The FA Carlsberg Sunday Cup
Sunday 5 November 2006 
Fourth Round
Winning clubs receive £400



Coundon Conservative Club have got a secret weapon in their ranks as they bid for FA Sunday Cup glory – Pele!

The team is managed by Paul Aldsworth – better known to his mates as Pele. Unlike the Brazilian superstar, however, he also doubles up as kit man, secretary and anything else that might resemble an important role at the club – and that includes washing the kit!

He explained: “I do everything. You name it, I do it!”

His nickname was given to him by an impressed younger brother after he scored a wonder goal as an eight-year-old on the local green. And it’s a name that’s stuck.

And now he would love to emulate his famous namesake and get his hands on a trophy, in his case the pot for winning Sunday football’s premier competition.

Coundon are taking part in the competition for the very first time and the Darlington-based club are looking forward to a weekend clash with Liverpool’s Pablo Derby Arms in the last 16.

Hailing from a former pit village near Bishop Auckland, Coundon’s qualification for this stage has not been an easy task.

Before this Sunday’s home draw, they had been left wondering what they had done to upset the Gods having been drawn away from home in every round.

Elland FC were their first victims in a 3-0 win, but their joy at progressing to the Second Round was somewhat dampened when news broke of the side they had been drawn to meet next – defending champions Hetton Lyons.

Aldsworth said: “When I heard the draw, I thought we going out. They’re a really good side and we expected a really tough game.”

However, caution would soon turn to jubilation after Coundon edged through the contest on penalties.

Thinking that their luck could not get any worse, another away draw pitted them against tournament favourites, Liverpool Paddock, in the Third Round, but a spirited performance saw them come from behind to run out 2-1 winners.

And the dream of reaching the final on April 29 at Anfield is now well and truly alive, but ‘Pele’ is keeping his feet firmly on the ground.

He said: “We’re taking it week by week. We’ve taken nothing for granted so far, but hopefully we can keep it up.

“It would be an absolute dream if we went to Anfield. We only entered to test ourselves against other teams up and down the country, and we haven’t even talked about reaching the final.

“It’s just nice to be at home at long last, so we can play in front of our friends and family.”