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'Abide With Me' to be performed by fans of 14 clubs at Emirates FA Cup Final

Monday 14 May 2018
The singing of 'Abide With Me' is part of FA Cup Final tradition

The traditional FA Cup Final hymn 'Abide with Me' will be sung by fans of 14 clubs from across the football pyramid on Saturday 19 May.

A number of clubs were invited following their exploits in contributing to a memorable season in the Emirates FA Cup.

The clubs who accepted the invitation to take part are AC London, Bath City, Boreham Wood, Chelsea, Coventry City, Fleetwood Town, Framlingham Town, Hereford, Litherland REMYCA, Manchester United, Newport County, Notts County, Truro City and Wigan Athletic.

Sporting their club colours, the individuals nominated by their clubs will form the ’For All’ choir and take centre stage on the pitch before kick-off alongside four vocalists from the RAF.

Andy Ambler, The FA’s head of professional game relations said: “The singing of ‘Abide with Me’ remains one of the iconic moments on Cup Final day and we wanted to use this moment to recognise clubs across the football pyramid who have made it such a special season in the Emirates FA Cup.

“We are grateful to the clubs who selected such deserving representatives and wish them a very special day.”

Members of the ’For All’ choir include:

  • Prince Choudary, founder, manager and chairman of AC London

Choudary formed AC London when he was just 16 years old after the London riots in 2011. He is one of the youngest managers and chairman in the history of The FA Cup and he guided AC London into this season’s preliminary round for the first time in their history.

  • Kerry Harrison, Chelsea fan

Harrison, 20, is a lifelong Chelsea fan who recently suffered from leukaemia and had to undertake intensive chemotherapy treatment. Now in remission, Harrison is back on the pitch and points to football as an integral part of his recovery.

  • Lily Cullen, volunteer and staff member at the Manchester United Foundation

Cullen has been involved with the Manchester United Foundation since she was 13, volunteering for hundreds of hours. Currently working on her Level 2 coaching qualification, she has become a role model to many young girls across the north west and a wonderful ambassador for the club.

  • Sean Edwards, lifelong fan of Newport County and local poet

Edwards penned ‘A Cup Run For All’, a poem celebrating Newport County’s run in the Cup, which saw them draw with Tottenham Hotspur in the fourth round at Rodney Parade. Edwards has been a Newport County fan since the late 1970s.

By FA Staff