Merseyside derby remains the dream for AFC Liverpool

Thursday 27 Aug 2015
There are 160 preliminary round ties taking place this weekend, starting on Friday
Manager Paul Moore hopes AFC Liverpool can successfully take the second step on their path to an unlikely meeting with their seven-time Emirates FA Cup winning namesakes when they kick off the preliminary round against Radcliffe Borough on Friday.

Moore has been in charge of the Reds for three quarters of their eight-year existence and a victory under the lights at the Arriva Stadium would write a new chapter in their short history.

Progression to the first qualifying round for the first time would still leave AFC Liverpool at least eight rounds away from playing their Premier League neighbours.

AFC Liverpool v Radcliffe Borough

The Emirates FA Cup
Preliminary Round
7.45pm, Friday 27 August 2015
Arriva Stadium, Widnes
Winners receive £1950 from prize fund
By Joshua Richards

And though a suggestion of the tie taking place comes tongue-in-cheek from Moore, he still hopes this season can see them break new ground.

"The FA Cup is a massive competition, everyone in the world knows about it, and now is our chance to have a Cup run," he said. "Who knows, maybe one day we could play Liverpool in it!

"Eight years ago we were formed and we are all about offering affordable football. We try to give a lot back to the community. 

"We are trying to give supporters somewhere to go and watch a game on a Saturday, have a pint, a pie, bring your children and your grandchildren, just as you could some years ago. We’re not a political club, we’re just a club who wants to play football and enjoy football.

"I’m just hoping the lads don’t freeze on the night with it being The FA Cup. I hope they apply themselves well and give a good account of ourselves."

While AFC Liverpool have enjoyed an unbeaten start to the season, which included a 9-2 win over Chadderton in the extra preliminary round, opponents Radcliffe Borough have endured a testing time.

The Emirates FA Cup

The Emirates FA Cup continues this weekend with the preliminary round

Four defeats in a row for the Evo-Stik First Division North club has hardly set them up nicely for a trip to Merseyside.

But Boro have a strong recent history in the competition, having twice made the fourth qualifying round since the turn of the century and even reached the first round proper in 2000-01, losing 4-1 to York City.

And manager Danny Johnson is confident that can continue this term.

"I would love to manage a team in the first round of The FA Cup, that has been my dream since the first day I started managing and it will remain my dream until I achieve it," he said.

"We’ve had a tough start against the top teams in our league, but I’m pleased with the attitude the players have shown and fingers crossed we can continue that on Friday.

"I’m very fortunate to have a good group of honest, hard-working players. So we’ll go there with lots of courage and belief that we can win. We’ll go there in good spirits and look at The FA Cup as a chance to start afresh.

"The club is really struggling financially, so myself and the chairman are always trying to generate some new business. So if we can achieve a nice cup run that’s great for publicity and also to boost the bank account.

"But, putting money to one side, I just love managing in The FA Cup."

By FA Staff