Eleven lucky teams are off to Wembley after being crowned FA People's Cup champions as the competition reached its crescendo over the weekend.
More than 35,000 players from over 4,000 sides entered the competition at the start of the year, with only a fraction of those making it through to finals day at Goals in Sheffield.
2016 FA People's Cup champions
U14 BOYS: Sandwell Academy
U16 BOYS: St. John's Wood FC
U14 GIRLS: Harvesters Ladies
U16 GIRLS: Frampton Rangers
LADIES: A-Town Ladies
LADIES VETS: Hackney Jurassics
U16 DISABILITY: Grange Academy
DISABILITY: Midtown
MEN: Hunters
MEN VETS: Liberties Vets
WALKING FOOTBALL: Grimsby Ancient Mariners
Finals day saw teams across 11 categories do battle in an initial group stage for the right to face off in showpiece finals, which would determine the overall winners of the competition. The FA People's Cup debuted in 2015 and, following its resounding success, returned this year with many of last year's participants returning.The 11 winning teams would be invited to May's Emirates FA Cup final, meaning there was a bit carrot for those heading to Sheffield on Sunday. The day kicked off with boys’ and girls’ teams from the under-14 and under-16 categories playing out their group stage fixtures.
Youngsters in action at The FA People's Cup finals
Group A (U14 boys) was won by Haverhill Rovers, who went up against Group B victors Sandwell Academy in the first final of the afternoon – and it was the latter who left Sheffield as champions, having run out 4-2 winners, thanks in part to two goals inside the opening minute!
Next up was the U16 girls’ final, which was contested by Group G winners Frampton Rangers and Group H table-toppers (and beaten 2015 finalists) Ole United. It was to be another goal-laden final, as Bristol-based Frampton saw off their Manchester opponents by five goals to two.
The U14 girls’ final was not far behind, as Doncaster Belles and Harvesters Ladies made it through after topping Groups E and F respectively. It was the latter who took the honours back to St. Albans, winning 3-1.
U14 girls' champions Frampton Rovers
Then came the U16 boys’ final, pitting St. John’s Wood of Group C up against Pompey Chimes of Group D. It was the former who triumphed, with their 3-1 victory sparking perhaps the wildest celebrations of the day.
St. John's Wood's jubilant goalkeeper
With the junior champions decided, it was time to crown the winners of the women’s FA People’s Cup. London-based Group I winners She Can Play came up against Nottingham’s A-Town Ladies, who had triumphed in Group J. This one proved something of a thriller, as the Nottingham outfit snatched a last-minute goal to win 3-2.
It was then swiftly onto the disability finals. First up was the under-16 category, where there was something of a local derby as the Bedfordshire County FA side faced off against another Beds-based side in the Grange Academy, having won Groups L and M respectively. This final was perhaps the most closely-contested of the day, with Grange storming into a three-goal lead only for it to become 3-3. Grange saw a fourth goal cancelled out as it finished 4-4 after normal time, but they showed great resolve to win 3-2 on penalties.
Grange Academy's players celebrate their shootout win
The adult’s disability final saw a comfortable triumph for Lincolnshire side Midtown, who triumphed in Group O before beating Group N winners Cottingham Rangers Cougars by four goals to one.
As the day moved towards its latter stages, the Hackney Jurassics took home the women’s veterans’ prize after a 4-0 victory over FURD (Football Unites, Racism Divides).
Women's veterans champions Hackney Jurassics
It was then the turn of the men’s veterans sides to face off, as 2015 finalists Tuttle United looked to right the wrongs of last year as they took on Liberties Vets. However, there was to be heartache once more as Liberties edged the final 3-2.
The day’s penultimate final was a battle of the competition’s best two walking football sides – from the community schemes of Sheffield United and Grimsby Town. The Blades might well have been favourites to win in their home city, but the Grimsby Ancient Mariners delighted a large travelling support by sneaking the title as 1-0 winners.
Celebration time for walking football champions Grimsby Ancient Mariners
And so it all came down to the day’s last final to determine the men’s champions as 2015 winners Hunters looked to retain their title as they took on Preston Revolution. The final was by far the tightest of the afternoon, with Hunters’ early lead quickly cancelled out. With the game finishing 1-1, it all came down to penalties as the 2015 champions edged a tight shootout with dusk falling in Sheffield.
The vital penalty that sealed the destination of the men's FA People's Cup title
The 11 winners head back to their respective towns and counties with silverware in the bag, knowing that they have a date at the national stadium for May's Emirates FA Cup final.
More importantly, though, many of 2016's 4,000-plus People's Cup participants will continue playing regular football – something crucial to the competition's aims and objectives.
Inspired by The FA People's Cup? Find out how you can get involved with football at thefa.com/takepart. Look out for highlights from The FA People's Cup finals on the BBC Red Button on Saturday 26 March at 12.50pm.
