The FA

Every Gamer's joy

Three happy gamers in our Emirates FA Cup competition reflect on their day at Wembley

Tuesday 09 May 2017

There was no shortage of action at Wembley Stadium on Sunday as 64 gamers arrived for our annual Emirates FA Cup Every Gamer’s Adventure competition.

With every club from this season’s third round represented to play out the competition at FIFA 17 on the Playstation 4, it was an intriguing day from start to finish.

And even though Sunderland took the title, with Black Cats fan Alastair Drakesmith beating real-life Cup Finalists Chelsea, controlled by Dave Croker, in the Final there were plenty of interesting stories beyond that.

For instance, Norwich City were led to the last 16 by Zamir Ali who arrived in London on Saturday evening from his native Scotland.

The plot thickens even more, when you consider Zamir had to race to the airport from his role as a physio with Clydebank FC to make sure he was at the event to represent the Canaries, a club he began supporting due to their distinctive yellow shirts and an appreciation for former striker Grant Holt.

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There was also lifelong Peterborough United fan Joe Hart, who was mistaken for the England and Torino goalkeeper of the same name on social media the night before the event, who tried to take his club past Chelsea in the first game before staying on to watch the rest of the tournament unfold.

And Birmingham City fan Parm Singh didn’t let his nerves at Blues’ battle for Championship survival on Sunday affect his gaming as he went on to reach the semi-final and knock out Arsenal in a ‘throw-back’ to the League Cup Final at Wembley in 2011.

You can read all of their accounts of the day below.

Joe Hart - Peterborough United

“I’ve been a Peterborough fan since I was eight, it’s my hometown and it’s great to be here representing them at Wembley.

“I just tweeted my image about the day on Saturday, and someone thought I was the real Joe Hart and asked why I wasn’t playing for Manchester City.

"It was a bit strange, so I commented back a joke about having a transfer and it was a bit surreal.

“It was a tough one [against Chelsea], but when the real FA Cup draw happened I was pretty happy for us to play them, it was a great trip and I went to the game but I wasn’t so happy to play them in this tournament.

“I play FIFA most days and practice a lot with my housemates and that was how I came to be here.

“The standard has pretty high, there's been a great atmosphere, so it’s been a good day and I’ve enjoyed it."

“I’ve been a Peterborough fan since I was eight, it’s my hometown and it’s great to be here representing them at Wembley.

“I just tweeted my image about the day on Saturday, and someone thought I was the real Joe Hart and asked why I wasn’t playing for Manchester City.

"It was a bit strange, so I commented back a joke about having a transfer and it was a bit surreal.

“It was a tough one [against Chelsea], but when the real FA Cup draw happened I was pretty happy for us to play them, it was a great trip and I went to the game but I wasn’t so happy to play them in this tournament.

“I play FIFA most days and practice a lot with my housemates and that was how I came to be here.

“The standard has pretty high, there's been a great atmosphere, so it’s been a good day and I’ve enjoyed it."

“I’ve been a Peterborough fan since I was eight, it’s my hometown and it’s great to be here representing them at Wembley.

“I just tweeted my image about the day on Saturday, and someone thought I was the real Joe Hart and asked why I wasn’t playing for Manchester City.

"It was a bit strange, so I commented back a joke about having a transfer and it was a bit surreal.

“It was a tough one [against Chelsea], but when the real FA Cup draw happened I was pretty happy for us to play them, it was a great trip and I went to the game but I wasn’t so happy to play them in this tournament.

“I play FIFA most days and practice a lot with my housemates and that was how I came to be here.

“The standard has pretty high, there's been a great atmosphere, so it’s been a good day and I’ve enjoyed it."

“I’ve been a Peterborough fan since I was eight, it’s my hometown and it’s great to be here representing them at Wembley.

“I just tweeted my image about the day on Saturday, and someone thought I was the real Joe Hart and asked why I wasn’t playing for Manchester City.

"It was a bit strange, so I commented back a joke about having a transfer and it was a bit surreal.

“It was a tough one [against Chelsea], but when the real FA Cup draw happened I was pretty happy for us to play them, it was a great trip and I went to the game but I wasn’t so happy to play them in this tournament.

“I play FIFA most days and practice a lot with my housemates and that was how I came to be here.

“The standard has pretty high, there's been a great atmosphere, so it’s been a good day and I’ve enjoyed it."

“I’ve been a Peterborough fan since I was eight, it’s my hometown and it’s great to be here representing them at Wembley.

“I just tweeted my image about the day on Saturday, and someone thought I was the real Joe Hart and asked why I wasn’t playing for Manchester City.

"It was a bit strange, so I commented back a joke about having a transfer and it was a bit surreal.

“It was a tough one [against Chelsea], but when the real FA Cup draw happened I was pretty happy for us to play them, it was a great trip and I went to the game but I wasn’t so happy to play them in this tournament.

“I play FIFA most days and practice a lot with my housemates and that was how I came to be here.

“The standard has pretty high, there's been a great atmosphere, so it’s been a good day and I’ve enjoyed it."

Zamir Ali - Norwich City

“I’ve played in competitive gaming clubs for a while and I’ve just been waiting for an opportunity to go abroad and play, so this was the next best thing, especially at Wembley, it’s one of the best stadiums in the world.

“To be here, next to the pitch and the changing rooms, it’s been a great experience and we’ve had a lovely welcome here.

“I was working yesterday as a physio with Clydebank FC and I had to get a flight here at 6.30pm on Saturday, so it was all worth it in the end when I got to the last 16.

“They {Clydebank] were worried I was going to leave the game earlier, but thankfully there were no injuries in the game.

“I support Norwich for a few reasons, as Grant Holt was always my favourite player and when Norwich got promoted I thought it was amazing. They’re a great club, good fans and backing with good players too.

“The colours of bright yellow too, and with Grant Holt and having had a Scottish manager in Alex Neil, I’ve always had a special attachment to them.

“It’s been a once in a lifetime experience and it’s been an unbelievable atmosphere all day, with gaming people coming together to be friends and play each other.

“It’s been a brilliant idea and I hope we get something similar in Scotland, so I’m going to email about it.

“Today has brought people from all walks of life, genders and cultures together. We’ve seen people staying on to cheer on the person who beat them in the previous round, so it’s been a really social event as well as a gaming event."

Parm Singh - Birmingham City

“I originally applied as a bit of a joke with my mates, I never thought I’d get through and here I am on the day!

“I’ve really enjoyed the day, to be honest. My mate was meant to come with me, but in the end I came by myself and all the staff have been friendly and lovely.

“The event has been well organised and it’s been a great day.

“I never thought I’d be behind the scenes at Wembley. Even when I went into the changing rooms to play one of my games, I never thought I’d be sat there – it’s amazing.

“I thought on the day I could beat anyone, but that depends on the other gamers.

“But I managed to beat Arsenal at Wembley so that was a throwback to the League Cup Final and it proves the lower league teams can beat the Premier League .teams

“But to represent my club at Wembley was great, even though all my mind was on Blues' game at Bristol City and I think everyone heard me shout when we scored during the draw earlier.”

By Nicholas Veevers Content Manager - FA Owned Channels