Thirty thousand people entered The FA People's Cup and only 58 teams remain... Monday is Finals Day as the tournament reaches the business end.
Small-sided provider Goals in Manchester plays host to the showdown with the prize of illusive tickets to the FA Cup Final at stake for the valiant winners.
The FA People's Cup
Finals Day
Manchester Goals
Monday 25 May 2015
So it is no wonder teams are getting serious – and the adult men’s and women’s tournaments are particularly hotly contested.
Rupinder Panesar, team captain for Leicester-based men’s adult team Twisted Cinnamon FC says the lads certainly have the bit between their teeth – and are no doubt working on the penalty kicks.
“We have been unlucky in two national finals in succession – having lost on penalties in both. This time we intend to win,” he said.
Cinnamon are no slouches. Several of the lads play between three and four times a week and their squad includes three players who have proved good enough to secure trials for England representative sides at six-a-side.
For one of the players, Tom Reid, the stakes are even higher – as a supporter of Arsenal, a victory gives him an opportunity to cheer his FA Cup Final heroes on in person.
Bristol Academy mascot Vicky the Vixen
Reid said: “What an amazing feeling it would be to watch my boyhood team play at Wembley and go on to win? It would definitely be one of the high points of my life. What more can a supporter ask for?’
Among the favourites in the women’s adult category are Bristol-based Terry’s Sidechicks.
And in the guise of goalkeeper, Estelle Randall they have a player who knows a thing or two about how to get behind her team. Estelle is also known as Vicky the Vixen – the official mascot for Bristol Academy FA WSL team.
Team manager Lauren Smith said: “They are a great group of girls from the college team who have a great team spirit. They have been playing a lot of small sided games recently so hopefully that will help them prepare for the final.”
Estelle who is another Arsenal fan said: "I think we have a decent chance, there's positive vibes throughout the whole team and we are looking forward to it.
"'You don't win silver, you lose gold' – this is how we are thinking about going into the tournament. It's all or nothing from the girls, and luckily we have youth on our side!"
