrations as I didn't get many goals!

Are you surprised that no Non-League side has beaten top flight opposition since then?

I am surprised, but it is a tough task. The Conference has improved in recent years. The teams are stronger and a lot of the players are full-time.

But then again, the Premiership has also been enhanced with the vast talent that is available. Over the 17 years you would probably have expected some more shocks and there have been a couple of sides who have gone close. Both Burton and Exeter have held Manchester United to draws over the past couple of seasons and Rushden nearly beat Leeds one year.

What are you up to nowadays?

I had been at Sutton United in a coaching capacity for the last nine to 10 years with my brother John as manager.

But a few weeks ago, we agreed to relinquish our positions at the end of the season or when the club got a new manager. They have now appointed someone so we dipped out two weeks ago.

Currently, I am not involved in football. I am just working in my day job as a black cab driver.

It's now down to you, the fans. You can pick your own Team of Heroes from our final list in a 4-3-3 formation until the closing date of midnight on Monday 24 April 2006.

To select your team, click here. You'll need a special FANcode to be able to enter the competition for a chance to win our amazing prize.

Members of englandfans and users of our Video Vault will already have a FANcode, so you can simply log in. If you haven't done so yet, you can register for a code here.