The FA is giving children a chance to make their FA Cup dreams a reality – culminating in one fan winning a sleepover with the famous trophy at Wembley the night before the 2014 Final.
The scheme will give boys and girls around the country the chance to live out the dreams of countless football fans from the Third Round through to The Final – with some fans even winning the chance to walk onto the Wembley pitch with the players in the season's showpiece.
The initiative is being launched by FA Cup winner and former Liverpool, Manchester United and England striker Michael Owen in an aim to introduce a new generation to the magic of the world’s oldest domestic Cup competition, famed for its unpredictable moments and legendary giant-killings.
FA Cup Dreams
Owen said: "Winning The FA Cup is something you dream about when you’re playing in the local parks as a boy and I was fortunate enough to not only win it but also score two goals in an extraordinary Final.
"People always talk about the magic of the competition and I think we saw it at its best last season when Wigan defied the odds against Manchester City in The Final – and the Third Round this season has again thrown up a load of David vs Goliath ties in a way no other competition in the world can.
"The FA Cup is one of the most recognisable pieces of silverware in the world and I hope to see the next generation of aspiring footballers fall in love with it the way I did."
Children and families who enter the competition on The FA Cup Facebook page will be chosen at random to win once-in-a-lifetime FA Cup experiences including the chance to win round-by-round sleepovers with the trophy.
The magic of The FA Cup
Under-12s will be given the chance to enter the unique 'FA Cup Dreams' initiative from today, with entries open on Facebook. Winners will be chosen at random ahead of Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Round ties. An overall winner will then be selected to win a sleepover with the trophy for their family at Wembley Stadium the night before The Final.
The initiative is part of a wider FA Cup Dreams campaign launched by The FA this season to take the magic of the competition to a new generation of fans at every participating club throughout the 2013-14 season.
