England’s record goalscorer Kelly Smith has said she wishes she could sign up to The FA People’s Cup this season.
The deadline to sign up to the 2016 campaign of the People’s Cup is on Friday 15 January and only players from the amateur side of the game can enter.
And despite that ruling out the former Arsenal Ladies and Lionesses star, she believes the competition offers a great opportunity for teams and individuals in all of its ten categories.
The FA People's Cup
First Round: 22-24 January 2016
Categories: Adult Male, Adult Female, U16 Boys, U16 Girls, U14 Boys, U14 Girls, Male Veterans, Female Veterans, Walking Football (Over 50s & mixed), Disability
Click here to find a local heat and register
“I’d definitely be playing, I love five-a-side football and it’s pretty much what I grew up on in my youth, playing in a small, tight area," said Smith.
"There’s a category for everyone, from youth, adult, walking football and if you want to go and have fun and play this wonderful game that we all love, then the closing date is on Friday!"
It’s completely free to enter the People’s Cup and those who are successful could even end up at Wembley Stadium next May for The Emirates FA Cup Final.
You don’t even need to be part of a team to play, as individuals can register and meet new team-mates ahead of the first round next weekend.
And Smith, who scored 46 goals in 117 appearances for the Lionesses and has lifted The Women’s FA Cup, admits she’s a little envious of those able to put a team together and enter.
"It’s regardless of your ability, whether you’re a high end player that plays in a club team or if you don’t really play that often, you can still go along and become part of a team," she added.
Kelly Smith is England's record goalscorer with 46 goals in 117 appearances
"So everybody can get involved and it’s a competitive knock-out cup and it’s got the romance of The FA Cup.
"Everyone loves The FA Cup and supporting their team in that, but now you can get yourself involved in that and I think it’s fantastic.
"I think if I wasn’t a professional, I’d want to be looking at four or five other people to put myself with!"
There are ten different categories in which you can play and small-sided venues across England are hosting fixtures so there is something for everyone, regardless of whether you are part of a team or not.
Those different categories are as follows: Adult Male, Adult Female, U16 Boys, U16 Girls, U14 Boys, U14 Girls, Male Veterans, Female Veterans, Walking Football (Over 50s & mixed) and Disability.
The first round will be taking place between 22–24 January and ahead of that weekend, there will be a series of squad-building events around the country, enabling individuals without existing teams to sign up, meet potential team-mates ahead of the games and talk tactics. These events will happen the weekend before in order to give individuals the time to meet new team-mates.
For full details on The FA People’s Cup and to enter, click here.
