road to cardiff

[Southport - TOWNER]

from nonleaguedaily.com

 

Football fans can enhance the magic of this year's FA Cup by giving local clubs and schools the chance to net thousands of pounds' worth of football kit and equipment.

 

The early stages of the 123rd FA Cup will see 198 teams do battle in the first qualifying round on

September 13th. The FA, in partnership with UMBRO and TheFA.com, is launching an exciting new 'Player of the Round' award scheme, giving fans the chance to back their boys on and off the pitch.

 

The winning player of the round will receive up to £3000 worth of UMBRO football kit and equipment for the school, club or organisation of his choice - so fans will want to make sure their favourites clock up plenty of votes!

 

As the long road to the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff gradually unwinds, the FA Cup Player of the Round

competition will run in 11 rounds right through to the semi-final stage in April.

 

FA partner UMBRO will provide a total of £15,000 worth of kit and equipment. In addition, each player of the round will receive a trophy to recognise his achievement.

 

"Every year the FA Cup underlines its status as the greatest domestic knock-out competition in the world -

full of drama, tension and inevitably the odd upset when match favourites come unstuck against the underdogs," said Paul Barber, FA director of marketing and communications.

 

"It's a competition which invariably throws up heroes and villains - and we're pleased we can add to the

excitement by giving supporters a chance to highlight some of their heroes round by round."

 

A shortlist of three nominees will be selected by The FA after each round, starting after the first qualifying round on September 13th. Fans can then vote on-line for the player they feel should win the prestigious award by visiting www.TheFA.com and a winner will be announced a week later.

 

Eddie May, UK marketing manager for UMBRO International, said: "The FA Cup is one of the most famous sporting competitions in the world. It connects football together at every level, offering teams and players a chance of glory from the first qualifying round through to the final, and we're delighted to be associated with it.

 

"This new player of the round initiative allows UMBRO to recognise the performance of individual players at every stage of the competition. Crucially, it also gives us the opportunity to help the development of football at the grass roots by donating £15,000 worth of kit to football causes up and down the country."

 

 

[lanceyboyuk]

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