Ashford United’s Gary Lockyer was officially crowned as the top scorer of the 2024/25 Emirates FA Cup after today’s Final between Manchester City and Crystal Palace at Wembley.
The Golden Ball Award in partnership with Mitre commemorates the highest scorer throughout the competition each season from the extra preliminary round to the Final, and the striker follows Biggleswade Town’s JJ Lacey as its latest recipient.
Lockyer of Ashford United, who play in the Isthmian South East Division in the National League System, scored ten goals in their Emirates FA Cup campaign to hold off the likes of Crystal Palace’s Ebere Eze, Gainsborough Trinity’s Declan Howe and Lowestoft Town’s Harvey Sayer.
He was joined by his family as a guest of the FA at the national stadium for the Emirates FA Cup Final before carrying out the Mitre Ultimax Pro Final match ball prior to kick off and being presented with the Golden Ball Award.
“It’s incredible to finish as the leading scorer in this season’s Emirates FA Cup, and to bring my family to Wembley for the Final to watch me receive the trophy and walk out the match ball,” said Lockyer. “I’m honoured and proud to be awarded the Golden Ball in partnership with Mitre.”
The FA’s director of pro game relations, Andy Ambler, added: “Gary Lockyer is a perfect example of how this competition gives players and clubs across the whole English pyramid the chance to test themselves against the very elite. Gary’s goalscoring feats this season have been outstanding, and we’re delighted that he could be here today with his family in attendance to receive the award and play an important part in the Final.”
