Representatives from UK Flooring and Nicosia were invited to Anfield this week (Wednesday, April 14) to tour the stadium and discuss arrangements for the final of the nation’s flagship Sunday League football competition to be played on Sunday, April 25.
UK Flooring, who play in the Bristol & District Sunday League, have reached the 40th anniversary final in their debut season in the competition, whilst Liverpool Business Houses Sunday League side Nicosia are previous winners of the prestigious silverware.
Nicosia, who won The FA Sunday Cup in 1991, will occupy the home team dressing room for the final. Supporters of both sides will be seated in the famous Kop Stand.
Lee Madin, assistant manager of Nicosia, was at the meeting along with secretary Alan Hunter and committee members Paul Foulkes, Ian Wild and Terry Williams.
Ian Wild was a member of Nicosia’s FA Sunday Cup winning side of 1991 and scored two of the goals.
Lee Madin captained that side, which also featured current manager Joe Gibiliru who is still a member of the playing squad along with their sons Lee Madin Jnr and Joe Gibiliru Jnr.
Lee Jnr, aged 21, was the club mascot at the final in 1991. The mascots for this season’s final will be Alex Gibiliru, aged 10 and youngest son of Joe Snr.
Lee Snr said: ‘Nicosia has always been a family club and it’s fantastic for Joe and myself to have the chance to win The FA Sunday Cup again and this time with our sons Lee and Joe.
‘My main memory of winning it in 1991 was the total elation of going up to collect the trophy as captain on the day.
‘We thought our chance had gone to play at Anfield in the final when it was held here last season so it’s a dream come true.
After Allerton’s disappointment of losing the final last season, we are hoping to win it for Liverpool and for our League.’
John Harris, manager of UK Flooring, was joined by his assistant Andy Mathias, captain Nicky Olu, players David Lee and Andrew Gibson, and kit man Gerry Holmes.
UK Flooring’s mascot at the final will be Daniel Dempsey, aged four, the son of player Paul Dempsey.
John said: ‘It’s been an unbelievable journey for us in the competition and Anfield is a great final destination.
‘Coming to Anfield has hit home how big this cup is and what we achieved to get here.
‘It’s not that often a team from Bristol ever achieves anything like this so we are going to do as much as we can on the pitch and hope that local people will come and support us.’
As both sides look forward to playing on such a big stage, The FA has announced that the entry criteria for next season’s competition has been reviewed.
A spokesperson for The FA said: ‘Due to the continued success of The FA Sunday Cup, the decision has been taken to alter the entry requirements to give more clubs the opportunity to compete and to have the chance of reaching such a prestigious final.
‘The final will again be played at a leading ground next season before making its debut at Wembley when the new stadium is due to be completed in 2006.’
The change in criteria means that the competition will be open to clubs in the higher divisions of their Sunday League as opposed to just the top divisions. The closing date for entries for 2004-05 has also been extended by one month to August 1, 2004.
Clubs interested in entering The FA Sunday Cup are asked to contact Chris Darnell in The FA’s Competitions Department on 020 7745 4617.
This is the second successive season that the final has been staged at Anfield. Northampton side Duke of York overcame Liverpool outfit Allerton 3-1 to lift The FA Sunday Cup in April last year.
Admission to the final, kick-off 3pm, will be £5 for adults and £1 for under 16s and over 65s. Tickets can be bought from the turnstiles on the day of the final from 2pm.
This is the second season that Carlsberg has been The FA’s presenting partner for The FA Sunday Cup and forms an integral part of their support of football in this country.
Carlsberg is also The FA’s presenting partner for The FA Trophy and The FA Vase, highlighting their commitment to non-league and grassroots football.