IT’S been 150 years since Clapham Rovers’ Jarvis Kenrick scored the first ever FA Cup goal against Upton Park – now a selection of the world famous competition’s inaugural clubs are coming together to mark the special anniversary.
Dubbed The Generation Cup, it is aiming to celebrate inclusiveness where club legends of yesteryear can share the same pitch with players of today.
Split into three groups of three, the teams will play 60-minute matches with the winners of each group through to the Finals held at St George’s Park on Saturday, March 13, 2022.
Hitchin Town‘s Top Field stages the first set of games on Sunday, October 31 where the hosts will meet Maidenhead United and a Crystal Palace side managed by Mark Bright and set to feature former England striker Andy Johnson.
On Sunday, November 7, Reigate Priory will host the other group matches where they will play first-ever winners The Wanderers and Upton Park, with Civil Service, Royal Engineers and Clapham Rovers battling it out in the other group.
Matches will be made up of 30-minute halves, with teams required to have a minimum of three players aged over 50 on the pitch at all times, and a maximum of five under 40 on the pitch at any one time.
Jon Hunter, chairman of Upton Park, hopes the games will be a fitting nod to the FA Cup’s fine history and tradition.
“Any of the clubs who were involved right from the very beginning have the FA Cup very close to their heart,” Hunter told The NLP.
“I’ve always been close with Royal Engineers and Clapham Rovers, who we’ve played a game against, and there was a desire to do something – somebody suggested, how about a tournament between the clubs.
“That’s not an easy thing to do because you’ve got all different standards, how do you do it?
“In the past we’ve played this Generation Cup style of football and I’ve always loved it because it’s very inclusive and it brings the older part of a club together with the younger part of a club. The idea that really lends itself to it.
“I’ve been chatting to Phil Annets – he’s the bible of the FA Cup stats – and there’s a bit in his book about the reasons he loves the FA Cup. Every game is important, it connects the bottom of the Pyramid with the top of the Pyramid and it connec ts the beginning of the game with the present day game.
“For me, to be able to get Crystal Palace playing at the top of the tree and others who are playing Sunday football, you’ve got the top of the Pyramid and the bottom in this tournament.
“The clubs all love the FA Cup and are all representing their areas and the beginning of football in those areas.”
It’s expected there will be guest players making appearances on the day with Hunter describing it as the Ultimate Dream Team of players old and new, which will make for entertaining games for spectators.
“It’s for the clubs, by the clubs,” Hunter added. For everyone who loves the FA Cup, it’s supposed to be a touch of the cap to those who started it off.
“I hope it’s a worthy celebration, the supporters embrace and enjoy it while seeing some young talent alongside some old legends.”
