Amateur footballers across the country are being given a shot at glory following the launch of the Budweiser Open Trials in association with BT Sport.
This will give hopefuls the opportunity to play on the hallowed turf at the home of football, Wembley Stadium.
In a bid to prove it is never too late to achieve your dream, lead FA Cup sponsor, Budweiser, is inviting England’s most talented amateurs aged over 25, to attend one of a series of regional trials, with those who impress going on to a second trial.
It's never too late!
From there, two squads will head to the home of English football and walk out for a showpiece match at Wembley Stadium, one of the greatest stages in football.
Experienced coach and Newcastle assistant manager, John Carver, who was Sir Bobby Robson’s No2 at the club, has been signed up to help put the trialists through their paces.
Carver will set the challenges they have to complete to make it to St. George’s Park.
Applications will open ahead of the weekend of the FA Cup Third Round, with regional trials taking place up and down the country on 7, 8 and 9 February, and a second round of trials happening at St. George’s Park on 10 March.
The final 32 players will then walk out on to the Wembley pitch the day after the second FA Cup Semi-Final, 14 April, to play a 90-minute match.
Christian Flouch, senior brand manager, Budweiser UK said: “We are using the Budweiser Open Trials to give football players the chance to prove it is never too late to achieve your dream, if you want it badly enough.
"Fans can’t fail to get excited about The FA Cup, whether it’s the magic of the Third Round when non-league teams join the big boys, or the day of the Final itself.
"This campaign will give players who believe they’ve got what it takes to be a part of the magic to prove it at the true home of The FA Cup, Wembley.”
The entire process of the Budweiser Open Trials will be documented and featured on Budweiser’s YouTube channel, and also aired exclusively on BT Sport during key FA Cup weekends.
The six regional Budweiser Open Trials will be held at: Parley Sports Club (South West) and Bedfont Sports FC (London) on Friday 7 February; Blyth Town (North East) and AFC Blackpool (North West) on Saturday 8 February; and Pegasus Juniors FC (West Midlands) and Handsworth Junior FC (East Midlands) on Sunday 9 February.
These specially selected clubs are all beneficiaries of grants awarded by Budweiser Club Futures, a community sustainability programme designed to help non-league clubs invest in their future.
To apply for the Budweiser Open Trials visit www.budweiser.co.uk/opentrials
To follow the progress of the trials and for more information on The FA Cup with Budweiser visit: http://youtube.budweiser.co.uk and www.facebook.com/budweiseruk
