AS Warrington Wolves prepare for their Challenge Cup final showdown with Leeds Rhinos on Saturday their footballing neighbours Warrington Town will be embarking on their own road to Wembley in the FA Cup.
Town will be stepping out in the preliminary round of the FA Cup at North West Counties Atherton LR on Saturday,kick off 3pm, anxious to avoid an early exit from the money spinning competition.
Warrington have never managed to make the first round proper of the competition and face a monumental task to do so,having to win five qualifying rounds.
The best they have ever managed is a 4th qualifying round replay.
The preliminary round of the competition always clashes with the Challenge Cup Final and provides a dilemma for club officials and supporters who are also rugby fans.
Football Club Chairman Gary Skentelbery, a life long Wolves fan, said: “It causes a real dilemma for many of us at the football club but we have our loyal followers who will be cheering us on at Atherton.
“I was down at Wembley cheering on the Wolves at the last two Wembley finals but this time I have opted for the F.A Cup.
“It is a hugely important competition for non league football clubs as the financial rewards are quite significant as well as the extra profile it can bring a club.
“Our dream is to take the club to the first round proper as there is every chance we would be one of the smallest clubs left in the competition, which always attracts a lot of media interest.
“We have big ambitions for this club and reaching the first round proper of the most famous cup competition in the world would certainly help us on our journey.
“But I will also have one eye on what is going on at Wembley and hopefully be cheering on a double success for our town.
“The two events may be worlds apart but the passion will be just the same.”
While the Wolves are no strangers to Wembley with their third visit in four years, Warrington Town are this season commemorating the 25th anniversary of their own Wembley appearance in the FA Vase final in 1987.
Pictures shows Wolves skipper Adrian Morley lifting the cup at Wembley in 2010 and Warrington Town’s Wembley squad from 1987.
A tale of two cups!
00 Comments
Share.
About Author
Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
