The 2024-25 Emirates FA Cup begins tomorrow, with over 200 Extra Preliminary Round ties set to take place across the country this weekend, and the competition’s iconic trophy has been to Kendal Town in Cumbria during the build-up.
The Mintcakes are the only team from the small county of Westmorland who will compete in the cup and its appearance before their game against Guisborough Town – who they coincidentally beat in the league earlier this week – added to the excitement locally.
Numerous officials, players, volunteers and fans of the non-league club were in attendance at the Parkside Road Stadium in Kendal this week to see the silverware in person and have their photos taken with it.
The club’s chairman Michael O'Neill, said: “It’s an amazing opportunity to host the famous trophy. We are very proud and thankful that we could do this for the town, and more importantly for its children who hopefully fall in love with the competition as we all did at their age.”
Kendall Town have enjoyed various Emirates FA Cup runs over the years, with notable appearances in the Second Round Proper during both the 1949-50 and 1963-64 seasons, and they are hoping to build on them in this campaign.
O' Neill added: “I’d love to see Kendal Town make the First Round Proper. We got so close in 2010 when I was with the club as a coach, and it would bring us revenue and further exposure.”
The winners of their match will play either Newcastle Benfield or Knaresborough Town in the Preliminary Round over the weekend of Saturday 17 August.
Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round ties near you this weekend can be found here.
