The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON
First Qualifying Round
Saturday 16 September 2006, 3pm
Winning clubs recieve £2,250



Westfields chief executive Andrew Morris is hoping to mark the club's 40th anniversary with a dream FA Cup run - having been a founder member of the Herefordshire club way back in 1966.

Morris was one of a gang of friends who were inspired by England's World Cup triumph that year and within a few months had set up their own club.

Now, 40 years later, Westfields have a shiny £250,000 stadium that was funded in part by the Football Foundation and take on Belper Town in the First Qualifying Round of The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON.

And Morris is dreaming the club can remain in the competition as far as the official anniversary on 14 November.

"To still be in the FA Cup at that stage would be a dream, but last year we were in the Midland Alliance league with Chasetown and they went all the way to the First Round proper - so why can't it be us this season?" he said.

"We have come so far in 40 years it is amazing. I was a founder member of the club at the age of 16 and I used to be the goalkeeper. Since then I have been the manager, secretary and chief executive so it always keeps me busy.

"I even chose our colours, which are claret and blue like West Ham, because back in 1966 it was all about Bobby Moore, Trevor Brooking and Martin Peters who were the famous players.

"So it was really good when Trevor Brooking came down to open our new stadium a couple of years ago, just 50 yards away from where we first started as a group of boys."

Westfields recorded an impressive 3-0 win over Racing Club Warwick in the last round of the FA Cup and are now looking for revenge when they play Belper this weekend.

"Belper beat us 2-1 at our place last season in the FA Cup, so we are hoping to get our own back at their ground this time," added Morris.

"We've maintained our club record of never losing our first FA Cup game of the season, but we have been a bit topsy-turvy this year and we know it will be tough on Saturday."