England legend Kelly Smith says The FA People’s Cup took her back to the days when she learned her trade as a budding young player.
The Arsenal Ladies player coach went along to the London City Powerleague on Saturday to see some of the first round action in the Girls U14, U16 and Senior categories.
And she admits that just watching the games and sampling the atmosphere, at what was just one of more than 120 venues nationwide, gave her itchy feet.
The FA People's Cup
Second Round: 27-28 February 2016
Categories: Adult Male, Adult Female, U16 Boys, U16 Girls, U14 Boys, U14 Girls, Male Veterans, Female Veterans, Walking Football (Over 50s & mixed), Disability
"It was buzzing when I got there and it was great to see so many girls and women playing," Smith told TheFA.com.
"They [the players] were all really excited to get going and I just told them to have fun and enjoy it, but it was really good to see so many people turn up.
"I saw all kinds of people, there were some who don’t have chance to play for a team every week so they had just come along to see how it went and get involved and be healthy.
"I grew up playing five-a-side football so that’s pretty much where I learned my trade, playing in tight areas and using the ball so it brought back a lot of my memories from when I used to play on the park and in five-a-side competitions with the togetherness of your team.
"So It was just good to be about it."
With the People’s Cup running alongside The Emirates FA Cup and offering amateur players their own shot at glory, with winners attending May’s Cup Final at Wembley, over 34,000 players and 4000 teams have entered the 2016 competition.
And having won the Women’s FA Cup herself, Smith knows what it feels like to be striving for success.
Im at @powerleagueUK supporting #PeoplesCup @FA @bbcgetinspired Great to see so many womens teams of all levels competing & having fun! 😄
— Kelly Smith (@kelly_smith10) January 23, 2016
"The goal when you sign up is to lift the trophy or go as far as you can and hopefully be at Wembley at the end of it all," she explained.
"So the teams were all very competitive out there, with loads of characters and some very good players.
"I’m lucky enough to have made a living and a career out of football and a lot of these girls aspire to do that and perhaps live that dream.
"But this is a great opportunity for them to live that dream for now and be in this competition, with the romance of The FA Cup.
"Everyone loves it and you know it’s the best competition in the world, not just in England, so it’s amazing to be a part of it."
After three days of FA People's Cup first round action over the weekend, those teams who have progressed will now be in the second round which takes place over on 27 and 28 February.
