ALVECHURCH FC welcomed a very special guest to their club this week – as the FA Cup made an appearance.
The Emirates FA Cup arrived at Lye Meadow on Wednesday as the Midland Football League club prepares to face Hanley Town FC in The Emirates FA Cup preliminary round this Saturday, August 19.
The cup is a 2014 replica, made by Thomas Lyte, handcrafted in sterling 925 silver over 250 hours – and it weighs around 6.3 kilograms (14 pounds).
Alvechurch FC has a unique place in the competition’s historic books, winning the longest ever FA Cup fixture – an 11 hour, six match marathon tie in the 4th Qualifying Round against Oxford City, 46 years ago.
Players and fans were given a chance to see the prestigious cup up close and the opportunity to look back at the club’s historic FA Cup tie, which was included in the Guinness Book of Records – now never to be beaten after the advent of penalty shoot-outs at the end of the first replay.
Arsenal are the current FA Cup champions, beating Chelsea in the final of 2016.
