The Semi-Finals of The FA Carlsberg Sunday Cup are being played this weekend.
Oyster Martyrs from the Liverpool & District Sunday League meet Plough FC Wellington from the Telford Sunday League at Marine FC, while Humbledon Plains Farm from the Sunderland Sunday League take on Hundred Acre from the Festival League (Birmingham area) at Hartlepool United FC.
In the early 1960s, The FA decided to allow Sunday Leagues to become affiliated for the first time and we started our own FA Sunday Cup competition for what were then known as ‘amateur’ footballers.
The FA Sunday Cup Semi-Finals will be played this weekend
In the first season, teams representing Sunday players within the various County Associations entered and London won the first Final, 6-2 on aggregate against Staffordshire.
Since then the competition has been open to club sides, with The Final played at a neutral ground. Now in its 50th season, it continues to give Sunday League clubs a chance to compete outside their own locality against clubs at a similar level in a national FA competition.
Oyster Martyrs are the holders, having beaten Barnes Albion 4-3 in last season’s Final at Burton Albion FC. They also lifted The Cup in 2011. Sunday’s opponents, Plough FC Wellington, were only formed four years ago and the core of their side is made up of players from Shifnal Town, who play in the West Midlands (Regional) League.
Watch video highlights of last year's Sunday Cup Final
Hosts Marine FC play in the Northern Premier League and their Arriva Stadium is in College Road, Crosby L23 3AS. Crosby is just north of Liverpool.
Humbledon Plains Farm were formed in 1971 and have risen from Division Five to the Premiership in the Sunderland Sunday League. They won The FA Sunday Cup back in 1990.
Hundred Acre, who play in Sutton Coldfield, were formed in 1976 and former England internationals Gordon Cowans and Michael Ricketts have worn their all-blue strip.
Their hosts on Sunday, Hartlepool United FC, play in League Two. Their Victoria Park ground, where Manchester United have played in The FA Cup, is in Clarence Road, Hartlepool, TS24 8BZ.
This season’s FA Carlsberg Sunday Cup Final is scheduled for Sunday 27 April at a venue to be decided.
